IAC BOYS SOCCER: NOVAK ‘TRICKS’ AS SVEC EDGES NEWARK VALLEY (2023-09-11)
By TIM TAYLOR
Tioga County Sports Report
NEWARK VALLEY — Jason Novak recorded a hat trick as the SVEC boys soccer team edged Newark Valley, 3-2, in IAC Large School action Monday.
The Eagles surrendered a quick goal as Bela Krener found the back of the net with a pass from James Wells just 23 seconds into the game.
Both sides were aggressive and physical throughout the game, so it was no surprise that the quick tally would not hold up.
“It was definitely physical,” SVEC co-coach Sean Lanning said.”Lots of back and forth. Tough on both sides, but eventually one goal was the difference.”
“We played hard,” NV coach Mitch Thurston said. “Just making the simple mistakes that we've been working on in practice all the time. Making combinations up top. We want to force feed the middle and not playing the ball wide.”
The Eagles didn’t get down on themselves following the quick score. They battled back and eventually took control of the tempo.
“Started slow, but once we got into it we were up 3-1 at one point, so happy with the boys' effort and comeback win,” Lanning said.
SVEC would threaten twice over the next several minutes, but came away empty on a direct kick and a corner kick.
Finally, with 25:29 on the clock, Novak tallied on a feed from Noah Banks, getting behind the defense for the equalizer.
With 9:18 remaining in the first half, Novak would score again, this time on a pass from Sirron Irvin.
The Cardinals tried to respond just 76 seconds later, but a Wells shot careened off the left post.
NV appeared to even things up with 5:17 left in the half, but a corner kick goal was waived off by the official for a pushing violation.
The score would remain 2-1 into the second half until Jason Jantz pushed a through ball to Novak who shot into the left side of the goal on a one-on-one to make it 3-1 with 28:25 on the clock.
“That's what’s beat us these last two games,” Thurston said. “Tioga beat us with (Tyler) Roe and they beat us with (Novak). He beat us with three goals, one-on-one.”
That margin would hold up for more than 16 minutes until Krener found Trevor Middendorf in front of the goal and he headed the ball in to make it 3-2 with 12:04 remaining in the game.
Brady Hill nearly got free behind the SVEC defense in the final seconds of regulation, but was unable to get a shot on goal.
“A lot more even game for us,” Thurston said. “The past couple years they've had a really good.”
NV took five shots to four for SVEC and corner kicks were even at four apiece.
Elijah Williams made four saves in goal for the Cardinals while Mateo Indovino had three for the Eagles.
It was the first game for SVEC (2-1) since Aug. 30. The Eagles have been involved in three one-goal games although one of the wins was a forfeit.
For Newark Valley (0-3) it was also the team’s third one-goal game. The Cardinals lost to Lansing, 2-1, and in overtime to Tioga, 5-4. Brady Hill scored the goal against Lansing while he and Krener had two goals each against Tioga. Krener also dished out a pair of assists against the Tigers.
NV hosts Trumansburg and SVEC hosts Elmira Notre Dame Thursday. ND and T-burg played to a 1-1 draw Monday.
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PHOTOS BY TIM TAYLOR.
(Photos in photo gallery by Danielle Banks & Tim Taylor)
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