OCT. 8 – The Centurions men’s soccer team, currently running 4-8, played their third game on Oct. 8 against a surging Sussex team.

Sussex kept their winning streak alive as they shutout the Centurions 3-0 in a game where the final score did not tell an accurate story.

The game proved physical when Brandon Milan and Cody Malosiecki went down with a mild concussion. 

The Sussex Skylanders took a 1-0 lead in the first half, and the game stayed that way for much of the game and most of the second half thanks to the efforts of Centurion goalie Mike Klimonicz and the Centurion defenders.

The Skylanders put the game out of reach late in the second half thanks to a pair of goals.

Despite the three goals allowed by Klimonicz, Coach Justin Burroughs raved about his play by saying, “He played phenomenal.”

Burroughs went on to talk about his team’s overall play when he said, “Sussex didn’t really do anything that you point to as a glaring, but it was more we didn’t capitalize on our opportunities and we had a couple of mental lapses.”

Burroughs was asked if he thought his team still had a shot for the playoffs and he said, “Yes, I think so we just have to keep playing hard and taking advantage of our chances or we won’t make it.”

The game was not an accurate picture of the Centurions skills, because they were unable to substitute players due to injuries and some players not being able to make the trip to Sussex County College.

OCT. 12 – Dan Foley had a goal and an assist against Bergen on Wednesday Oct. 12 as he led the Bucks Centurions to a 2-1 victory.

“I think we just got more team chemistry after the cheap shots by them, and then we were just able to rally and get the win.” Foley said.

The Centurions were coming into this game after being shut out the previous Saturday by Sussex, and were searching for some serious offense.

Injuries played a big part in the game as several players were not able to play for the Centurions. Vanderson Anderson’s ankle turned out to be broken; Cody Malosiecki was held out due to concussion symptoms, and a couple players didn’t show for personal reasons.

Goalie Damon Custer was forced to play in the field as a forward for the first time since high school. He put in a solid effort, and was not a liability on defense or offense.

The game started pretty even for the first few minutes, but the momentum soon turned in Bergen’s favor. Bergen practically lived in the Centurion’s zone in the first half as the Centurions struggled to generate much offense.

Goalie Mike Klimonicz had held his own despite the constant pressure, until Petar Radev of Bergen scored 35 minutes in to give his team a 1-0 lead.

When the Centurions were able to get the offense going they were able to score, but saw it called back on an off sides penalty.

The Centurions were fortunate at the end of the half that the score was only 1-0.

The second half started with the Centurions putting pressure on Bergen goalie Michael McCrickar. The Bergen defenders then proceeded to take some ill-advised defensive methods by “cheap-shotting” some of the Centurion players.

Once when Foley had the ball in the Bergen zone a defender put his cleat into Dan Foleys groin and sent him to the ground and another instance shortly after when Brandon Morninghoff had his legs cut out from under him by a Bergen player and sent him into an awkward landing.

Both players would be alright. The Centurion sideline was obviously upset, but the Centurions would keep their heads and put their anger to good use.

Shane Nicolo sent a pass to Brandon Milan who fired a shot in close on McCrickar, but the shot was partially blocked. Luckily, Foley was there to put the rebound in for the score.

The Centurions’ intense style of play lead to a Bergen turnover and Foley was able to feed Milan on a score giving the Centurions a 2-1 lead.

The Centurions withstood some late Bergen offensive pressure and closed out the game for the win.
Centurion Coach Justin Burroughs gave his take on the game’s events.

“I think overall we played pretty well, but we made some mistakes” Burroughs said, “I think in the first half we were kind of bickering to each other, but in the second half we decided to play together.”

The Bergen coach was unavailable for comment after the game due to a rainstorm that was on the way.

Klimonicz talked after the game about the gritty win saying “I think we just had a fire lit under us after the cheap shots, and maybe that’s what we need sometimes.”

“We fight sometimes, but ultimately we care about each other, and when one of our guys gets hurt, were going to stand up for them.” Klimonicz said.

OCT. 15 – The Bucks Centurions entered Saturday Oct. 15 badly needing a win against the Camden County Cougars in order to keep their playoff hopes alive. The game took place less than 24 hours after a game against the Mercer County Vikings.

Unfortunately they were not able get going as Cougar forward Milton Tucker scored two of the Cougars’ three goals and shutout the Centurions for a 3-0 win.

Camden Coach Guiseppe Lamberti said “I think we played okay, but I think we missed on some opportunities that we just weren’t able to put in the net.”

The Centurion’s playoffs chances have seemingly gone down the drain. This is the first time in the last 5 years that the Centurions have not been in the playoffs.

Centurion Coach Justin Burroughs after the game said “It was an okay game at times, but we lacked that fire and [the Cougars] capitalized on their opportunities and we didn’t.”

This marked the final home game for the Centurions this season.

OCT. 17 – Centurion defender Shane Nicolo scored two goals for the Centurions as they conquered the Gloucester County Roadrunners 4-2 in a rare Monday afternoon game on Oct. 17.

Going into the game some might have wondered if the Centurions would still play with the same intensity that they had for the last two games, even with no chance of making the playoffs.

The Centurions proved they still had the drive to win.

Captain Cody Malosiecki returned to play after suffering from a concussion and recorded an assist in the Centurion’s win.

Dan Foley and Brandon Morninghoff also scored for the Centurions.

Damon Custer played in goal for the Centurions.

“I think we played well, we kept our heads up and put in good effort.” Centurion Coach Justin Burroughs said.