September 21, 2017; Rochester, NY; USA; Julio Vasquez (11) and Andrew Bolch (3) battle during a Section V high school boys soccer game between the Greece Olympia Spartans and the Batavia/Alexander Blue Devils at Greece Olympia High School. Olympia won 2-0. (Photo: Christopher Cecere)
By PAUL GOTHAM
Saeed Shaibi collected a goal and an assist as the Greece Olympia Spartans defeated the Batavia/Alexander Blue Devils, 2-0 in Monroe County Division IV action, Thursday.
Shaibi converted a direct kick from 20 yards out to snap a scoreless tie late in the first half.
“I just saw a little space right between the wall and the post,” the senior attacker said. “I just put in right in the corner.”
The set piece was the fourth such opportunity of the half for Olympia with the Spartans narrowly missing on earlier chances.
“They can be the difference in a game,” seventh-year Olympia coach Rob DuPrau said of the restart. “That was an important one. Saeed hit a really good shot there. It was a battle back and forth until that went in. Once you can get the first one, it can kinda let them settle down a little bit. It was definitely a big goal for us.”
Eleven minutes later, Shaibi threaded a ball through the Batavia/Alexander back line and hit teammate Guy Kadge in stride for a two-goal advantage just before halftime.
“We’re really trying to preach team soccer,” DuPrau noted. “We got a lot of kids who have the ability to score, and they all want to score. To try to get them to play unselfishly and to feel good about making a great pass is something that we’re really trying to do. It’s coming along. When they do it, we play some good soccer. Hopefully we can have that moving forward.”
Shaibi ran his season totals to three goals and two assists.
“Our defense is the main thing,” Shaibi said. “When they play strong, it gives me the motivation to take the pressure off them.”
Saeed Sahibi (10) collected a goal and an assist in Olympia’s 2-0 win over Batavia/Alexander. Guy Kadge (left) also scored for the Spartans.
The win snapped a mini two-game slide for Olympia (3-4-1)
“We’ve let a couple get away from us this year,” DuPrau stated. “So to get a win it helps moving forward.”
Ceasar Castillo and Cameron Countryman combined for Olympia’s first shutout of the season. The effort, though, was as much about the Spartans backline as anything. “I got four seniors back there who are great kids on and off the field, true leaders,” DuPrau said referring to Vincent Caracci, Spencer Johnson, Don Michael Miller and Jeff Semple. “It’s important to have those guys back there. They are just phenomenal kids on and off the field.”
Miller broke up a potential two-on-one Blue Devil break when he stopped Charlie Beaver in the open field.
“Don Michael has stepped up, played some in the middle, some on the outside. He certainly saved us right there.”
Olympia hosts Newark on Friday. A 4:30 p.m. kickoff is scheduled. Batavia/Alexander (2-6-0/0-3-0) play at Greece Odyssey on Saturday. A 4:30 p.m. start is slated.
“I got four seniors back there who are great kids on and off the field, true leaders,” DuPrau said referring to Vincent Caracci, Spencer Johnson, Don Michael Miller and Jeff Semple. “It’s important to have those guys back there. They are just phenomenal kids on and off the field.”
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