Zucco's Hat Trick Lead ORR To 3-0 Win Over Wareham

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Jon Zucco scored one in the first half and two in the second to lead ORR to their twelfth win of the season.  Wind was a factor in this one with the Red's having problems keeping up with the ball with the wind at their back.  The second half saw Wareham suffer the same fate.

With the wind in their face, ORR took control of the match with deft passing, tenacious defense and full control of the midfield with the three Musketeers,  Houston, Sherman and Teefy.  The defense was spotty in the first stanza but recovered nicely in the second playing intelligent and fast.   The speed of play of ORR that was lacking in the opening half, was the difference in the last 40 minutes.  Chris Hirallel, Marc Gammell, Boo Gaspar and Ted Kassabian easily broke up any threat the Vikings managed to muster, and initiated counter attacks that constantly put the home team on their heels.

Up front, Nick Coelho did a masterful job creating more havoc for the Vikings defense with his retreating play and pinpoint through passes for his mate making runs out of the back.  Today however was Jon Zucco's day.

In the 16th minute Zuc got control of the ball during a goal line scramble and knocked home the game winner from 8 yds.  At 4:40 of the second half, after a halftime self evaluation ORR came out with the determination that got them into the tournament this early in the season.  The combination passing of Houston, Teefy and Sherman worked their magic on the left side of the pitch and confused Wareham enough to free up Zucco to take a pass from Max Sherman and slot home his second goal.  Eight minutes later, Nick Coelho and freshman Chris Muther combined to beat the Vikings defense on the right side to assist Zucco for his hat trick.

The Bulldogs host Bourne on Monday evening Oct. 24th at 6:30 PM, and will play to avenge the 3-1 loss they suffered early in the season.

Costa and Coelho Lead ORR To An 8-1 Romp Over Visiting Case

The Bulldogs (11-2-2), began the game lallygagging around the perimeter and paid the price when they gave up a goal to visiting Case a minute forty five into the match. This is the third game in a row that ORR has started slowly. A week ago, Dighton, Rehoboth hit the post in the first minute and Saturday evening, Fairhaven narrowly missed taking a first minute lead when their first shot at goal barely sailed over the net. For the next few minutes things looked bleak for the Reds. Ten minutes into the match Bulldog coach Erich Carroll called a time out and choosing his words wisely, motivated the team to play like they were trained and put this game to rest.

At 14:45 Matt Teefy took a cross from Jon Zucco and headed home the equalizer. Teddy Costa replace Nick Coelho and scored two goal in the following six minutes. Coelho returned to his position after Costa's second and four minutes later scored his first of two. He scored his second three minutes into the second half and was soon followed on the score sheet by Max Sherman, Zucco and Teddy Kassabian.

Andrew Hughes held down the fort nicely replacing Matt Beatty in net. Hughes came up big twice in each half redeeming himself for giving up the soft goal early. Hughes took control of his area and directed his defense calmly and together they allowed only five shots on net. ORR on the other hand peppered Andrews counterpart with 18 shots on goal.

Ian Gray clears ball out of danger

Robbie Magee took over the midfield in the second half.

After Case's goal, the Bulldogs gradually worked their way back into the match. They began running off the ball and increasing the speed of play moving the ball with combinations and direct passes over the visiting defenders.  Robbie Magee took over midfield for the Red's in the second half and directed his mates with confidence and imagination, keeping Case on their heels and chasing.

Teddy Kassabian working hard for his first goal

 The Bulldogs travel to Wareham for a 3:30 match on Thursday October 13.

Costa Leads Bulldogs to 2-0 Win over Fairhaven

Teddy Costa's two first half goals were more than enough to give Old Rochester their tenth win of the season.  Fairhaven was unable to solve the Red's defense and were never a threat in this lopsided match.   

Matt Teefy began the onslaught with a blast to the upper 90 that Fairhaven's Matt DeCosta parried away in the 8th minute.  Fairhaven had many chances to in each half to make this one a blowout, but their touch left them and  they had to settle for lots of almosts.  Teefy, Zucco, Coelho, Sherman, Stabbel, Houk and Truesdale all had chances inside the six, but none were able to finish their tries.  

Costa found the net at 29:46 of the first half during a goal line scramble that saw three different Bulldogs take stabs at the ball.  Fairhaven's defense finally gave some daylight and Costa took advantage for his first goal. 

At thirty eight minutes, John Zucco, intercepted an errant Fairhaven pass and beat all four Blue Devil defenders with a beautiful killer through ball that found Costa heading to goal at full throttle. Teddy used his body nicely to shield the defender and hit a perfectly placed roller to the far post for his second. 

Midway through the second stanza, Fairhaven ran out of gas and ORR took advantage sending player after player for 1v1's to goal.  None were able to capitalize this day but the runs out of the back and the pinpoint passes through Fairhaven's defenders were a joy to watch.  

