And as the song went, “Second verse, same as the first.”
Another boys soccer showdown Tuesday between defending state Class D champion Hamilton and its chief nemesis, the Poland Tornadoes, ended exactly like their first meeting on Sept. 4 — with the Emerald Knights on top by a score of 1-0. Based on so many important match-ups through the years, Hamilton and Poland knew each other’s tendencies quite well. That, combined with wild weather conditions, all but assured a low-scoring affair. Hamilton’s defense had to face the brunt of the Tornadoes’ attacks. As he did in the earlier meeting, sweeper Joe Taranto kept the rest of the back line steady, and when shots did reach the net, Kinnon Nolan-Finkel proved effective, earning seven saves. The only goal of the contest came when the Emerald Knights’ Dan Meeks, working off a feed from Dan Kraynak, slid a shot past Poland goalie Justin Weakley. It was one of just three shots Hamilton gained all game — but it made the difference.