Halcones No Match For 'Crackers in Semi-Final

July 7th 2008

The 2008 San Jose Men's First Division soccer playoffs got started with a bang on Monday with the two favorites coming out on top.  All the action was at San Jose's PAL Stadium, and La Soledad dismantled Agave in the 6pm game, 4-1.

The second leg of the doubleheader was Firecrackers vs. Halcones.  In their previous meeting, the Firecrackers came out victorious by a score of 2-0.  The team was looking to continue that success.

"We knew they would be ready, this is the playoffs.  They're a solid team, and we felt like they belonged here, so we weren't exactly taking them lightly," John Basanese said.

That was pretty obvious to the 50 or so fans who turned out for the game.  The 'Crackers jumped straight on Halcones scoring two 'beauty's' in the first 15 minutes.

The first goal started with a pass from Ronnie Jenkins to a checking forward, Jeremy Basanese.  Jeremy expertly played a one touch square ball to Jenkins who had continued his run.  The ball had eyes, and found it's way past two defenders and onto Ron's feet.  Ronnie then played a perfectly weighted ball down the line to a streaking Justin Basanese.  Just took one look up, and swung in one of his patented left footed crosses.  The ball found forward Sean Stonehouse waiting.  Sean made no mistake, heading the ball into the right side netting, past a helpless goalkeeper. 1-0.

"From a buildup standpoint, that was definitely one of the top goals of the season.  We've got great pace, and great touch on this team, and that cross was a thing of beauty.  Sean did what forwards should do, and put it away.  A nice finish to a great goal." John Basanese said.

The second goal was  scored as the result of hard work by forward Jeremy Basanese.  Jeremy stole the ball from two defenders and bent a great shot around the onrushing keeper.  The photos were captured quite nicely, see below.  2-0

At halftime the score was 2-0.

The game would continue with the Firecrackers handling increased pressure from the Halcone attack.  A nice cross from Stonehouse, that found Brandon Stirm sealed the game.

The defense held well, and eventually conceded when a Halcone player found himself alone on the far post after a free kick.  The goal was too little too late, as it made the score 3-1.

The team played great top to bottom, especially considering the missing players, but there was one individual effort that stood out. 

With a few minutes to play, Ronnie Jenkins took found the ball at his feet around midfield.  He took off for goal beating several, probably 8 players on his way.  His great run culminated in a bad angle shot that bounced off the far post woodwork, and he narrowly missed a spectacular goal.

"Ronnie has that type of thing in him," John Basanese (who coached Ronnie in high school) said. 

"He's an attacking player at heart, but we play him in the back because of his skill.  He's crucial for this team, and that play showed just how exceptional his abilities are."

The win puts the Firecrackers back in the final, this time against arch-nemesis, La Soledad.  The teams each beat each other during the regular season, for the Crackers, it was their only loss. 

The championship game is scheduled for 6pm at PAL Stadium on the 14th of July.  Come see the final!

Photos from the match, including some team photos can be found here.

Thanks to Mr. John Basanese Sr. for driving from Hollister to cheer us on and take photos.  They are first rate as usual!

www.sjfirecrackers.com