02.28.2024 JV-A Stratford vs. Spring Woods

Despite the unexpected wind and cold temperatures, our Spartans were prepared to face the division leader.

The Spring Woods Tigers took to the field with vigor, controlling the ball 70% of the time. However, our Spartans remained composed, successfully preventing any goals by maintaining their formation and managing offside plays. Our goalkeeper, Pablo Reyes, made several saves throughout the half, bolstering the team’s belief that it was possible to secure at least one point from the chart leader.

The second half commenced with Fardin Ansari scoring for the Spartans at the 3rd minute, tipping the balance of the game in our favor (Stratford up 1-0). The Spartans began to control the ball more. However, at the 10th minute, the Tigers equalized (1-1 tie) with a remarkable shot from outside the area that struck the right goal post and went in. Once again, we saw the Tigers controlling the ball for most of the remaining time, making goalkeeper Reyes the MVP for the Spartans in the 1-1 tie against a first place Spring Woods team.

03.02.2024 JV-A Stratford vs. Cy Ridge

Stratford traveled to face Cy Ridge on a pleasant Saturday afternoon in great contrast to the blistery cold from the Wednesday night game against Spring Woods. With the atypical Saturday game, the Spartans came out flat and the JV-A Team played their worst half of the season. A couple of quick goals from the Bobcats in the first 5 minutes of the game put Stratford down two goals (Stratford 0-2) on defense lapses. It didn’t get much better as Cy Ridge capitalized again in the 15th minute to put Stratford down 0-3. From this point forward, the remainder of the first half was played fairly evenly, with each team mustering a few scoring opportunities, but unable to capitalize.

The Spartans came out much stronger in the second half and created significant offensive opportunities while largely controlling time of possession. The Spartans trimmed the lead to 1-3 later in the second half on a Fardin Ansari goal. Despite quite a few more opportunities, the Spartans were unable to trim the lead further, with Cy Ridge securing the 3-1 victory over the Spartans.