By PAUL GOTHAM
EAST ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Mike Domm’s East Rochester squad went searching for a meaningful victory. The Bombers found it on rain-soaked Monday night.
“We needed a win like this today,” Domm said after ER’s 2-0 victory over Sodus in Wayne County league action on Don Quinn Field. “It’s been a long process. Couple years ago, we had a lot of work to do. These kids are showing up now because they’ve been doing the work in the offseason. That’s why we’re starting to roll.”
Chuck Domm tallied twice in the second half, and Michael Raschiatore made seven saves as ER (4-2-0/2-1-0) won its third straight game.
“We’re a young team,” the elder Domm said. “We start a freshman, five sophomores, four juniors and a senior. We get nervous when we’re playing a good team. This is the best team we’ve seen.”
With Marquese Burton, Ryan DeBadts and Will Lamar moving the ball, Sodus dictated play throughout the first half.
“I just reminded them that we can show more than we’re showing right now,” Mike Domm said of the halftime discussion. “Get the ball in the middle, switch fields, get to the end line, get flank play and start playing our game. They started believing in themselves.”
East Rochester wasted little time turning the tables. Getting a surge from the second half kickoff, Chuck Domm took advantage of a giveaway inside the 6-yard box and staked the Bombers to a lead. Less than 15 minutes later, he again beat Sodus keeper, John Molisani, on a breakaway and the Bombers had all the offense they needed.
“It was just our kick off play,” Chuck Domm said of the first goal. “I chipped it up there. [Teammate] Nate Jantz hustled down there. They gave us an easy one there. I slide tackled it.”
Raschiatore’s play in the first half made it all possible.
“He did those kind of things for us last year, big saves,” Mike Domm said of his keeper. “He finally looked like the Mike from last year. His confidence is there.”
Sodus earned a series of corner kicks along with a free kick just outside the 18 during the first half. Raschiatore was there to turn away any shots on frame.
“When he’s on his game, we’re tough to beat,” Domm said of the junior. “He’s just a really good athlete and he’s got great instincts. You can’t teach a goalie instincts. He just has them. He knows where that ball is going to go.”
Raschiatore was at his best when stuffed DeBadts on a breakaway opportunity.
“He got through one on one,” he said. “I just tried to be as big as possible, cover as much ground and cover the angle. He kept his head down. When he looked up, I was right in his face. He hit it straight to me.”
The shutout was his third of the season.
“Defense pulled through. Did everything they could, and I just had to clean up the rest.”
As for the rainy conditions and slick field?
“It was wet and slippery tonight, so I had to be extra cautious just as a goalkeeper. You got to make sure everything is covered because you don’t know how fast or where the ball is going pretty much. You just got to take extra precautions.”
Mike Domm credited assistant coach Dave Feist with the improvement in Raschiatore’s game.
“He’s really fine-tuned the things that a goalie needs to do. That’s been big difference this year, his technique, form and knowledge of angles. That’s been a big help.”
ER will host Marion on Wednesday for a & PM start. Sodus hosts Gananda also on Wednesday night.
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