Boys’ Soccer Notebook: Lakeland, Mahopac, Somers All Faring Well on Pitch; Prado Delivering for Lakeland, Twists Natural Hat Trick in win Over PR

After shaky starts from each of them, Lakeland, Mahopac and Somers are all in the thick of their respective league title chases.

In LAKELAND’s 2-nill win over Beacon last Wednesday, the host Hornets (7-3) got a first-half goal from Gonzalo Prando and a second-half marker from Timmy O’Driscoll, as the versatile senior captains paved the way to a victory over the state-ranked (No.12) and previously undefeated Bulldogs, who were fresh off an upset of Class AA state-ranked (No.3) Arlington.

The defending Section 1 Class A champion Hornets survived several close scares, as the Bulldogs could not cash in on a couple of point-blank looks, which sailed high or wide of the net. Lakeland keeper Reggis Mora made five saves to post the shutout for the Hornets, who have not lost to a Class A opponent since the 2010 sectional semis (going 13-0-2 since losing to Somers).

The Hornets followed up the impressive Beacon win with another solid outing against state-ranked Pearl River, defeating the visiting Pirates, 3-0, on Monday behind the natural hat trick from senior middie Prando.

Against Beacon, Hornet defenders Andrew Mitang, Alen “Epic” Pepic, Jon Pinto and rookie Gino Cassese pressured Beacon’s top strikers, limiting open looks.

Hornet Coach Tim Hourahan has developed a culture that not only thrives on winning but expects to do so, especially at home.

“That’s why I was a little disappointed when I read in a few spots about it being an upset win over Beacon,” Hourahan said. “We could be playing Chelsea and I think we can grind one out at home. We love playing at home and we never feel it’s an upset when we win there. It’s what we’re supposed to do.”

And it’s exactly what they did, led by their senior captains: Patryk Seweryn, one of four captains, was at the top of his game, too, holding the ball up for his teammates and developing runs for O’Driscoll (1A) and Prando, who has been dirty and oftentimes put the team on his back the past seven games (6-1 over that span). Prando has scored in six straight games and now has 12 goals three assists this year.

Sweeper (D) Andrew Mitgang, a co-captain, was instrumental in pinning down Lakeland’s assignments and is quickly developing into one of the section’s finest defenders after playing a more offensive-minded game last year.

“Beacon came in to our game scoring 44 goals in their first nine games so to shut them out was no small task,” Hourahan said.

Lakeland is doing its part to promote Breast Cancer Awareness month.  On Monday, October 15th, the Hornets will be playing Arlington at LHS at 5:30pm.  The team will be wearing PINK jerseys to promote this event.  Pink T-shirts supporting the “Hunt Down Cancer” theme will be available for purchase that evening for $15.  All proceeds will be donated to the high school Relay for Life Organization.

MAHOPAC

Mahopac’s 2-1 win over rival Carmel last Wednesday featured a lot of senior striker Joseph Iraola, who scored twice, including the winning goal on a penalty kick in the 59th minute. Austin Mayhew scored for the Rams, but Iraola, who scored for the 10^th time this season, is like having a midfielder at the top of your set. The kid rides opposing defenders better than most as they try to clear, forcing turnovers and transitional runs while turning on the dime for through balls. The American-bound captain will keep the Indians in more games than not, and the mantra at Mahopac (5-2) has gone from “Who, us?” to “Why not us!” in less than two weeks.

Imperative to their success, though, will be a killer instinct, which the Indians have lacked at the start of games. Carmel was no different.

“You can always throw the records out the window when these two teams play because of the rivalry,” Mahopac Coach Chris Emery said. “We were very fortunate to get the victory today because we did not play our best soccer. We came out very flat again and gave up a goal in the third minute of the game.”

Mahopac was able to answer back at the 20 minute mark when Justin Fleischer sent a nice through ball to Iraola who tied the game at 1-1 with his xth goal of the year. Mahopac took the lead in the 48th minute when Iraola was taken down in the box and he then converted the penalty kick.

“After that we had to play a lot of defense to preserve the victory,” Emery said. “We did not possess the ball well and we did not test their keeper (Ederson Medina) either. We were limited to seven shots for the game and he only had to make three saves.”

 

Carmel had 10 shots and goalie Mike Bernardi made six saves for the Indians as the sophomore continues to play well beyond his years.

“We were very fortunate that Carmel wasn’t able to finish a lot of their opportunities today,” Emery said. “We finished two of ours and that was the difference in the game. Joseph has really come on for us after a slow start, but we need other players to step up and play up to their potential if we want to become a serious contender for the sectional title. We need to stay focused and keep working hard to improve each time we take the field.”

SOMERS

Nick Fecci scored the winning goal on a penalty kick in the Tuskers’ 1-0 win over RCK, as Somers (5-3-1) picked up additional steam this week, most of it stemming from a 2-1 win over a North Salem team that schooled Somers back on opening day in a 5-1 Tigers blowout. This time, Fecci and Jacob Blueglass each scored for the Tuskers and the Somers defense, spearheaded at the X by Xavier Lloyd, would have pitched a shutout of state-ranked North Salem if not for an “own goal”.

“We were winning 2-0 and they got an own goal with seven minutes left,” Somers Coach James Palumbo said. “I was pretty upset about letting that goal up. It was difficult to take that loss to them in beginning of season. Honestly, it was just a poor game for us. We played bad and very unorganized soccer. The team has grown since that game and we’re focused for every game.

“The team is really starting to buy in defensively with (D) Xavier Lloyd leading from the back,” he added of the converted middie. “Offensively, it is coming together though, and we are taking one game at a time. Hopefully we achieve this week’s goal of going 3-0.”

The Tuskers had to settle for 2-0-1 after goalie Ryan Nealon made eight saves in a scoreless tie with John Jay.

YORKTOWN

The Huskers are now 5-4 and were opening some eyes before a 3-0 loss to Kennedy (#stunner), who got goals from Kevin Brennan, Ryan Trainor and Eric Lin.

HEN HUD

Steven Pinski scored three goals in a 4-0 win over Haldane. The HEN HUD girls are kicking up a storm at 9-1. Bailey Stewart had two goals and both Lindsay Luposello and Jackie Riefenhauser had a goal as well in a 4-0 win over Peekskill.

Soccer coaches are encouraged to hit up Ray Gallagher at raygallaghersports@gmail.com with results, comments and stat sheets in an effort to ensure your program and the student athletes within it are recognized for their achievements.