McIntyre scores twice as Cougars top EF
By JOSE NEGRON
Jnegron@yourmvi.com
Charleroi head coach Jon Ducoli never seems to fret when defenders surround Eben McIntyre.
Three defenders could swarm McIntyre or he could be faced with a one-on-one chance. Regardless of the situation, Ducoli remains confident in his junior standout’s ability to make something happen in the attacking third.
McIntyre justified Ducoli’s confidence Saturday at Warrior Stadium as he netted both of Charleroi’s goals in a 2-0 nonsection triumph over Elizabeth Forward.
Through seven games this season, McIntyre has scored 16 goals. He has a goal in every game and has six multi-goal games for the unbeaten Cougars (7-0), who now own wins over the Warriors (4-2) in each of the last three seasons.
“With a player like Eben, you’re definitely confident in how he can perform whether there are three guys on him or one guy on him,” Ducoli said. “Whenever there are guys on him, we have the firepower to move things around, too. We can move our formation on a whim and our back line is strong and fast.”
McIntyre picked up Charleroi’s first shot of the game with 29 minutes remaining in the first half as he battled for a loose ball alongside EF defender Gino Penascino. Despite a solid defensive effort from Penascino, McIntyre found a way to get a shot off, but it sailed wide left.
McIntyre had another opportunity less than a minute later, and this time, he didn’t miss.
Following an EF giveaway, McIntyre was able to track down a long ball from Dom Yocolano. He chipped it past an approaching EF goalkeeper Austin Onofrey to give Charleroi a 1-0 advantage.
McIntyre’s second goal came less than 10 minutes after his first.
The talented forward was able to get past a trio of Elizabeth Forward defenders and once again found the back of the net past Onofrey.
“I thought we had the right gameplan, we just didn’t execute it well enough on those two goals,” EF head coach Doug Finke said. “Eben is tough; he’s got the size, he’s got the speed and he’s got the touch. He’s a tough kid to defend, but the point is we shouldn’t have even let him get the ball in the first place.”
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