KIPP’s Kelvin Imalenowa dribbles past Foxborough’s Billy Dryden. Photo by Bob Roche
By Harold Rivera
LYNN — A goal in the 44th minute by Josh Canales gave the KIPP Academy boys soccer team life in the second half of Thursday evening’s clash against Foxborough Regional Charter at Manning Field. But it wasn’t enough for KIPP (0-2) as Foxborough held on for a 3-1 win over the Panthers.
Foxborough’s offense got off to a fast start with a pair of goals in the first 15 minutes of the game. Aidan Rego got the Falcons on the board with a score in the third minute on an assist from Alejandro Quinchia. Then, in the 15th minute, CJ McKenzie found the net to give the Falcons a 2-0 lead.
KIPP’s slow start prompted head coach Zach Trotsky to make some changes.
“We altered our formation slightly” Trotsky said. “We started 4-4-2 and then went 4-5-1. It didn’t change our plan too much. It was just two set pieces and we need to work on those more in practice. We kept playing hard and tough and we were right there with them.”
Trotsky’s adjustments paid dividends for KIPP, as the Panthers tightened up on defense after a slow start and held their ground to end the first half at 2-0.
Canales looked to get KIPP on the board in the 39th minute, but his corner kick was blocked by Foxborough’s defense. Canales tried again with another corner kick in the in the 44th minute, and this one resulted in a handball penalty called against the Falcons.
On the ensuing penalty kick, Canales beat Foxborough goalkeeper Nathan Diveiros to give the Panthers life and make it 2-1.
“That was huge,” Trotsky said. “We were down 2-0 and we got that handball to bounce. Josh is automatic in there so it was an easy 2-1 score. Once we made it 2-1, the guys on the field and the bench, knew we were right there.”
However, the Falcons answered quickly. James Dimino found the net in the 50th minute, making it a two-goal lead for Foxborough again at 3-1.
“We came out strong in the second half,” Trotsky said. “We had them, but we just couldn’t score enough goals.”
KIPP had chances to crawl back into the game with a pair of free kicks in the 54th and 57th minutes, but Canales missed on both attempts.
Aubrey Connors tried to find the net for KIPP in the 63rd minute, but his shot was denied by Foxborough’s Diveiros.
The Falcons held on in the final minutes for the 3-1 win.
Despite the loss, Trotsky said he noticed a number of positives from his team moving forward.
“We really responded well to our feedback at halftime,” Trotsky said. “We came out stronger, we communicated better and we kept our heads up. We’ll bring that into our next game.”
KIPP received a strong performance in net from goalkeeper Jordanny Delgado, who finished the contest with 10 saves.
“He’s been busting his butt to get on the field,” Trotsky said of his goalie. “He’s very confident in net, he’s a strong leader on our team and he’s been working with the younger kids. He’s really helping us out.”
Also performing well for the Panthers was a pair of freshmen to keep an eye on in midfielder David Macario and defender Mohamed Ndiaye.
KIPP’s next game is on Friday at 5:15 when the Panthers visit Salem Academy.