The defending Group 1 state co-champion Verona Hillbillies were supposed to kick off the season on Tuesday against Lakeland but stormy weather postponed the matchup to a date to be named later. Instead, the Hillbillies opened at Centennial Field against the Glen Ridge Ridgers, who had beaten Verona 2-0 on senior night last season. Because Verona graduated 16 seniors from last season, there are only four players–seniors Cole Smith, Sal Vassallo, Michael Daggett and junior Jake Weber–who received significant varsity minutes last season. Even so, Verona came out on top, 1-0.
The lone goal of the game came in the 18th minute on a Vassallo throw-in, which was controlled by Smith who beat the charging keeper and banged it in the open net from the top of the 18 yard line. Vassallo was awarded with the assist on the play.
[ngg_images source=”galleries” container_ids=”291″ display_type=”photocrati-nextgen_pro_masonry” size=”180″ padding=”10″ ngg_triggers_display=”always” captions_enabled=”0″ captions_display_sharing=”1″ captions_display_title=”1″ captions_display_description=”1″ captions_animation=”slideup” order_by=”sortorder” order_direction=”ASC” returns=”included” maximum_entity_count=”500″]Glen Ridge’s best scoring chance came early in the second half when a Glen Ridge player had a clear shot in front of the goal but shanked it off the right post. The ball then bounced off the left post and could have been blasted in by any surrounding Ridger, but Verona senior Matt Nagy cleared it out of the box to thwart the Glen Ridge opportunity.
The outstanding defensive showing was led by Nagy, Daggett, Weber and the brick wall that is 6-foot 6-inch senior Garrett Percevault.
The Hillbillies next game will be Monday, September 11, at Columbia High School. The game will be played at 7 p.m.
Photos copyright Andy Yeates. Used by permission.
I’m six foot six but I’m six foot seven with basketball shoes on
We’ll remember that for basketball season.