Speedy Jacobs flys past Bartlett

Speed is a dangerous weapon on a soccer field.

The Jacobs boys soccer team has plenty of speed and displayed it Thursday evening.

All three goals came as Golden Eagles players beat Bartlett defenders to the ball and scored as Jacobs beat the Hawks, 3-0, in Algonquin.

“We definitely want to play to our strengths and we know we’re fast,” Jacobs coach Anthony Cappello said. “When we’re playing our style of soccer, we can create some chances.”

Anthony Moscatello got the Golden Eagles (4-1) on the board just over 3 minutes into the match. Jacobs goalkeeper Zvonko Kavelj caught a Bartlett free kick and played a long ball over the Hawks’ defense. Moscatello won the foot race and beat a Hawks defender to the ball. Bartlett goalkeeper Justin Busch appeared to get to the ball, but never got control of the ball. Moscatello had an open net to put the loose ball in for a 1-0 led with 36:44 remaining in the fist half.

“If the defense is stepping up, (long balls are) what we look for,” Moscatello said. “Balls on the ground, maybe in the air. Whatever works for us.”

With 3:50 left in the opening half, Mike Mamola beat Busch, who had came way off his line, to a ball 35 yards away from the Hawks goal. Mamola got his foot on the ball, past Busch and into an open net for a 2-0 Jacobs lead.

Tommy Gallagher tacked on an insurance goal with 5:17 remaining in the second half running onto a through ball on the right side. His initial shot was saved by Busch, who finished with four saves. The rebound went right to Gallagher, who converted for the goal.

“(Jacobs) had the speed to capitalize,” Hawks coach Ben Beary said. “We came out flat and didn’t respond well.”

The Hawks (0-4) have struggled putting the ball in the net so far this season. They have scored just once in four games. After producing little offensively in the first half, Bartlett created several chances in the second half. Marcus Singleton was alone in the box, but Jacobs goalkeeper Johan Wolf, who replaced Kavelj at halftime, made the save with 26:30 left in the match. Less than a minute later, Adam Jones’ header off a free kick went right into Wolf’s hands.

“A series of mistakes, a series of letdowns. Not our best day,” Beary said.