Roadrunner men's soccer coach George Hobbins knows the benefits of having a healthy lineup available entering the Region XIX playoffs.
Everything runs a lot smoother.
Take Saturday's 5-0 victory over visiting Delaware County Community College, helping the No. 6 seed Roadrunners (12-5-2) advance to round two of the region playoffs.
With everyone healthy, Hobbins saw a difference in his team's play. The win was punctuated by smooth ball movement on the offensive side and solid execution on the defensive side.
"We're clicking on both sides of the ball," Hobbins said. "We're a solid team with everyone contributing."
The outcome was decided early as the Runners scored four goals in the first half for a 4-0 halftime lead. Sophomore Josh Strickon (Washington Twp.) and freshman Jake Fazi (Triton) scored two goals apiece overall while sophomore Justin Phy (Triton) added one goal and three assists.
"When we start strong, we're very confident we're going to win," said Strickon. "We were determined to start strong and finish things."
Ditto, said Fazi, who scored one goal in the first half and one in the second.
"We've picked up the pace in the past few games - we've been aggressive on the attack," said Fazi. "We have a lot of guys capable of scoring."
The home team also benefitted from fine play from midfielder Chris Jackson (Williamstown) while goalkeeper Connor Rink (Haddon Hts.) registered the shutout.
Next up for the Runners will be a match at No. 3 seed Sussex County College on Wednesday, October 30th. Kick off is at 2:30 pm.
MATCH PREVIEW
Expect the Roadrunner men's soccer team to be ready to play at a high level Saturday afternoon when they open the Region XIX playoffs against visiting Delaware County Community College.
Thanks to a solid stretch of recent games to end the regular season plus a healthy roster, the No. 6 seed Runners (11-5-2 overall, 8-3-2 Region) hope to make waves in the postseason. The No. 11 seed Phantoms enter the contest with 7-7-1 overall and 7-6-1 region records. The two teams did not meet during the regular season.
"I expect our guys to play at a high level," said RCSJ coach George Hobbins. "We're healthy again. I've told the guys, this is a second season. Win three games and you go to nationals."
But Coach Hobbins knows nothing can be taken for granted.
"We've entered past playoffs with high expectations, but lost when we shouldn't have," said Hobbins. "You always need to be at your best in the playoffs."
Two key players are healthy and will be ready for action -- midfielders Chris Jackson (Williamstown) and Josh Strickon (Washington Twp.), each of whom helped the team off to a fast early-season start.
In recent games, sophomore midfielder Gemel Tutu (Vineland) has found his scoring touch with four goals. Sophomore midfielder Justin Phy (Triton) leads the team with eight goals and four assists while Francesco Fazzolari (Glassboro) has five goals in the campaign. Sophomore Joe Niemiec has also contributed three game-winning goals.
The goalkeeping has been superb overall with freshman Connor Rink (Haddon Heights) leading the way with a 0.70 goals against average followed by freshman James Bartolotto with a 1.53 GAA.
GAME DAY
Saturday, October 26, 2019
No. 11 Delaware County Community College at No. 6 Roadrunners
2:00 pm
Coaches:
George Hobbins, RCSJ Gloucester
Ryan Griffith, Delaware County CC
Records:
RCSJ Gloucester -- 11-5-2 overall, 8-3-1 Region
Delaware County CC -- 7-7-1 overall, 7-6-1 Region
