Depth in all Classes Offers Slew of Possibilities on Pitch

By Ray Gallagher, Examiner Sports Editor @Directrays

The depth of competition is indicative of the work put in by players and coaches throughout Section 1. This ain’t your momma’s section no more. There’s a slew of Section 1 teams in the market for a Section 1 title, according to Lakeland Coach Tim Hourahan, who has his finger on the pulse more so than most.

“I think there are about 25 teams in all classes that are right there and can beat any team on any day,” Hourahan said. “The depth in Section 1 soccer, and the teams that can go on to win, is remarkable! It’s so deep, it’s crazy! It’s not 2005 any more, that is for damn sure, where there were 10 teams vying for titles. There might be 8-10 teams in Class A alone that, should they get hot, can win the title.”

We had some big wins on the pitch last week but none bigger than OSSINING’s 2-1 win over reigning Class AAA Section 1 champion Arlington. The Pride (2-0-1), which live and die for their time on the pitch, were living large behind solo goals from Daniel Espinoza and Jason Chunchi, both coming off choice looks from Gabe Robinson (2A). The defense stood tall before Pride G David Zhuno (6 saves) as the Pride handed the Admirals (1-2) their second loss in three games.

“It’s a good win for the boys, they’ve been working very hard together,” Ossining Coach Joe Scamarone exclaimed! “There’s still a lot we have to work on, and we are getting better every day, and they’re putting 110% in every day. That’s all I could ask of them! It’s the beginning of the season, so we are taking it one day at a time.”

If anyone has had Arlington’s number of late, it’s Ossining, which has gone 6-4 against the Admirals since 2016. Fun Facts: Since they laid the new turf down at Ossining, the Pride are 48-8-6 at home.

In other Class AAA action, WHITE PLAINS housed Poughkeepsie behind Eric Garcia’s hat trick, Alex Napoli (1G, 1A), Charles Reid (1G, 1A), Andres Arce (2A) and Francis Fokue Nkoutche (1G). Edgar Garcia (6 saves) posted the shutout for the Tigers (1-1-1).

CLASS A

SOMERS is starting to show the Somers team most expect after taking three of the last four, including a 2-1 win over Sleepy Hollow (goals Connor Van Tassel (1A) and Harper Ritson) before knocking off previously undefeated PEEKSKILL, 1-0, behind a lone tally Randy Contreras and 13 saves from Sebastian Chao.

“Peekskill is the best team technically I’ve seen so far this year,” Somers Coach Brian Lanzetta said. “We executed a plan. Our fitness is up and the boys are playing like family. Noah Hechler, my center back, has been unreal.”

As has LAKELAND’s defense, which posted a fourth straight shutout in a 2-0 win over HEN HUD. Vinny Karaqi (1G, 1A) and Johnny Lage found the back of the net while Owen Becker set one up and G Oban Rader denied all four shots on goal. Karaqi (1G, 1A) and Lage (1G, 1A) were at it again in a 4-0 win over Gorton, as was Lucas Boyko (1G) and Brendan Friedel (1G). Becker dished another dime for the Hornets (4-1).

Give WALTER PANAS a ton of credit for forging a scoreless tie with NYS runner-up BYRAM HILLS last week. Bobcat G Gavin Nichols (3 saves) and Panther (1-2-1) keepers Kevin Erazo Jerez (3 saves) and Frank Medico (2 saves) were credited with shutouts. The Bobcats (3-0-1), ranked No.4 in NYS, responded in kind with a tidy 1-0 shutout perennial power Tappan Zee. Harry Boyd scored from multi-talented Seb Olego for the Bobcats, who have a tough task in today’s match with Eastchester.

PLEASANTVILLE put the pedal to the medal on winless PUTNAM VALLEY in a 10-0 win that saw a host of Panthers (1-1-1) fill the state sheet, including Erik Nunaj (3G 1A), Nate Searle (1G, 2A), and Eamonn O’Connell, Schuyler Brown, Garvin Kayizzi, Jonah Aghen and Aidan Kress, who each scored once against the rebuilding Tigers. Jack Chisolm and Kayizzy each scored once in the Panthers’ 4-2 loss to Irvington.

CLASS AA

Peekskill (4-1), ranked No.7 in NYS, bounced back nicely with four unanswered second-half goals in a 4-1 win over Edgemont when Randy Tapia (2G), Chris Chalco (1G, 1A), Umaru Conteh (1G) and Juan Ventura (1A) all found the scoresheet.

GREELEY handled Clarkstown North, 3-0 behind tallies from Jack Santilli, Isaac Carillo and Henry Holmquist. Jesse Kamen made three saves for the Quakers (2-1-1), who traveled to MAHOPAC Saturday and discovered the state-ranked (No.20) Wolf Pac are a physical bunch in 3-2 Mahopac win; preserved with 9:07 left after a point-blank save by steady Wolf Pac keeper Estaban Sanchez (11 saves). Mahopac (2-1) goals came off the boots of Oliver Filip (2G) and Victor Beltrami with a pair of assists from Kody Booth.

FOX LANE Coach Mike Tomassi admitted he was impressed with Mahopac in its 4-1 win over the Foxes (2-1).

