2022-2023 Game Reports
Hazlet (H) 9/23
HELP ME RONDA, HELP, HELP ME (FREDDIE) RONDA
The Huskies (1-0) opened up their 2022 season campaign by playing host to a feisty Hazlet squad. Matawan retained the lion's share of possession during the first half but was only able to produce one shot on goal. The second half saw more of the same as both teams played scrappy physical ball looking for a slight edge in either direction. The Matawan breakthrough came from a set piece. Nicco Romero delivered an outswinging ball that 6th grade newcomer Freddie Ronda headed onto the ground and into the back of the net passed a sprawled out Hazlet keeper. It was enough to get the Huskies back to the bus done and dusted with a 1-0 victory. Kian Callueing recorded the clean sheet in his first start. Ryan Hart notched the only Husky marker in the developmental period, clipping a ball over the top of a diving goalie as he came in cleanly on goal from an outside wing position. The Huskies look to improve on their start today when they host Colts Neck Cedar Drive.
Cedar Drive (H) 9/28
The Huskies improved their record to (2-0) with a complete dismantling of Colts Neck. The Huskies outmatched and overwhelmed the Colts from the onset, hoarding possession of the ball and carving out opportunities in their attacking third. Nicco Romero opened the scoring with his first goal of the year when he one-timed and chipped in an Anthony Attardi service just inside the penalty box. Romero turned helper on the second Matawan marker when he played a give and go combo with Ed Gleason, who thumped in a driven shot to the far corner of the net. Romero added a second assist when he slid a diagonal ball into Artur Pryzbala, who beat defenders on the wing and then beat the keeper far post to make it 3-nil Huskies. Petrous Mahrous converted a penalty kick just before the interval to make it 4-0. The Huskies maintained possession and dominance in the second half as Freddie Ronda followed up his own initial shot with a tap in that the goalie had spilled back to him. Kian Calluing, Filip Janiszewski, Aidan Heyward and Brody Smith all combined on the clean sheet. The Huskies look to stay hot when they travel to Long Branch tomorrow to wrestle with the Green Wave.
Thompson (H) 10/6
The Huskies (2-1) dropped their first game of the season when they fell by a score of 2-0 against Thompson. Matawan played a tough, physical game throughout most of the first half as both teams struggled to maintain possession and create offensive opportunities. Thompson made the first break through, taking a 1-0 lead into the half. The Huskies were paced by Ryan Hart's stalwart defending in the back and Artur Przybyla's creative playmaking throughout the midfield. Nicco Romero applied a perpetual threat in the attacking third, making darting runs deep behind the Thompson back four, which were threatening but ultimately fruitless as the Huskies were unable to find the back of the net and eventually fell 2-0. Kian Callueing made two saves in the loss.
Bayshore (H) 10/13
After a week layoff, the Huskies (2-2) dropped their second consecutive game as they fell 1-0 to Bayshore in a muddy rain storm at Strathmore. Both teams play physical and scrappy ball as they struggled to find their footing and possession during a soggy afternoon. The Huskies were buoyed in the midfield by strong efforts from Artur Przybyla and Ryan Hart protecting the back. Newcomer Ryan Stumpf turned in a strong performance, playing at both outside half and outside back. The Huskies were undone by a miscue in the back when a chipped in ball went through the goalkeeper's wet hands and fell kindly to a Bayshore striker for an easy tap in. To the Huskies' credit, they did not waver and did not quit, fighting and scrappy until the end. Kevin Soares and Freddie Ronda provided strong attacking efforts from the wide areas. The Huskies look to get back to winning ways when they travel to take on Ocean today.
Ocean (A) 10/14
Ocean pounds toothless Huskies in 6-2 thumping. The Matawan Huskies dropped their second consecutive game when they were dismantled by Ocean. The Huskies found themselves down 4-0 at the half after struggling to maintain any consistent pressure or ball possession. The second half was marked by a significant uptick in performance as the Huskies found their spark as Artur Przybyla scored from an assist by Nicco Romero. The Huskies pulled another goal back when Kevin Soares scored his first goal of the season on a clever through ball from Ed Gleason, making the score 4-2 Ocean early into the second half. The Matawan comeback lost steam when they surrendered two more goals when pushing the attack forward while leaving the backs vulnerable to counter attack. Ryan Stumpf and Ryan Hart turned in inspiring performances in the back, while Kian Callueing collected two saves in the loss. The Huskies look to bounce back when they host Thorne.
Thorne (H) 10/17
The Huskies regained their winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Thorne. The Huskies dominated possession throughout the first half, creating a multitude of chances that went unfinished. Ed Gleason and Kevin Soares provided some attacking combination plays on the edges which allowed space for Artur Pryzbyla to work on the ball and attack towards goal. Pryzbyla was the provider of offense as he converted two spectacular 25 yard shots that left the keeper hopeless on defense. Derek Busch and Ryan Hart were stalwarts in defense, securing the clean sheet for the combination of Kian Callueing and Aidan Heyward. Matawan looks to stay sharp when they travel to Holmdel to tussle with a rising Holmdel team.
Holmdel (A) 10/19
The Huskies came off the bus ready to play against a hot Holmdel team but ultimately fell short 2-0 behind two Hornet spot kicks. The Huskies dominated possession during the first half although creating very little out of it until drawing a penalty kick fifteen minutes in. Nicco Romero was unsuccessful in his attempt to convert the penalty as he kicked it directly to the keeper. Holmdel was more proficient in their attempts as they converted a penalty in both the first and second halves. Kevin Soares and Ryan Hart turned in strong physical performances, while Artur Przybyla and Anthony Attardi marshalled the midfield. Anthony Ciampa played stout defense in a spot start and Ed Gleason provided attacking prowess from the wide positions. Romero's playmaking ability created opportunities for the Huskies, who were never cashed in as Matawan dropped their fourth game out of five. Matawan will look to bounce back against an up and coming Neptune team when they host their first game at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School.
Neptune (H) 10/20
The Huskies got a boost hosting their first game at Matawan Aberdeen Middle School, hosting Neptune in front of a rabid student body crowd. Despite Matawan's inability to successfully trap and pass, they dominated nearly all possession in the first half, converting their only chance when an Artur Przybyla angled pass was mishandled by the Neptune keeper and deposited into the back of the net by Nicco Romero, who was quick to pounce on the spilled ball. Grinding out possessions and winning the majority of the 50/50 balls, the Huskies were able to hang on for a tight 1-0 victory. Kian Callueing made six saves to preserve the clean sheet while Ryan Hart played lock down defense, helping to preserve the shutout.
Cedar Drive (H) 10/27
Matawan finished their 22/23 campaign with a resounding 8-1 full team victory. The Huskies hosted a short-handed 9 man Colts Neck team, where Ed Gleason, Ryan Stumpf, and Bryce Smith volunteered to star for the Colts against their own mates. Nicco Romero opened the scoring when an out of position Gleason (playing goalie for Colts Neck) fumbled a through ball, allowing Romero an easy tap in. Artur Pryzbyla doubled the advantage when he blasted home a shot from 12 yards after a turnover coming out of the back. Ryan Hart's tally at the open of the second half made it 3-0. Kevin Soares struck from the outside wing position, making it 4-0. Kian Callueing scored his first goal as he swapped from goalie to striker in the second half. Petrous Mahrous, Antonio Cavaleri, and Freddie Ronda rounded out the scoring as the Huskies poured it on late.