Miller Place wins their summer league season opener against Mattituck. Photo by Bill Landon
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Miller Place wins their summer league season opener against Mattituck. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place wins their summer league season opener against Mattituck. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place wins their summer league season opener against Mattituck. Photo by Bill Landon
Miller Place wins their summer league season opener against Mattituck. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
Twelve teams comprise the Town of Brookhaven boys soccer summer league in the small school varsity division which kicked off its season Monday, July 1. There will be nine games through July 29.
The Panthers of Miller Place faced Mattituck at Diamond in The Pines Park in Coram where the Tuckers struggled to gain traction and trailed 2-0 at the halftime break. Miller Place put the game out of reach by rattling off five more unanswered goals in the second half to win the game 7-0.
Miller Place retook the field when the Panthers faced crosstown rival Mount Sinai July 3 at The Wedge in Mount Sinai, but the result was not available by press time.
Port Jeff sophomore Tomas Qepuri clears the ball upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior co-captain Michael Lipskiy maneuvers midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior co-captain Michael Lipskiy pushes off a defender. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Kyle Erickson clears the ball downfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Sviatoslav Zalizniak heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Jack Krause crosses the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Sviatoslav Zalizniak settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff freshman Sam Matvya heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
The Port Jefferson Royals had their hands full when Mattituck (8-1-2) paid a visit in a League IX matchup Friday afternoon, Oct. 6, when the Tuckers took command of the game early and never looked back. Holding the Royals scoreless, Mattituck’s potent offense would spread the wealth peppering the scoreboard with a 6-0 shutout victory. Royals’ starter freshman goalie Sam Matvya made seven saves.
The Royals (now 0-10 in league) have four games remaining in the regular season in search of that elusive first win.
Comsewogue senior Matthew Duran clears the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Jake Sokolowski settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore Sean Griffin redirects the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Matthew Duran maneuvers midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Aidan Bayer heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Dale Allison heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Aidan Bayer takes flight. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Jake Sokolowski heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue goalie Ryan Worhle with a save. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Julian Dicecco settles the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue junior Brady Mueller pushes upfield. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Dylan Raspanti heads the ball for the go-ahead goal. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue scores. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue sophomore Sean Griffin heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Aidan Bayer redirects. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue senior Julian Dicecco heads the ball. Photo by Bill Landon
Comsewogue wins! Photo by Bill Landon
The East Hampton Bonackers paid a visit to Comsewogue High School Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 3, with a score to settle having lost, 2-0, to the Warriors in early September. After a goalless first half, it was Comsewogue’s Dylan Raspanti’s header off a corner kick that broke the ice for a 1-0 lead after 25 minutes of second half play.
East Hampton seemed to have the better offensive press, clearly winning the time of possession in the final minutes of the game and testing Comsewogue goalie Ryan Worhle. The junior keeper, however, was able to stave off East Hampton’s late game surge to hold on for the 1-0 victory in the League VI matchup. Worhle had six saves in goal.
With the win, Comsewogue improves to 5-3-0 in league play with four games remaining before postseason play begins.
Tommy Pace skies for the save. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dan DeMarco and Luke Hunsucker (20). Photo by Steven Zaitz
Richie Bender (left) and Matt Ferrero. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Matt Ferrero on the heade. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Ricky Corbett heads it while riding on Gavin Reis. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Jake Pagat. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Aidan Kolbe (14) fights for position with James Savino. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Dylan McGraw leaps over Patrick Cuff
In a bitterly fought match that went scoreless for 100 minutes of regulation and overtime, the Smithtown West Bulls beat the Northport Tigers, 1-0, in the Suffolk County boys soccer semifinal on Monday. The game was decided by penalty kicks — the last of which coming from a surprising source.
In a game that saw five yellow cards and countless hard tackles and collisions, West goalkeeper Landon Schneider came out of his net, where he played brilliantly the entire match, to score the game-winning penalty kick. After five successful penalty kicks by both teams, Northport missed on its sixth attempt.
Having been replaced in goal for the penalty kicks by backup Brendan Madden, Schneider stepped in for the sixth and game-winning kick and calmly drilled it into the left side of the net.
Schneider and Northport goalkeeper Tommy Pace both made a number of acrobatic saves, but none was better than Schneider’s save of Richie Bender’s point-blank blast in the 95th minute that would have been a sudden-death victory for Northport.
Smithtown West (12-4-1) will now battle Connetquot (14-2-3) for the Suffolk AA Championship on Thursday Night at Comsewogue High School. Northport finished 12-6-1 on the year.
Coaches often say a team must “play up” to raise its game. That is just what the Mustangs of Mount Sinai did Monday, Aug. 29, visiting the powerhouse of League II, the Ward Melville Patriots, to open their 2022 season.
Ward Melville dominated the time of possession in the first half, scoring four unanswered goals against their League IV visitors. The Patriots added to their lead in the second half, tacking on two more for a 6-0 shutout.
