Wave boys Soccer Lose 3-2 in Overtime

By Walter J. O’Neill, Jr.

Scoring the first goal in the 3-2 overtime loss to Marlboro was Long Branch junior Thomas Silva Ferreira (9).

September 30, the Green Wave of Long Branch hosted the Marlboro boys varsity soccer team in a Shore Conference A North divisional battle. And it was a great back-and-forth game which had Mustangs edging the Green Wave 3-2 in overtime.

Marlboro entered the game with a 6-3-1 overall record and were 1-2-1 in the division. That has the Mustangs sitting in fourth position out of the seven A North teams. Long Branch, entered the game with one win and six losses.

With 23:27 to play in the first half, the Green Wave of Long Branch scored first. Junior Thomas Silva Ferreira, kicked in the first goal of the game. He had a few opportunities early in the half, but the Marlboro goalkeeper made some great saves.

Nearly two minutes later, the Mustangs scored and evened the game at one goal each. With just over eight minutes to play in the first half, Long Branch took the lead off a goal by junior Chris De Oliveria Santos.

The last goal of the first half was kicked in by Marlboro with 3:59 to play. That tied the game at two goals each. The entire second half was a great defensive game as neither team scored. At the end of regulation time the teams were deadlocked at two, and overtime was coming.

Both schools had chances in overtime, except the Mustangs were able to get one past the Wave goalkeeper with 2:59 left in OT, taking the 3-2 victory.

Long Branch dropped to 1-7 overall and are 0-4 in the A North. All season they have been competitive as they lost six games by one goal, one game by three and their only win, 2-1 over North Hunterdon. Currently, Long Branch is in last place within the division, which has Howell on top at 7-1, CBA at 8-3, Rumson-Fair Haven at 5-4, then Marlboro, followed by Holmdel at 5-4-1, Manasquan at 5-3 and the Green Wave.

Additional photos can be viewed at www.Facebook.com/TheLinkSports

Leading an offensive attack for Long Branch is Evan Santiago (4) a senior co-captain.

Christopher De Oliveira Santos, junior at Long Branch High School, scored the second goal for the Green Wave in the 3-2 loss to Marlboro.