Reeling from a second straight overtime loss to the (5-0) Comets, the (2-3) Rockets needed to refocus as they took to the court to face the (0-4) Sonics to close out week 4 in the JCC of Bayonne Indoor Soccer Sr. Division. Taking advantage of a sluggish start by the Rockets, the Sonics exploded out to a 3-0 lead as Jaiden Garcia (2 goals) and Jacob Rivera (1 goal, 2 assists) racked up goals with Drew Radil pitching in with a long distance assist. Having their first victory well insight, the Sonics began to flinch as Matteo Capurso railed in two quick goals with Christopher Caballero notching two assists. Still holding a slim 3-2 lead with just 5 minutes remaining the Sonics hunkered down with Mariam Rasslan and Sebastian Echeverry dog fighting every Rockets’ advance. Throwing “the kitchen sink” at the Sonics, Aaliyana Cifuentes, Jason Herbert and Ezekiel Lupainez tried in vain to gain some ground for the Rockets. Ten seconds away from their first victory, the Sonics suffered a defensive lapse just long enough for Caballero to assist Capurso on his game tying third goal of the game to force another overtime shootout. With bitter memories of two overtime defeats still echoing in their heads, the Rockets’ Raul Cortinas played the hero’s role by bulling in the game winner giving his squad a 4-3 O.T. win.
Week 4 Sr. Division
Offensive Player of the Week: Matteo Capurso – Rockets
Defensive Player of the Week: Drew Radil – Sonics
Teamwork/Leadership Player of the Week: Christopher Caballero – Rockets
