Captain Rosero helps SJB tie Friars
(L) St Anthony's #20 Brendan Riordan drives the ball down field as (R) St John's #9 Junior Rosero defends. (Sept. 22, 2011) Credit: Newsday/Frank Koester
Before Thursday's game against St. Anthony's, Junior Rosero was named a captain for St. John the Baptist. With the Cougars down four starters because of injuries, Rosero filled the void the way a captain does.
The junior midfielder scored an incredible goal early in the second half to bring St. John the Baptist within one and Kevin Ferreira scored with nine minutes left to give host St. John the Baptist a 2-2 tie against St. Anthony's in CHSAA boys soccer.
"That's a big honor," Rosero said of being named captain. "Usually, it's always seniors that get that honor. I am happy to lead the team this year and next."
St. John was dominated in the first half and trailed 2-0, but Rosero, who was near the sideline, blasted a shot from 35 yards that landed in the upper left corner 13 minutes into the second half.
"I got the ball and shot it at an angle," Rosero said. "It started curving and went in. That's my third goal like that from that spot. It wasn't lucky."
Said St. John the Baptist coach Nick Gallagher: "He has that creativity. No other guy can do that. We constantly see that from him."
SJB (3-0-2, 2-0-1) continued to put the pressure on the Friars and Ferreira blasted a shot to the top middle of the net with nine minutes left to tie the score.
"I got the ball and turned and when I saw the opportunity to shoot, I took it," Ferreira said. "I thought it was going over the net and then I heard all the cheering."
St. Anthony's (5-2-1, 4-0-1) took a 1-0 lead five minutes into the game when Sergio Petrallia headed in a corner kick from Fabrizio Petrallia. Myles Bent scored with 29:35 left in the first half to make it 2-0.
"It's a tough tie," Bent said. "We have to do better as a unit in the second half. We have to step it up mentally and physically. We'll learn from this. We have to give them credit on the shots. They were pretty amazing."
Considering the Cougars were shorthanded and facing a two-goal deficit at the half, they were content with a tie.
"We consider this a very good tie," Ferreira said. "We were down three seniors and for juniors and freshmen to come into the game, they did a remarkable job."
Rosero has scored six goals this season and his goal gave the Cougars a jolt of energy.
"He deserves being a captain," Gallagher said. "He probably has the most talent, but he's a hard worker. You don't get that combination all the time."
