Morris Hils tops Wayne Hills

SANTIAGO’S TRICK LEADS MORRIS HILLS 4-0

(* By Sal Guiliano for MCHSS.net -- Photos by Ken Emker *)

Rodrigo Santiago, Adam Katz, Tony Ramos and Mike Benvenuto wanted to make their last home game one they would never forget. As coach Kevin Rosenberg said,” Mission accomplished.” Santiago tallied three goals, Katz and Ramos both had assists and Benvenuto anchored the defense that registered a shutout, their 15th of the season, as Morris Hills rolled to a 4-0 win over Wayne Hills in North I Group III state tournament action.

The”Fab 4,” as their coach referred to them, are all four year letter winners for the Morris Hills soccer team. During that time Morris Hills has qualified for state tournament play four times, they have won a sectional championship and a Morris County Championship. Santiago’s first goal came at the 14:52 mark off an assist from Katz. Four minutes later the Knights were threatening again. Santiago appeared to put his team up 2-0 after hitting the back of the net off a throw-in by Ramos, but he was whistled for being offside’s on the play.

Seven minutes later it was Katz who almost put the Knights up 2-0 as his header off of Santiago’s free kick hit the crossbar. “We created several good opportunities and we knew we were playing well. There keeper did an outstanding job of denying us.” Said Rosenberg. “But eventually we were able to break through and get a few more.”

Santiago tallied his 2nd of the game, and 20th of the season, just before halftime. As he dribbled past a defender in the middle of the pitch he was tripped up resulting in a free kick about twenty yards from goal. Just like he did in the county final against Delbarton, Santiago left the keeper with no chance as he bent his shot around the five man wall and into the back of the net. Morris Hills then had another goal called back with less than a minute remaining in the first half. David Brand ran onto a through pass and cut it back to Santiago, who headed it into an open net, but the referee ruled that the ball had crossed the end line before Brand got to it.

Morris Hills put the game away eight minutes into the 2nd half. Tony Ramos settled the ball on the left side of the box and played a through ball to a streaking Santiago who buried the ball in the lower right corner to complete his hat trick. “ I was so proud of Tony on the play because just moments earlier he had missed a great opportunity to score himself,” said Rosenberg. “Instead of having a pity party he got his head back in it and assisted on his teammate’s goal. That is a great job by him.”

David Brand registered the final goal of the game on a wonderful individual effort. He collected a loose ball about forty yards from goal and dribbled down the right flank. He beat a defender off the dribble and then drilled a shot into the far post side netting from about eight yards out.
The only job left was to preserve the shutout for goalkeeper Rafael Diaz. As they had all game, the Morris Hills back line, lead by Benvenuto, continued to frustrate the Wayne Hills attackers. Wayne Hills registered just one shot on goal in the 2nd half that was easily handled by Diaz. “Our backs are the key to our success,” said Rosenberg. “When they play well, we are real tough to beat. Mike is the leader back there and he always does a great job.”

Morris Hills now moves on to play Ramapo, a 2-1 winner over Wayne Valley, in the section final. The game will be Friday afternoon at 2 pm in Ramapo.

(* Photos by Ken Emker *)