HAMILTON >> Thirteen has not exactly been an unlucky number for the Steinert varsity boys soccer team, but then again it has not truly been a lucky number for the Spartans either eight games into the 2017 season.
You see 13 is the number of goals coach Anthony Tessein’s team has scored so far, and it is also the number of goals it has allowed.
That leaves Steinert one game above .500 (thanks to a tie) after a frustrating, 2-1 loss to Jackson Memorial Saturday.
It was frustrating because the game was decided with 2:51 left on a penalty kick. The first 77 minutes, the Spartans were even with the 7-1 Jaguars.
“We can’t allow one play to define a game for us like that,” second-year head coach Tessein said.
Jackson Memorial proved to be luckier at this point in the season when Dan Russo stepped up to connect on his second goal of the game after his teammate, Andrew Keating, was tripped in the box by a Steinert defender.
Yet, it was not for a lack of trying by the Spartans.
The home team had twice as many shots in the game as did the Jaguars, however, Steinert could only make good when senior Tristan Spadola led his 6-foot-4 classmate, Brandon Bajzath, to tie the score in the first half.
“I stayed along the endline as Tristan sent the ball in. That’s where I needed to be,” Bajzath said.
It was the first goal of the season for Bajzath, a senior reserve who usually plays center-midfield, but was utilized on the left wing against Jackson Memorial.
“I haven’t had a lot of time on the field, so I’m still trying to prove I should be out there,” Bajzath said.
His desire and contribution did not go unnoticed.
“Brandon deserved that goal,” Tessein said. “He understands exactly what we’re trying to do.”
Like their coach, Bajzath and his teammates know what they need to do more consistently – score!
“Putting the ball in the net has been our issue,” Bajzath said. “We do well working the ball to the final third, then we can’t finish.”
“We’re very aware the goals aren’t coming as frequently as we want them to,” Tessein said. “I’m of the belief that a few guys are just slumping. I believe it’s coming.”
The Spartans are aware the road ahead will be no easier. They have games over the next two weeks with Hopewell Valley, Trenton, West Windsor-Plainsboro South, Lawrence and Hightstown.
“The games we have coming up will be tough. You have to rise to the occasion,” Tessein told his troops after Saturday’s decision.
One way to start is by making sure 13 is only unlucky for them when it comes to goals allowed.
Jackson Memorial (7-1) 1 1 – 2 Steinert (4-3-1) 1 0 – 1
Goals – Russo 2 (JM), Bajzath (S).
Assists – Schnaak (JM), Spadola (S).
Shots – 7 (JM), 14 (S).
Saves – Kinzler 8 (JM), Kozemchak 5 (S).
