By Joseph Staszewski
Christ the King got a glimpse of what its full team is capable of against Fordham Prep, last season’s city runner up. However, the strong performance did not translate into a win.
The Royals, completely healthy for the first time since Sept. 17, fell 2-1 to the Rams in CHSAA Class AA boys’ soccer at Juniper Valley Park last Thursday. Fordham scored the game-winning goal when Pat Murray headed in a Max Moesner corner kick in the 68th minute. Despite the defeat to one of the league’s best teams, the game showed Christ the King’s potential.
“We are right there,” Royals Coach Ovid Cusu said.
He saw star striker Cesar Oviedo and midfielders Nicholas Lakahn, Mike Ortiz and John Nunez all miss time following a grueling loss to Archbishop Molloy last month. But, Oviedo made his presence felt against Fordham after Alex Cannicotti scored to give the Rams a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute. It was just Oviedo’s second game since missing time with a hamstring injury.
“Cesar is a big piece,” Cusu said.
The senior constantly attacked the goal and helped create numerous scoring chances with midfielder Juan Obregon. Oviedo tallied the tying goal in the 30th minute. He ran onto a through ball from Obregon and kicked it passed the keeper and into the lower right corner of the goal for the Royals (4-5-1).
“I was just thinking I’ve got to finish, got to get the team back in the game,” Oviedo said.
The Christ the King assault didn’t stop there.
Obregon sent a cross into the box, but Oviedo kicked it right in the hands of Cameron McGowan, the Fordham Prep goalkeeper. McGowan spoiled an even better opportunity shortly after that in the 37th minute. A streaking Oviedo blasted a high shot that McGowan made a punch save on. In the second half, Jonathan Asmal just missed heading in an Oviedo cross minutes before the Rams took the lead.
“It was very frustrating,” Oviedo said. “When [momentum] is on your side, you want to finish. You want to put the team away.”
The Royals weren’t able to do so against a Rams (10-1-0) team coming off a loss to St. Francis Prep and a win over Molloy. CK feels that when its players are healthy, the team can compete with squads in the upper echelon of the CHSAA.
“All we do when we get together is pray for health,” Cusu said. “God gave us health, gave us signs we could do better, and hopefully we stay healthy for the playoffs.”