“I would be surprised if Mahopac isn’t a Final 4 team in Class AA,” the coach said after Andrew Provenzano (1G, 1A), Filip (1G, 1A), Beltrami (1G, 1A), Hayden Bilchini (1G) and Booth (1A) distributed the Wolf Pac wealth. Sanchez (7 saves) was beaten only by Fox Kenny Mejia Lopez. “They are right there with Yorktown, Carmel, Peekskill and the rest of AA, but they play in a really tough league (I-A), which could prevent them from getting one of the top four seeds.”

This is as much fun as a Mahopac club has had in quite some time, a really long time, on the pitch.

“The boys have been playing well individually and as a team,” Wolf Pac Coach Chris Mulholland said. “They are motivated with a great mentality. We had a tough opening to the season with the loss to Somers, but they have recovered well and it has shown in the past two games.”

Gavin Morales scored Fox Lane’s only goal in a 1-0 win over Pelham, scoring from Fredy Contreras. Drew Bagley made eight saves for the shutout.

YORKTOWN (2-1-1) had a light week of action leading up to Saturday’s final round of the Husker Tournament where Fox Lane took a 3-1 lead into the half before holding on for a 3-2 title triumph. Yorktown dodged several bullets with just under 30:00 left to play and despite not scoring in the second half, Fox Lane held on for a comfortable win, a victory that could fuel the Foxes in an otherwise wide open Class AA.

“It was a great game for the Foxes. We came out fast and we were able to capitalize early,” Tomassi said. “We held strong and we were able to come out on top. Yorktown is a strong program and a great win for our program. We want to keep building and improving with each game. We are off to a 3-1 start and excited to continue improving over the next couple of weeks.”

Mejia Lopez (1A), Daniel Troski and a heady Fredy Contreras scored for the Foxes while Gavin Morales set up a pair or tallies. Drew Bagley and Eli Daglio combined for 12 saves in the win.

Yorktown did post a 5-2 win to advance to the finals over Arlington B, who could not solve the combination of Huskers RickyTiberii (2G, 1A) and Colin Worden (2G, 1A), who are going to pose some issues this season. Cameron Santos (1G) and Christian Beitler (1A) tacked on.

CARMEL drew a 1-1 tie with Greeley in its only game of the week. Drew Ford scored for the Rams (1-0-1) from Andy Kozlowicz’s free kick at the end of first half. G Alex Berardi made four saves, including a PK, but the Quakers tied it in the final five off a Ryder Goodman goal. Keeper Ben Falk (7 saves) allowed just one.

CLASS B

BRIARCLIFF let one slip away in a 2-2 tie with North Salem, which tied the game in the final two minutes off a header by Nicholas Naber, who responded to a pair of goals by Bears Luca Culotta and Ethan Anisman off a pair of assists from Nathaniel Rohde. Conall Torres made five saves for the Bears (1-0-2) who also tied Rye Neck, 2-2, after a goal and assist from Rohde. His brother, Sebastian, also scored from Nathaniel.

Fabio Arellano (2G) and Ian Silvero each tickled the twine in VALHALLA’s 3-0 win over Hamilton. Arthur Barrozo and Isaac Hernandez set up a goal while G Jacob Bricker made four saves to record the shutout for the Vikings (2-1-1).

Week 1 Super 7 Examiner-Area Banger

No.1 Byram Hills – 2023 NYS runner-ups hit a speed bump in scoreless tie with Panas but we still like ‘em best in Class A.

No.2 Ossining – Even if Arlington ends up having a down year, a win over the Admirals should get your attention, which AAA Pride have done often enough since 2016 (going 6-4).

No.3 Peekskill – Still being touted by area coaches as a technically sound team, but Somers had Red Devs’ number last week.

No.3A Somers – Beat Peekskill 1-0 and have been down and dirty on defense (1 goal in last 3) after letting up 9 goals in first three games. Will the real #SlimSomers please stand up.

No.5 Mahopac – This is the most competitive Indian/Wolf Pac team we’ve seen in quite some time (P.S. we’ll use the Indian reference any chance we get). Final 4 or bust!

No.5A Fox Lane – If a win on the road at Yorktown in a Husker tourney title tilt doesn’t get your attention then you ain’t paying any. Lost to ‘Pac head to head.

No.7 Lakeland – Hornets were only knocking on the Super 7 door until the win over Pearl River and 4 straight shutouts knocked it down.

HM Carmel – Class AA Rams tied Greeley 1-1 but got their doors blown off in 4-1 loss to state-ranked RCK, so they need to figure out their attack before taking on a hungry Mahopac outfit on 9/25. Rams could go from HM to unrated in a hurry should they not.

HM Briarcliff – Pair of ties to Rye Neck and North Salem is like kissing your sis! Win those games and stay ranked.

HM Yorktown – Whoa, the loss to Fox Lane #Shocker!

HM White Plains – Fox Lane, Greeley, Ossining upcoming; we’ll know more soon.

HM Panas – Scoring goals (2 in 4 games) has been an issue but the defense has been rugged and the Panthers have steadily improved the last few years.

HM Greeley – The tie with Carmel got us thinking but the 2-goal loss to Mahopac derailed that notion.

 

ANDY JACOBS/DAVID TABER/CHRIS SMAJLAJ PHOTOS