Cordero, Popowskis’ rule as Dragons win in overtime

The JCC of Bayonne Indoor Soccer Jr. Division wrapped up their regular season with two key matchups. In game one, the (1-5) Dragons took on the first place (6-1) Knights in what the Dragons hoped to be a preview of next weeks “gold medal” round. Boasting the league’s top ranked offense, the Knights found themselves trailing early as the Dragons’ Roman Popowski scored on a defensive miscue at net by the Knights’ goal keeper. Holding a 1-0 lead for most of the first half with Lilliana Cordero ruling the net while Vikram Balaguru, Raunak Vrema, and Michael Cordero ballhawked, the Dragons bottled up the Knights’ potent offense. Frustrated but determined, the Knights finally tied the fray as Aviv Talmor fought a pass to Dylan Subacz who made it 1 all. Clawing for more points, the Kngiths scored again as Subacz blasted his second goal this time off an assist by Nazar Kolesnyk. Down, 2-1, the Dragons answered as Brenna Popowski assisted Roman Popowski on his second goal of the bout. Deadlocked at 2-2, the Dragons took a late game 3-2 lead as Raunak Verma zipped a pass to Brenna Popowski who drilled in the score. With less than one minute remaining, the Knights’ Toni Rivada and Amy Gabrael joined forces to set up a defensive blockade in hopes of getting one last shot at tying the game. The move paid off as a stolen pass and a quick pass to Joyce Gabrael led to the game tying goal by Subacz to force overtime. After two spectacular saves, the Dragons finally claimed victory as Brenna Popowski nailed the winning dart for a 4-3 overtime decision. A special mention must be given to the Knights’ Edward Denne and the Dragons’ Lilliana Cordero whose goal tending duel highlighted a great game.

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