6/15/03 Haledon 4-2 Oakland (Haledon, NJ)

After a shaky spring season, Haledon found its winning ways again in the first round of the playoffs.

Playing a scrappy Oakland from the NJSL East Division for the first time ever in league play, Haledon battled the heat, a brief second half letdown, and a physical confrontation to come away with the 4-2 victory at home.

In the first half the team kept attacking, but couldn't break through the Oakland defense until around the twenty minute mark when a Frank Piccininni corner kick turned into an own goal. From then on, Haledon jumped all over Oakland. A short time later, another Piccininni corner found Matt Huebner's head, who banged it home for the 2-0 lead. This was followed by a goal from super-sub John Ezmat, who only required four minutes of playing time to score, and then promptly hurt himself and be removed from the game. At the end of the half, Steve Robinson finally notched his first goal since returning from his self-imposed exile earlier this spring. Matt Kastner also was tremendous in goal, helping preservere the first half shutout by stopping a PK.

In the second half, things began to get fiesty as the lack of an official referee (duties ably handled by Ken Kneis) as well as the heat started to take their toll on emotions for both teams. Oakland was able to put in a goal, and later overly physical play by an Oakland player led to an altercation, which in turn led to the ejection of a player from both teams. Later, Oakland scored another, but Haledon "battened down the hatches", and held on for the win.

5/18/03 Haledon 0-0 Parsippany Blues (Parsippany, NJ)

Once again, Haledon had another great defensive performance, and another lackluster offensive showing in tying the Parsippany Blues 0-0 in Parsippany.

Haledon came into the game knowing that although the scoreline between the two teams in their last meeting didn't show it, that this was a tough Parsippany team. And both teams played very well. Haledon had the better offensive chances, but although the team was able to keep the ball in the Parsippany end for much of the game, they were not able to put it across the line.

Meanwhile, goalie Matt Kastner made several great saves in backing up the stalwart defensive four of Brad Smith, Steve Every, Scott Shappell and Pete Huryk.

5/11/03 Haledon 1-1 Turkish Eagles (Haledon, NJ)

Facing another tough opponent, Haledon fell behind early, then knotted the score late to gain a point against the Turkish Eagles.

The team conceded a goal on a perfect cross and finish at around the twenty minute mark, but never let it get them down. Continuing to battle and press, the defense locked down the visitor's attack, and created several good chances that were not able to find the mark.

Battling to create something in the waning moments, Haledon managed to draw a corner kick in the 90th minute. In the confusion of bodies, Matty Huebner managed to get a head on the ball, which took a nasty deflection off a defender and rolled into the goal.

5/4/03 Haledon 2-5 Real Wyckoff (Haledon, NJ)

Haledon controlled much of the play, and outshot their opponents, but fell behind early and were not able to recover in a 5-2 loss to Real Wyckoff.

In the first half, the home side was able to create many good scoring chances, but were unable to convert. Wyckoff on the other hand, jumped on the few chances they got before intermission, scoring 3 goals on four shots. Sporting a comletely revampted lineup from the one they fielded in the fall, their counter attacks surprised Haledon out of the gate.

In the second half, Haledon had the better of the play, but once again it was Wyckoff who did the scoring as they netted a miracle 40 yard blast at around the 65 minute mark. Haledon did not let their heads down, and finally they were rewarded when Scott Shappell was brought down in the box for a penalty kick the Frank Piccininni converted. A short while later, after much pressing, a Piccininni corner kick resulted in a header for Matt Huebner that found the back of the net.

The team continue to press and create chances, but were unable to finish any of them. The visitors put the nail in the coffin when with about five minutes left, the ball was stolen at midfield, and with few defenders back the visitors knocked it around a few times before putting it away.

4/27/03 Haledon 0-0 Black Label (Haledon, NJ)

Haledon posted its third shutout of the year Sunday, but was unable to convert any of its chances and had to settle for a 0-0 tie with Black Label. Making its return to the pitch for the first time since December, and minus fall starters Gregg Rehberger (knee injury) and Brad Smith (Hanta virus), the defense of Steve Every, Matt Huebner, Carlos Bueno, Scott Shappell, and goalkeeper Matt Kastner managed to deny the visitors any serious opportunity.
Offensively, the team managed to create some good opportunities, but could not finish them. Several good shots went either just wide, or were covered by the Black Label keeper.
The effort overall was decent given the long layoff and changes to the team, including the return of the prodigal son, Steve Robinson from his fall hiaitus.

3/30/03 Haledon 3- 2 Randolph (Elizabeth, NJ)
In preparation for their home opener versus Parsippany on April 6th, Haledon scrimmaged non-conference opponent Randolph at the RexPlex on Sunday. Playing in a cold steady drizzle, the team edged their opponents 3-2, and got a much needed workout after a long winter layoff.
Haledon showed decent form in the first half. Controlling the play and working the ball around, several excellent chances were created. Working the ball wide and then across the middle, the boys in white managed to spread their opponents thin and take control. This strategy culminated with two first half goals, one each from Werner Mashig and Vin Gatto.

The second half was another story, as the team's lack of fitness was evident when they let a pesky Randolph team back in it. Led by an early goal from a dashing, mysterious left midfielder who's piercing run and brilliant finish breathed new life into their team, Randolph began to make a spirited run at Haledon. A short while later, they found the back of the net again, as HLSC seemed to get tired. They went up for good though on a late breakaway chip-shot from Jim McIntyre.

Although the team showed that fitness-wise it has a long way to go, they did demonstrate their sense of purpose in winning, and picking up where they left off in league play in the fall.

10/6/02 Haledon 1 - 5 Turkish Eagles (Bloomfield, NJ)
Haledon fell behind early to the Turkish Eagles, and never fully recovered in being shocked by the Turkish Eagles Sunday at Brookdale Park in Bloomfield. Early defensive lapses led to two goals before Haledon was able to start asserting itself over the home team. Going into halftime, Haledon kept is close on a Scott Shappell goal coming on a header off of a Steve Every long cross into the box. In the second half the visitors were not able to finish a myriad of chances, and continued to allow counter-attacks through on goalkeeper Matt Kastner. Although thoroughly outshooting the Eagles, Haledon was very out of synch on a bumpy field. They were not able to sustain the level of play it had through the first three games, and fell by a final of 5-1.