NY defeats NJ in High School Cup
New York defeats New Jersey 2-1 at Giants Stadium
Red Bull New York Media Relations
New York's and New Jersey's most premier soccer players wrapped up storied high school careers on the Giants Stadium turf on Saturday night as part of the second-annual Red Bulls High School Cup presented by adidas. The match followed the Red Bulls 1-0 win over FC Dallas.
New York was the superior team, generating chances throughout and defending as a unit for a full 90 minutes, winning the showdown 2-1.
New York and Baldwinsville striker Nathan Bourdeau opened the scoring off a simple clearance from defender Pat Cantwell. A New Jersey defender misread the header, and Bourdeau was their to hammer it home passed Jersey keeper Ryan Goettel.
New York then went up 2-0 only four minutes later on a perfect cross from midfielder Byrant Knibbs (Pine Bush High School) from the right flank, headed home by Sayville product Craig Santangelo.
"It feels awesome," said Santangelo, the Man of the Match. "I got a perfect ball in. All I was thinking was don't put it over the crossbar and luckily I didn't. Coming in with all the fans, all the drummers going crazy, it was an awesome experience."
Santangelo's goal proved to be the eventual game-winner, as New Jersey drew within a goal on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
While both teams were certainly aiming for a 'W' in their last high school match, coaches were constantly shifting lineups to ensure equal playing time.
"We made sure that each guy was in at least one half," New Jersey coach Tom Breznitsky (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) said. "Some of our guys had to play a little more than a half because we didn't have a total compliment, but that was our gameplan, for the kids to showcase their skills. Winning, to a degree is irrelevant. For the kids, it's a little bit of pride and bragging rights."
Breznitsky went on to say that the second Cup accomplished exactly what it set out to accomplish - to showcase the best talent in New York and New Jersey.
"It turned out to be what the Red Bulls and the fans were looking for - a showcase of an incredible amount of talent from New York and New Jersey on the field. I don't know if there is better high school talent anywhere in the country than what we saw here tonight. There are really some quality players."
New York head coach Martin Jacobson (Martin Luther King High School) also spoke highly of the experience.
"The honor, for the families to come to this area," Jaconbson said. "They came from Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester. They don't get to that. The Red Bulls organization truly runs a class organization. There is no doubt about it. Everything was provided. Everything was organized. To have this was a pleasure. The event was spectacular from day one."
New York was the superior team, generating chances throughout and defending as a unit for a full 90 minutes, winning the showdown 2-1.
New York and Baldwinsville striker Nathan Bourdeau opened the scoring off a simple clearance from defender Pat Cantwell. A New Jersey defender misread the header, and Bourdeau was their to hammer it home passed Jersey keeper Ryan Goettel.
New York then went up 2-0 only four minutes later on a perfect cross from midfielder Byrant Knibbs (Pine Bush High School) from the right flank, headed home by Sayville product Craig Santangelo.
"It feels awesome," said Santangelo, the Man of the Match. "I got a perfect ball in. All I was thinking was don't put it over the crossbar and luckily I didn't. Coming in with all the fans, all the drummers going crazy, it was an awesome experience."
Santangelo's goal proved to be the eventual game-winner, as New Jersey drew within a goal on a penalty kick in the 72nd minute.
While both teams were certainly aiming for a 'W' in their last high school match, coaches were constantly shifting lineups to ensure equal playing time.
"We made sure that each guy was in at least one half," New Jersey coach Tom Breznitsky (Scotch Plains-Fanwood) said. "Some of our guys had to play a little more than a half because we didn't have a total compliment, but that was our gameplan, for the kids to showcase their skills. Winning, to a degree is irrelevant. For the kids, it's a little bit of pride and bragging rights."
Breznitsky went on to say that the second Cup accomplished exactly what it set out to accomplish - to showcase the best talent in New York and New Jersey.
"It turned out to be what the Red Bulls and the fans were looking for - a showcase of an incredible amount of talent from New York and New Jersey on the field. I don't know if there is better high school talent anywhere in the country than what we saw here tonight. There are really some quality players."
New York head coach Martin Jacobson (Martin Luther King High School) also spoke highly of the experience.
"The honor, for the families to come to this area," Jaconbson said. "They came from Buffalo, Syracuse, Rochester. They don't get to that. The Red Bulls organization truly runs a class organization. There is no doubt about it. Everything was provided. Everything was organized. To have this was a pleasure. The event was spectacular from day one."
