Lansdowne Bhoys striker Mamadou Guirassy before the kickoff of the Bhoys' game against Manhattan Kickers. Lansdowne Bhoys Images

 

By Ralph "Onz" Chery |@onz_11

April 11th, 2018

 

Lansdowne Bhoys striker Mamadou Guirassy was nominated CSL Player of the Week for the first time in his career after scoring his first hat trick in the league and recording an assist in his side’s 8-1 victory over Manhattan Kickers on Saturday night.

“I am happy with that performance and I want to thank my teammates because I wouldn’t have been able to do that without them,” the NCAA Division I Golden Boot winner said on winning the accolade.

 

Lansdowne Bhoys striker Mamadou Guirassy standing next to the club's assistant coach Aiden Corr. Lansdowne Bhoys Images

 

Lansdowne went into the game versus the Kickers on a two-match winless and scoreless run as they previously lost to Cedar Stars Academy 3-0 in Week 13 and drew with Zum Schneider F.C 0-0 the previous round. Guirassy broke the Bhoys’ short and rare goal drought in the 13^th minute, whipping a shot from the top of the box in the net via Michael Holzer’s pass.

“We know what we are capable of and I had no doubt that we would be able to score goals once we get our chemistry back,” the 22-year-old said on netting Lansdowne’s opener.

Guirassy netted the second goal of the encounter two minutes before the half hour mark. The France native was left one-on-one with the opposing keeper after controlling Holzer’s intelligent through ball. Guirassy made no mistake from his 1-v-1 battle with Manhattan’s keeper as he swept past him before hitting the ball in the vacant net.

The New Jersey Institute of Technology’s all-time scoring leader completed his hat trick in the 41^st minute from another one-on-one situation with the opposing keeper. Daryl Kavanagh sent the big striker on goal that time with a through ball. Guirassy smoothly danced his way around the Kickers’ keeper again and pushed the ball in the net to put Lansdowne up by three.

The young forward didn’t want to stop scoring after three.

“In my mind I was already thinking about scoring a fourth,” Guirassy said. “As a striker, you always want to score and break records. I know that once I get my fitness back and a couple of practice sessions under my belt I will be able to maintain that level of play week in and week out.”

Two minutes after his hat trick, Guirassy directed Kavanagh to a goal by executing a delicate one-two with him.

 

Lansdowne Bhoys forward Mamadou Guirassy assisted the pictured Daryl Kavanagh's goal vesus Manhattan Kickers. 

 

The ex-Guinea U-20 player’s hat trick pushed him to seven goals in eight appearances for Lansdowne in all competitions.

Guirassy’s next game with the Irish club is against the reigning CSL champions NY Greek American, a team that defeated Lansdowne in penalties in the ENY Amateur Cup semifinal and in the ENY Fricker Cup final earlier this season and in the CSL semifinal last year 1-0.

When asked how he feels before testing his shots against one of the Bhoys’ toughest opponents, the 2018 MLS draftee said: “I think I am in a pretty good shape right now but I still have to work a lot more as the regular season is almost coming to an end.

“My goal is to be in my best form when comes playoff time.”

 

Honorable mention

Christopher Katona [Cedar Stars Academy MF]-- 2 goals, 3 assists vs NY Shamrock SC

 

CSL’s top scorer Christopher Katona put up yet another dazzling performance, netting a double and racking three assists versus NY Shamrocks.

Katona scored his first goal by steering Samuel Gehman’s low-cross in the net with his left foot. The Jersey native’s second goal was a penalty kick and for his assists: he hit a one-time pass to Matthew Nigro on top of the box, sent Walter Calderon on goal with a magnificent 30-yard pass and measured a pinpoint pass to Joaquin Escudero after making a run on a counter attack.

 

 

Past player of the weeks

Week 1: Lansdowne Bhoys striker Ovan Oakley-- 2 goals, 1 assist vs Central Park Rangers Whites 

 

Week 2: Cedar Stars Academy striker Paul Nittoli-- 2 goals vs NY Pancyprian Freedoms

 

Week 3: Central Park Rangers Whites midfielder Idy Watt-- 2 goals vs NY Athletic Club

 

Week 4: Manhattan Kickers striker Mahamadou "Remi" Diaby-- 2 goals, 1 assist vs NY Greek Americans

 

Week 5: NY Pancyprian Freedoms midfielder Adam Himeno-- 1 goal, 1 assist vs NY Greek American

 

Week 6: NY Greek Americans left back Joseph Ruesgen-- 2 assists and a clean sheet vs Zum Schneider F.C 03

 

Week 7: Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona-- 3 goals, 3 assists vs Doxa SC

 

Week 8: Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona-- 2 goals, 2 assists vs Zum Schneider F.C

 

Week 9: Cedar Stars Academy attacking midfielder Christopher Katona-- 6 goals vs Manhattan Kickers

 

Week 10: Central Park Rangers Whites midfielder James Greco-- 2 goals vs Doxa SC

 

Midwinter make-up round: NY Greek American midfielder Colin Murphy-- 2 goals vs  NY Athletic Club

 

Week 11: NY Shamrock SC striker James Whyte-- 3 goals vs Zum Schneider FC

 

Week 12: NY Pancyprian Freedoms midfielder Daniel Bedoya-- game-winning goal vs NY Shamrock SC

 

Week 13: NY Pancyprian Freedoms midfielder Adam Himeno-- 3 goals vs NY Greek American