North Over South in Boys Soccer

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By Jim Hintelmann
MIDDLETOWN ­– Middletown North starting forward Jordan Robinson found himself doing double duty for the Lions during Monday night’s 2-0 A Division North victory over rival Middletown South.
Jordan had scored the first goal for the Lions but, a short while later, North goalie Scott Weigel suffered a wrist injury following a collision in front of the net and had to leave the game.
North coach Fred Napoli, however, had just the right person to take Wiley’s place. It was Robinson, who made two nice saves Monday.
“Robinson played goalie for me last year but I switched him to forward this season and it was no problem moving him back to goalie,” Napoli said.
“I wanted to start goalie last year,” Robinson said. ”I was a little rusty tonight but I soon got the hang of it.”
Robinson scored his goal at early in the first half after taking a cross from Randy Assam and kicked the ball in from close range.
“I got a great cross from Randy Assam over the middle,” said Robinson, who also plays lacrosse. “Nobody was covering me and I used my left foot and knocked the ball in.”

Randy Azzam, No. 14, of Middletown North has a good day against Middletown North. He scored one of North’s two goals in the 2-0 win. Photo by Sean Simmons
Randy Azzam, No. 14, of Middletown North has a good day against Middletown South. He scored one of North’s two goals in the 2-0 win. Photo by Sean Simmons

North, which had a 9-3 shot advantage, got the insurance goal midway through the second half when Assam hit the ball off his chest and right into the net.
North started the season slowly but is currently 3-2-3 with a five game unbeaten streak.
“We’re getting better and better,” Napoli said. “The kids have come together and are playing as a team. This is a good group, but we have to keep moving.”
South (1-9) has been experiencing an off year but, oddly enough, the lone win was over traditional Shore power Christian Brothers Academy, which is also having an off-season.
“We just came to play that day,” South coach Pat Petretta said. “We have a lot of young players and lost five games by a goal. We play in a tough division and the kids are still learning.”