SOCCER

Medina tallies twice to lift Morris Catholic

Jane Havsy
@dailyrecordspts

DENVILLE When Jack Franson found out he'd be starting in goal against Pequannock on Thursday afternoon, he was a little nervous. Though Franson is a senior, this was going to be his first varsity start for Morris Catholic — and in a NJAC-Independence match as well.

Franson shook off the anxiety quickly, and embraced his new role as a challenge. He made six saves as the Crusaders defeated Pequannock, 2-0. Franson got a little help from classmate Tyler Valle, the usual Morris Catholic goalkeeper, who played sweeper on Thursday in a revamped lineup.

But the first player he thanked was senior striker Bryan Medina, who had both Crusaders goals.

A starter since his freshman year, Medina has stepped up into a leadership role for Morris Catholic. He put the host Crusaders on the scoreboard all by himself just nine minutes into the match, calming a young squad.

Medina picked up the ball a few yards from midfield, dribbled down the left wing and shot far post from an improbable angle. It was Morris Catholic's first shot of the match.

"I try to score as soon as possible, so we've got a little breathing space in the back," said Medina, who lives in Dover. "We can play more possession style."

Pequannock's three returning starters — goalkeeper Billy Troast and midfielders Liam Lilienthal and Matt Apryasz — struggled to bring their young squad together. Just three matches into the season with a rebuilt squad, the Panthers are still trying to gel. They got chances, particularly while playing three up front in the second half, but few were on target.

"We beat ourselves," new Pequannock head coach Michael Zummo said. "We created so many good opportunities, but we couldn't finish them. ... We still have to get better at that, a little more confident, a little more composed."

Lilienthal had the best opportunity, going one-on-one with Franson midway through the second half but the keeper came up with the ball.

"I realized how great of an opportunity this was, so I had to take it and run with it," said Franson, a Chester resident. "Words can't explain how amazing it feels right now."

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@gannettnj.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/