By Larry Moko
It was a special kind of preseason for some of St. John Henry Newman's high school soccer players.
"We did an eight-day journey to Italy with a group of junior and senior players," Newman Cardinals' coach Gerry Moretuzzo said.
He spoke of the trip Thursday after Newman's 4-1 victory over the Cathedral Gaels to open the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic senior boys' high school soccer schedule.
"We just got back Sunday," Moretuzzo added. "We had a bit of a disrupted preseason ... not typical of what we like to do. But we couldn't pass up the opportunity."
A Newman soccer delegation earlier visited Racalmuto, Sicily in 2018.
"There's a province in Italy called Agrigento," Moretuzzo said."They are the province of culture for 2025. Because they are sister cities with Hamilton, they invited us again."
Playing at Cathedral, the Cardinals took a while to take flight against the Gaels. Cathedral opened the scoring on a 25-yard blast by Farel Ngoida.
Newman then responded before the half on a spinning volley goal from Miles Phillips.
The Cardinals got another marker from Phillips in the second half along with two by Stefan Trkulja.
"I wasn't sure what to expect and how we were going to manage being down a goal," the Newman coach said. "We kept our heads, though, and put pressure on them. We eventually got a goal and started playing our game."
Despite the loss, Cathedral coach Francesco D'Ambrosio likes what he sees from the Gaels.
"This is probably the best squad that has come out of Cathedral in a while," D'Ambrosio said. "I'm excited about the talent we have."
One of the most dynamic Gaels is Ngoida, who sat out all of last season as a transfer from ACMT.
"In my opinion, he's the best striker in the city," D'Ambrosio said. "He's going to put Cathedral on the map. I can tell. He's a fantastic player and student."
On the subject of goal-scorers, Moretuzzo points out that the Cardinals have some excellent players up front, too.
"We have Kenan Hodzic and Massimo Cuda," he said. "They are third and fourth-year proven strikers. I wouldn't take anyone over those two."
The Cardinals have captured two consecutive OFSAA silver medals at the provincial AAA level.
"We've got a lot of new guys," Moretuzzo said. "It's a bit of a turnover from last year. We have five or six new spots available.
"We need a chance to push each other for playing time at practices and games. That will make the group better."
Moretuzzo said creating a competitive environment within the team is important.
"I told the kids there are two competitions this year. There's the internal competitions of guys finding a place on the team and pushing for an opportunity to play. And then we have the external competition of the league and the teams we play against."
Moretuzzo describes Cathedral as "an up-and-coming" team.
"Credit to them," he said. "They're athletic, aggressive and enthusiastic."
In other action Thursday, the St. Jean de Brebeuf Braves edged the ACMT Jaguars, 2-1, the Bishop Ryan Celtics blanked the St. Mary Crusaders, 4-0, while the St. Thomas More Knights Bishop Tonnos Titans tied, 0-0.
Photos by R.F. (Bob) Butrym, RFB Sport Photography
More photos on HWCDSB Athletics Facebook page
