Eagles aim for two straight wins against Torch

Clarkstown Eagles midfielder Josue Ortiz on the ball against Buxmont Torch on July 29th, 2016. Picture by Bill Linder

Defending Keystone Conference champions Clarkstown Eagles travel to Pennsylvania on Saturday to face Buxmont Torch at Pennridge High School at 6:00 p.m.

Buxmont sits in fourth place in the Keystone Conference on a 2-1-1 record. The Eagles are one spot above them in third place with a game in hand, owning a 2-0-1 record. 

Clarkstown is the best scoring team in the Northeast Conference, netting 3.33 goals per game. They scored five goals in a game twice this season, against Greater Binghamton FC Thunder and in their last game against Junior Lone Star FC.

The Eagles' head coach Oliver Papraniku is assured that if his players play up to their potential against Buxmont they will continue their scoring prowess.

"Our team looks to play the best possible soccer and if we do that the goals will come," Papraniku said.

A win on Saturday will grant Clarkstown their first win streak of the season as they defeated Junior Lone 5-2 in their last game.

Coach Papraniku is eager to get a second consecutive win.

"We take every game seriously and are totally focused on playing our game against a strong Buxmont squad," the Albanian said. 

Clarkstown entered the season with a rejuvenated roster--the "One Super Team"-- mixed of CSL sides' Cedar Stars Academy, NY Greek Americans and Lansdowne Bhoys’ players and GSSL team FC Motown’s players. 

Coach Papraniku noted that The One Super Team is still in the beginning process of their journey.

"We have only played three NPSL games and are just getting our squad together," he said. "So I look forward to the players continuing their progress as a cohesive unit."

Key stats

• Buxmont lost to Junior Lone 4-1 in their season opener when the Eagles downed Junior Lone 5-2 in their last game.
• Clarkstown defeated Torch three times in their last five NPSL meetings.
• Buxmont is on a two-game unbeaten run when the Eagles will be going after their first unbeaten run of the season.
• Buxmont had the same three scorers in their two wins this season: David Shafer, Philip Shafer and Pedro Sousa.

Players to watch

Clarkstown Eagles:

Midfielder Jonathan Yazo: Yazo leads the team in assists with two in three games and is the second topscorer with a goal.

Buxmont Torch:

Forward Philip Shafer: 6' 4'' striker Shafer netted Buxmont's opener in their two victories this season against Hersey FC and Greater Binghamton FC Thunder and leads the team in scoring with two goals.

Record and position

Clarkstown Eagles: 2-1-0, third in the Keystone Conference.
Buxmont Torch: 2-1-1, fourth in the Keystone Conference.

Last meeting

7-29-16: Clarkstown Eagles 3-0 Buxmont Torch at Ramapo College