–Rockets defense the key in win over Mountaineers
5 September 2007By Michael Painter-Editor
REYNOLDS - August 27, 2007 - In this point in the season, coaches of every sport are looking to find the right combinations that will make his team it’s very best. Sometimes what you thought was there, isn’t. As the season goes along, they find the character of the team and utilize it to the best of the team’s capabilities. Reynolds’ Patrick Gladys has found what makes his team click and it is the defense. Playing just their fourth game of the season, goalkeeper Jonathan Sorrentino and the defensive line has only allowed 2 goals, including their second straight shutout tonight against Tuscola, 2-0.
For the season, Sorrentino has recorded thirteen saves, including 3 tonight.
"In the past we have relied on our offense to win games," said Gladys. "but in the early part of the season, the defense has been the bright spot. Since we’re not scoring much right now (5 goals in the first four games), we need to rely on the defense. This is the biggest team that I’ve ever had at Reynolds and as long as we 
keep 0’s on the other side on board, we have a shot at winning the game."
In the 20th minute of the game, the Rockets (3-1-0) jumped on top of the Mountaineers with a header by Simon Byrtus off of a corner kick by Luke Wander.
"Three of us went up for the ball," said Byrtus, a senior from Germany. "One of my teammates, an opponent and I each went for the ball. They missed it and I was able to put it in through the goalie’s legs."
With their record at 0-2-1, Tuscola has a young team. With six returning, and only four seniors, off of last year’s squad, head coach Ray Sugg is having to rely on a bunch of players who were on the JV’s just a year ago.
"The younger kids have stepped it up," said Sugg, who has only 4 seniors on the team compared to five sophomores and seven juniors. "but they haven’t played at this speed before. Reynolds is better than us and I thought we played well against them."
One of the players he is relying on is senior Richard Maloy, a big kid, who has 3 of the four goals that Tuscola has scored on the season.
"Richard is just now realizing the strength and speed he has," added Sugg. "He has great foot work, but he needs to learn how to pull the trigger quicker."
The final score came just 30 seconds into the second half. Lincoln "Linc" Howell, a senior, took a crossing shot from the right side of the net from Jake Sides and booted it in from 10 yards out, giving the Rockets their 2-0 win.
"It was a good cross, the best we had all game," said Howell. "One of our guys had a shot at it, but missed. I was at the right place at the right time."
Tuscola’s goalie, Marc Bundy, had a good game in the net also. He had 7 saves on 18 shots on goal.
The Mountaineers finished with 3 shots on goal.
Reynolds has two more games this week. Tuesday, they play Brevard at Roberson starting at 7:00 and on Thursday, they travel to Owen for a game at 7:00.
Tuscola plays at Pisgah on Wednesday, with a 6:00 start.
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