Moschella, Bonaddio boost Garnet Valley

RIDLEY — As Garnet Valley goalie Michael Bonaddio was making save after save after save, the Jaguars and Ridley were locked up in a tight contest. Midfielder Ty Moschella made sure Bonaddio’s 22-save effort would count for something.

His goal with 5:46 left gave Garnet Valley a 6-5 victory over Ridley Thursday in Central League action. The Jaguars, losers for the first time earlier this week, rebounded in one of the toughest places to play in Delaware County. It was not lost on Jaguars coach Frank Urso.

“Not an easy task,’ he said. “Not an easy task at all. We knew it coming in.’

The reason for the victory? Well, that would be Bonaddio.

“That was the difference,’ Urso said. “That simple.’

The junior goalie was on fire, keeping a determined Ridley side at bay — especially after Moschella netted what turned out to be the game-winning goal. An onslaught with about two minutes to go was denied at each turn by Bonaddio.

He didn’t remember much.

“I just forget everything,’ Bonaddio said. “I forget saves.’

A humble kid, Bonaddio credited his defense and his team. He knew they needed to respond after Tuesday’s defeat to Springfield, and they did. It was clinched when Moschella spun past a defender behind the goal and fired the ball past Ridley keeper Dawson Faust.

It was his second goal of the night. It wasn’t a surprise to Urso – “he’s fancy’ – or to Moschella.

“You learn to keep it on tight,’ Moschella explained. “The opportunity came, I just took it.’

Moschella’s first goal came in the second quarter and tied the score at 2. It was one of the middle goals in Garnet Valley’s run of four straight scores. Up 4-2, the Jags saw Ridley respond to quickly tie the game midway through the third quarter via strikes from middie Devon Tavani and attacker/middie Bill Rouse.

Attacker Denny Nealon gave Garnet Valley the lead back with 26 seconds to go in the third quarter, but Ridley’s Cade Stratton tied it with 7:52 to go. That set the stage for Moschella’s winner.

“It’s always a good feeling beating Ridley, one of our rivals,’ Moschella said. “Huge win, proud of my teammates.’

It wouldn’t have been possible with the efforts of Bonaddio. He already has been in contact with Division I schools like Colgate and Robert Morris, but right now, would prefer to play at a lower level so he can focus on academics.

Currently, he’s a little busy standing on his head to worry too much about the next step.

“It was our goalie, that was the difference in the game,’ Urso said. “He was crazy good.’

Those kind words, the attention, the accolades … they haven’t been in short supply for Bonaddio. Him admitting to what’s been said about him is a different story.

“I noticed I was seeing the ball well,’ said Bonaddio with a half smile.