The Verona High School boys soccer team defeated Irvington High School yesterday 4-1 in their home opener.
Verona controlled the first half but entered halftime down 1-0. The team came out of the break strong when, just two minutes into the second half, Evan Spong found the back of Irvington’s net with a shot from 12 yards out.
The quick goal energized the team because just a moment later, Verona defender Charlie Pepe sent a long ball over the Knight’s defense, which Brian Cleaver chased down and shot past the keeper to make the score 2-1.
In the 52nd minute, freshman Kyle Moore stole the ball from two Irvington defenders and sent a pass into the box, which Cleaver one-timed into the goal for a 3-1 lead.
Late in the game, Pepe took a corner kick that curled into Irvington’s goal off a defender’s head, for a final score of 4-1. Goalkeepers Joey Farmer and Marcus Benninghof split time in Verona’s net and made one save apiece.
