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By Bucky Brennan

Knights’ Jonathan Odell scores his goal in the second half. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

The defending champion St. John’s Knights defeated the Sanchez Sharks 3-0 in their IIAAG Boys’s Soccer League matchup Wednesday night at St. John’s field.

The Knights controlled much of the game with a stellar defensive unit that left little room for Sanchez’s offense to operate. St. John’s got going in the first behind goals from Cedric Sevilla and Kai Frenay.

At the break, with the Knights dominating most of the first half possession, both coaches brought their teams in for a mid-game huddle.

St. John’s showed their control of the game and the ball as the first 15 minutes of the second half saw the ball stay on the Knights offensive side. St. Johns had Sanchez’s defense scrambling and attack after attack was thrown at the Sharks goal. Excellent ball control and perfect touches from the Knights saw 14 shots on goal in the early half with the highlight coming from Jonathan Odell’s well worked piece of magic in the sixth minute.

Sharks’ Keith Amuan and Knights’ Fujin Shimoda sprint after the ball. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Odell took a defensive clearance that a Shark defender misjudged to start a break. Sanchez defenders scrambled, but Odell used some fancy footwork to dribble through two Sharks at the top of the box. Odell then turned the ball to his left foot and launched a rocket that left the Sanchez keeper little time to react. His one-timer reamed loudly off the bottom of the crossbar earning a resounding gasp from the entire crowd.

St. John’s continued their domination well into the mid-section of the half, and their defense held Sanchez to long-distance, low percentage shots. Odell continued to be a thorn in the Sharks defense as he and the Knights seemed to threaten anytime he had the ball. Odell missed several shots and his teammates failed to convert several beautiful crosses that sailed dangerously through the box.

In the 31^st minute though, Odell took another through ball with a perfectly timed run that gave him a one-on-one opportunity with the goalie. Tired of coming up short on opportunities, Odell sent a finesse shot to the right corner that put the Knights up 3-0.

With the goal, the Sharks seemed deflated. Though the Knights had several more opportunities, they failed to convert and at the end of regulation, the Knights comfortably earned a 3-0 victory.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Knights’ Jonathan Odell tries to dribble past the defense of Sharks’ Donovan Alger. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks goalie Keith Amuan looks to defend a shot in the second half. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Donovan Alger and Knights’ Jonathan Odell fight to gain possession of the ball. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Keith Dumanal and Knights’ Jacon Ishizu fight for possession of the ball. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Sharks’ Matthew Quinata looks to defend the offense of Knights’ Jonathan Odell. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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