Baker stumps North 5-2 in boys’ soccer
Realizing how far the North Fort Myers defense was playing up, the visiting Ida Baker Bulldogs were determined to send the ball ahead in a boys’ soccer match Tuesday at Moody Field.
The attack plan proved to be more effective given the speed and finishing ability of senior Joe Johnson and junior Nick Presti.
Displaying outstanding teamwork, the tandem accounted for all five Bulldogs goals in a 5-2 win over North.
Johnson scored three times and Presti added two. All the goals came in the last 25 minutes of the first half, giving the Bulldogs (5-2-1) a commanding 5-0 lead.
“We’ve got a lot of speed up front with Johnson and Presti,” Baker coach Mick Whitewood said. “We knew that North plays their defense up. We thought with our speed we could get behind them.”
In the second half, the Red Knights (3-8) outshot the Bulldogs 5-2. Robbie Arrastina scored on a header in the first two minutes of the second half off a throw-in from junior Scott Belbeck. Belbeck added the second goal with about 18 minutes remaining.
The Red Knights, though, were unable to climb out of the deep hole.
Both teams were quiet in the first 15 minutes, but the Bulldogs struck first when Presti set up Johnson in the center, from about 10 yards.
Four minutes later, the Bulldogs grabbed a 2-0 lead. The scoring play began when midfielder Harvey Rincon sent a long pass ahead to Johnson.
It forced North goalkeeper Chris Hamilton to come out to the top of the 18-yard box, and when Presti got to the ball first he passed to Johnson for a wide-open blast from 25 yards.
Whitewood said the two strikers have developed strong chemistry.
“They’ve formed a partnership that is any coach’s dream,” Whitewood said. “They understand and know what each other is thinking.”
The Bulldogs continued to press the attack with the Johnson and Presti leading the way.
Several players contributed to the third goal. Daniel Sharkey sent a deep pass into the corner. The Red Knights tried to clear it, but midfielder Daniel Arango gained possession for the Bulldogs. He passed to Presti on the right side of the goal and Presti assisted Johnson, making it 3-0.
The fourth goal came with three minutes left in the half when Johnson’s shot came off the goalkeeper and Presti was in position to deposit the rebound
Johnson added his third goal in the final seconds of the half.
Though the offense came alive, the Bulldogs were supported by strong defense. That group was led by senior Anthony Frederick, junior Santiago Vanegas, junior Brian Leon and junior Diego Ferron.
The Bulldogs return to action Friday at Mariner. North hosts Barron Collier Thursday.