Timber Creek's DeLuca: A Blur With the Ball
There are few soccer players in South Jersey as dangerous with the ball as Giuseppe DeLuca, Timber Creek's electrifying forward. DeLuca, who is a senior (although he was listed as a junior on one of the rosters for the Coaches Tournament) has the ability to break down defenders while traveling at the fastest of speeds.
He proved it again in what might be the biggest play of his storied career. In Friday's South Jersey Group 3 title game, with time slipping away, DeLuca sped down the right flank, never losing control of the ball and then sent a cross in front of the goal that teammate Alex Kourahanis tipped in to tie the score 1-1 in the 79th minute.
Timber Creek then earned the South Jersey title by winnign the penalty kick segment, 5-4.
Things looked grim for the Chargers until DeLuca made that run. And the thing is that this has been a common occurrence during his career and especially this year.
He will enter Tuesday's state Group 3 semifinal against Princeton with 22 goals and 18 assists.
"He has great speed, strength and talent," Timber Creek coach Sean Ortzman said.
As with most talented forwards, DeLuca knows how to shed tight marking, find that opening and then it's off to the races.
He has yet to make a college choice and Ortzman said some Division III schools are showing the most interest.
We feel he'd be a steal at that level and his ability to break down defenders would make him a threat on any college level.
Either way, DeLuca has been the catalyst on an extremely talented Timber Creek team. Timber Creek has many offensive options, but DeLuca is clearly the player who sets the tone.