The Bulldogs (10-2-2) host Case on Monday October 17 at 3:30PM

The Road Goes On Forever

ORR improved to 9-2-2 with a 2-0 win over Dighton/Rehoboth. D/R saw a golden chance in the first minute pass them by when Vasconellos' shot hit the upright and bounce harmlessly away. Both team played good possession soccer with D/R controlling the match early. Gradually the Reds took over midfield and started to get dangerous. Nick Coelho had two chances in the half that could have put ORR up by two early.

At thirty two minutes, Nate Houston took control on the right side and found a streaking Max Sherman overlapping toward goal. Houston laid off a perfectly paced pass and Sherman did the rest slotting home the game winner.

It was a battle for midfield for much of the contest with both teams taking turns controlling the ball. The difference in this was ORR was continually on the offense while D/R was happy passing the ball around on their own half of the field. The first 40 minutes ended with ORR holding a tenuous 1-0 lead.

At the opening of the second half, D/R was caught being a bit lazy when John Zucco and Max Sherman hounded the left side backs forcing them to give up the ball deep in their own end. Max Sherman had his shot blocked and it looked like it would roll out of bounds and out of danger. Jon Zucco had other plans, fought off two D/R defenders and fed a nice ball to a wide open Matt Teefy who let loose a cracker from 8 yds into the back of the net for the insurance goal.

Bulldogs Qualify For Tournament With A 7-0 Drubbing of Pope John Paul II

Seven different players scored for ORR who qualified for the state tournament with a convincing win over an outmatched Pope John Paul II squad who traveled to Mattapoisett from Hyannis.  Coelho, Teefy, Sherman and Costa scored in the first half.   The second half scorers were Trusedal, Beatty and Magee.

The Bulldogs travel to Dighton/Rehobeth on Wednesday with the intention of building momentum for the tournament and earning a high berth.

A Tale Of Two Tens.

In the first 10 minutes of the match it looked like ORR would win this one handily.  The final 10 minutes saw the Bulldogs score two goals for a come from behind 2-1 victory over visiting Seekonk.  In between the two tens it was a slug fest.  Skills were put away and both teams resorted to hard hitting long ball play that looked more like Roller Derby than football.

The final ten minutes were "Coelho time".  After a difficult game where Nick was frustrated by his first touch and the hard hitting defense of Seekonk he got his rhythm and began creating chances.  His hard work and fast play paid off in the 30th minute when he took a free kick from Jon Zucco and fired home the game tying goal.  Seven minutes later, Coelho found himself alone behind the Seekonk defense after taking a nice through ball from Chris Hirallel, and passed and slow roller that easily beat keeper Jake Sylvia  who did not leave his line to cut the angle.  That brought the fans out of their seats and his mates off the bench for a well earned celebration.  ORR now stands a 7-2-2.

The game was also a game of two referees having one call a tight game and his partner letting everything go.  The complains from the ORR staff went unheeded and culminated with a game ending injury to ORR midfield mainstay Nate Houston whose condition is being evaluated at press time.

Seekonk took a 1-0 lead at 17:08 of the first half on a long throw in that saw keeper Matt Beatty taken down by two Seekonk forwards allowing Jacob Findlay to knock home and easy tally inside the six yard box.

Coelho has a chance for his hat trick when Max Sherman sent a through pass beating the flat back three Seekonk defenders.   Coelho out raced them and let loose a shot that keeper Sylvia managed to deflect out of danger.

The Bulldogs host Pope John Paul II on Monday at 11AM.

ORR 2 Apponequet 0

Jon Zucco interview with Standard Times Sport writer. 

Three days prior Apponequet was able to hold ORR to a 0-0 draw and the Reds were not happy about it.  Today the Bulldogs played a match that had qualities above and beyond the expectations of high school play.  Smooth, fast, confident and intelligent play took the wind out of Apponequet early.

The Reds dominated the midfield keeping the Apponequet defenders continuously on their heels.  Matt Beatty enjoyed another quiet day in the nets while his opposite Demoranville was called upon again and again trying to keep his squad in the game.

Max Sherman battles for possession. 

At 17:25  Nick Coelho took a through pass from game MVP Jon Zucco and let loose a cannon shot into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead that stood into the intermission.   At 15:40 of the second half, Zucco found himself isolated  with one defender 35 yards out after a quick outlet pass from Boo Gaspar .  He pushed the ball ahead turned on the after burners and found himself 1v1 with the Demoranville.   Zuc side footed a perfect shot into the lower corned for the 2-0 lead.

ORR worked their zone defense magically causing turnover after turnover by Apponequet, who ran out of ideas early and resorted to a long ball game.   That made things easy for Beatty and company allowing them to close out the match comfortably.

Noah Filloramo streaking down the flank

ORR host Seekonk on Wednesday 9/15 at 6:30PM  under the lights.