SPORTS: Crusaders Overpower North Middlesex

In Central Mass. soccer action, sophomore forward Gabe Dingle tallied two goals and added an assist and junior Matt Tornaritis had a goal and assist to lead No. 5 Groton-Dunstable (2-1-2) to a 4-0 win over visiting North Middlesex (0-4-1).

No doubt about it, this was game dominated by the Crusaders who outshot the Patriots 17-9. NM keeper Mike Niemi just did not have a lot of help in front with the Crusaders creating multiple scoring opportunities. One of the reasons is Matt Tornaritis who sees the field so well and is extremely creative with his deft passes to teammates.

Seven minutes into the contest, GD took a 1-0 lead when Tornaritis maneuvered smartly down the left side, around defenders, and dished a pass across in front of the Patriots net to Dingle who finished. It just looked so easy!

In the 16th minute junior forward Matt Straw finished a rebound off a shot and blasted it home for the 2-0 halftime lead.

Four minutes into the second stanza, Tornaritis dribbled past two players, broke into the box and using his left foot, finished past Niemi to the far post to give GD a 3-0 advantage at 45:40.  

In the 58th minute senior Dan McGuinness sent a perfect cross to Dingle who headed a low ball to the near post to complete the scoring.

The Patriots' Jacob Fitzgerald, who was a force throughout the game, hit the cross bar in the 63rd minute but it came back as hard as Fitzgerald hit it.

Senior Jamie Bailey stopped all nine shots he saw and junior Chris Buzan, who saw limited action, made a nice save to help preserve the shutout.

"We finally got our offense going and the defense including Tim Hillbrunner, Tyler Poitras and Nick Fordham really played well," said GD coach Sean Wisbey. "I was thinking, what a great weekend. We got our offense going, won the game but we end up losing Matt (Tornaritis) with an ankle injury. That is a big loss."

"Tough stretch, four games in the next seven days," he continued. "I'm pleased we are at .500. Lots of players will be seeing action in the next week."

hots favored the Crusaders 21-10 and corner kicks 5-0.

GD is at Hudson Thursday, 9/26 and home against Quabbin Saturday, 9/28.