Gondos Explode in Big League Win

Last Friday, the Venice High boys soccer team posted the most impressive result of the season in Western League play, handing Palisades its first league loss at Palisades. On Wednesday, the Gondoliers might have topped that.

Facing a Hamilton squad that beat them 3-0 earlier in the year, the Gondoliers' offense erupted for four second-half goals en route to a 5-1 beatdown of the Yankees.

“Today was a must-win game and the kids played like it," Venice head coach Martin Zarate said  "They were playing with a lot of confidence after that Pali game, and today they played like the team I know they can be."

For the first 40 minutes, it was Hamilton that had the better of play. The Yankees converted on one of their first scoring opportunities when Luis Sanchez shot a low line drive that deflected off a player and slipped past the Venice goalkeeper, giving Hamilton a 1-0 lead.

For much of the first half, Hamilton dominated the possession. Venice had few scoring chances and it looked as though the Gondoliers would be heading into halftime down a goal. But then, one play changed the whole outlook of the game.

With less than two minutes left in the first half, Venice had a corner kick opportunity. Several Venice players were taller than their defenders, and that height came into play when sophomore defender Brian Loreto got his head onto a ball that grazed the inside of the post and trickled in, tying the game with seconds left in the half.

“Loreto was working hard all day in practice yesterday on that set piece, and it showed today," Zarate said of the play. "The ball was there, he was there, it was just a perfect play. That goal gave us all the confidence in the world going into the second half.”

Once the second half started, the flood gates began to open. It didn’t take long for Venice to take the lead for good. Off yet another set piece, Raul Martinez headed a ball that was batted around in the box and ultimately landed in the back of the net. Hamilton players pleaded for a foul, but none was called.

Just 10 minutes later, Venice delivered what Zarate called the "backbreaker." Off of a throw-in, Zoe Johnson pulled his version of a Babe Ruth by calling his shot.

Johnson yelled out “Carlos” before throwing it, and the ball went straight to midfielder Carlos Flores, who flicked a beautiful ball off the back of his head that sailed over the Hamilton goalkeeper to give his team a 3-1 lead.

“I really wanted to get that third goal," Zarate said. "I don’t like 2-1 score lines. Not only does the third goal break their back, but it shows those who see the score that we were clearly the better team today, which I thought was the case.”

From there, the Gondoliers didn’t let up in their quest to prove they belong in the playoffs. Star forward Armin Gordian hit a perfect free kick into the lower left hand corner. The goalkeeper never stood a chance.

Just five minutes later, Venice notched its fifth and final goal. After the Hamilton goalkeeper bobbled a free kick, Flores was the only body near the ball and he banged a shot through for his second goal. Venice made a statement with the four-goal victory.

“I honestly don’t think we have played a single team that outplayed us on the field," Zarate said. "The two closest teams to that were Palisades and Hamilton, and we just showed that we can beat them any given day. I hope we get the chance to prove that in the playoffs.”

The Gondoliers wrap up the regular season Friday at Westchester, a team that they beat 6-2 in the first league meeting. If there is a knock on the Gondoliers, it is that they tend to overlook teams.  Earlier in the season, Venice played to a scoreless draw at home against LACES, a team it had beaten 4-0 on the road.

“It shouldn’t take much to motivate the guys for this last game, especially the seniors," Zarate said. "They know that this game could be the last of their career. If that’s not motivation enough for them, I don’t know what is.”

The Gondoliers can cap off the season with three straight wins when they travel to Westchester on Friday for a 2:30 kickoff.