The Alternative Press

NEW PROVIDENCE, NJ - Dereck Amakye of Westfield had no illusions regarding the importance of Thursday's game against New Providence.  His team needed him to step up in a big way and he delivered. “The game was a good practice match for us as we approach the state tournament next week,” said Amakye.  He  scored two goals in the last 20 minutes of play to help Westfield pull away from New Providence, 3-1.

Westfield controlled the tempo right from the beginning of the match getting a couple of quality scoring opportunities early on. Westfield finally got on the scoreboard with 22:05 left in the half as senior Noah Rosenberg tapped a loose ball past a rushing Pioneer goaltender near the edge of the 18 yard box to give Westfield a 1-0 lead.

New Providence had few scoring opportunities in the first half and relied on a kick and run technique.  However, Westfield was not phased, handling the tactic with ease and possessing the ball for long stretches. As the half ended New Providence did not have any shots on net while Westfield had four.

The second half was more of the same as Westfield continued to dominate possession putting together quick passes along the left side of the field and creating various scoring opportunities. New Providence caught a break though as Jason Bradley got the Pioneers on the board and tied the game at one. As Westfield attempted to clear, their clearance was blocked by Bradley, whose deflection then looped high into the air and over the head of goalkeeper Daniel LaCorte.   

With the Pioneers staying close Amakye broke the tie by scoring his first goal of the game with 19:20 left as he chased down a loose ball and kicked it past an oncoming Robert Madsen on the left side of the box. Amakye sealed the victory with his second goal of the game less than six minutes later as he chased down another loose ball and evaded Madsen, who came charging out of his net again, to give Westfield the 3-1 win.

Westfield Head Coach George Kapner used the opportunity to give both his first and second stringers valuable playing time noting, “For the start of the second half I had all my first stringers on the bench and had my second team in there. The second team played very well and I am very proud of them. This is the last chance before states to get ready and we haven’t lost in a dozen matches.”

Westfield was able to dominate possession throughout the game and part of the reason is because of their quick one touch passing. As Kapner said, “The kids played the way they’ve been coached all season long, we did nothing different.”

Westfield improves to 10-2-6 with the victory while New Providence falls to 2-12-3.