LYNN — It was a wet and wild night on Tuesday at Manning Field, where the Lynn English boys soccer team defeated the Lynn Classical Rams by a score of 1-0.
While the Bulldogs struggled to maintain possession and create scoring chances, all it took was one opportunity in the second half for English to come up victorious.
Head coach Kerry King admitted that his team struggled early on, but said they were able to grind out a victory.
“Our goaltender, Jack Mancaniello, stood on his head, made some incredible saves,” King said. “We were able to make a few adjustments in the second half, get a little more possession, and fortunately we were able to get a penalty kick.”
The Rams put the pressure on the Bulldogs five minutes into the match, dominating possession and getting an early corner, but Classical’s players couldn’t get a foot on the cross.
English got its chance in the eighth minute with a free-kick opportunity near the top of the box. Jalen Coriolan launched a shot on net, but Classical’s Isaiah Diaz made a diving save to keep the game scoreless.
Junior goalkeeper Jack Mancaniello was tested throughout the first half, with Classical’s Imer Payes providing quality service into the box from the right flank, but Mancaniello was able to make some great saves for the Bulldogs.
King spoke about his “super goaltender” after the match.
“We’re lucky to have him on our side,” said King. “(He) made some timely saves today that really kept us in the game. Hats off to him. We’re lucky to have him.”
Both sides defended quite well in the match, which made life difficult for the opposition. Elzon Halimi and Rigoberto Gomez made multiple interceptions and tackles throughout the match to stop the English attack. Halimi, in particular, made an amazing tackle in the 53rd minute to keep the score level.
Classical continued to win the possession battle in the first half, finding success in pressing the Bulldogs. English struggled to get past midfield and test Diaz with shots on target.
In the 30th minute, Jair Alvarez unleashed a powerful shot that appeared to be a sure-fire goal, but Mancaniello made another great diving save to keep the game tied. Senior Ryan Doll found the ball at his feet in the box and got his turn, but his shot sailed high in the 32nd minute. Then in the 35th minute off of a free kick, the Rams headed a dangerous ball on net, but Mancaniello got his paws on the ball to ensure that both sides entered halftime tied at zero.
The second half once again began with the Rams dominating possession. Payes was all alone at the top of the box in the 43rd minute, but his shot whizzed by the post for a goal kick.
As the game progressed, the game got chippy as both sides got increasingly physical and showed their dislike for one another. This led to the Bulldogs getting two yellow cards in the 55th minute.
Diaz got another opportunity to show his skill; he made a point-blank save on a header on a Denilson Contreras header in the 57th minute.
Things got interesting in the 59th minute, with a Classical player committing a handball in the box. Coriolan took the ball from the spot and placed a perfect shot in the right corner of the net to give the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead. That lone goal would be enough to give the Bulldogs the win over their rival.
Classical got a chance inside the box in the 75th minute, but Eddy Romero came up big for the Bulldogs with a goal-line clearance to maintain English’s 1-0 lead.
Lynn Classical is now 3-4-1 and will be on the road Thursday when they face Somerville.
Lynn English will look to continue its winning ways as it faces Chelsea Friday at Manning Field.