The Patriots shared the wealth as Wilman Castellon, Aiden Burgueno and Owen Haviland each found the net, and teammates Ryan Flockhart, Ron Palillo and Dylan Fastenberg each scored a goal apiece.
Both teams will be back in action on Wednesday, Aug. 31, as the Mustangs go on the road again to face another non-league opponent, the Kings Park Kingsmen. The Patriots will also have their hands full in a road game against a perennially talented Brentwood team. Gametime is 4 p.m.
Jack Hennessy takes control for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
It was a game that began in brilliant sunshine turned to a driving rain. When the rain stopped, the wind picked up before darkness ended the contest which left Port Jefferson in a 2-2 tie with Greenport Oct. 18.
Greenport struck first when Ricky Campos scored but Port Jeff’s Daniel Owen evened the score late in the first half. Jonah Plaster was the spark in the second half when he scored the Royals go-ahead goal at the 18-minute mark for a 2-1 lead. Declan Crowley made it a new game when he scored six minutes later.
As daylight grew short the game went to a 10-minute overtime period without a decision for a 2-2 final in the league VII matchup. Port Jeff junior Jonathan Bosewell had five saves in net.
The Royals conclude their 2021 campaign Oct. 20 with a home game against Smithtown Christian. Game time is four o’clock.
— All photos by Bill Landon
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Port Jeff sophomore Cooper Reale maneuvers mid-field in a home game against Greenport. Credit: Bill Landon
Port Jeff sophomore Daniel Kubek heads the ball in a home game against Greenport. Credit: Bill Landon
Daniel Owens settles the ball for the Royals at home against Greenport. Bill Landon
Port Jeff senior Hugo Onghai battles for possession in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Bill Landon photo
Port Jeff senior Jack Hennessy with a clearing shot for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
Jack Hennessy takes control for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff junior Jonah Pflaster with a clearing shot for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff junior Jonah Pflaster scores for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
Port Jeff junior Jonathan Bosewell with a save for the Royals in a home game against Greenport Oct 18. Photo by Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Justin Depaoli sets up for a shot on goal for the Wildcats in a non-league game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
The Wildcats just keep on winning, which is why they sit atop the league VI leaderboard at 11-1-0 fresh off their non-league 1-0 victory against Jericho, Oct. 11.
Shoreham-Wading River’s only loss this season was at the hands of Wyandanch two weeks ago. It was Justin Depaoli’s foot that made the difference when the senior midfielder stretched the net in the 2nd half on a solo shot that held up as time expired. Senior goal keep William Devall had six saves on the day for the Wildcats.
Shoreham-Wading River retakes the field with a road game against Mount Sinai Oct. 14 at 4:30 before hosting Elwood John Glenn in their regular season finale Oct. 18. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
— Photos by Bill Landon
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Shoreham-Wading River sophomore midfielder Alex Makarewicz passes for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River midfielder Benjamin Panasci maneuvers mid-field for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River midfielder Benjamin Panasci settles the ball for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River midfielder Benjamin Panasci clears the ball for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Justin Depaoli heads the ball at net for the Wildcats in a non-league game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior Justin Depaoli sets up for a shot on goal for the Wildcats in a non-league game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River striker Nicholas Nowack pushes up the sideline for the Wildcats in a non-league home game against Jericho. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River striker Ryan Menno maneuvers midfield for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River striker Ryan Menno settles the ball for the Wildcats in a non-league home game against Jericho. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River striker Ryan Menno battles for possession for the Wildcats in a non-league home game against Jericho. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore Tanner Cummings with a header in a non-league home game against Jericho. Bill Landon photo
Shoreham-Wading River sophomore fullback Thomas Daggett heads the ball for the Wildcats in a non-league home game Oct 11. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Timothy McQueeney maneuvers mid-field for the Wildcats in a non-league matchup against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Timothy McQueeney heads the ball off a corner kick for the Wildcats in a non-league home game against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Timothy McQueeney (R) battles at the net for the Wildcats in a non-league matchup against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Timothy McQueeney heads the ball off a corner kick for the Wildcats in a non-league home game against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Timothy McQueeney pushes towards the net for the Wildcats in a non-league matchup against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
Shoreham-Wading River senior goalie William Devall with a clearing kick for the Wildcats in a non-league matchup against Jericho. Credit: Bill Landon
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys’ soccer program, both varsity and JV, put on the inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” game — a fundraising event to honor of two former players whose mothers are battling breast cancer.
The Oct. 12 event was the brainchild of seniors Dan Dein, Matthew Sparhuber, Josh Carroll and Ryan Carnaxide, according to Comsewogue boy’s booster club member Kathy Dein.
“These boys have known both moms all through growing up and decided to hold a Kicks for Cancer fundraiser to benefit the ‘Triple Negative Breast Cancer Foundation’ in their honor,” said Dein, who added that both the JV & Varsity have raised over $1,100 for the cause and still going.
The team all wore pink jerseys adorned the field with posters to promote the event.
“I’m tremendously proud that our boys realize that it’s more than just a game it’s bringing the community together and this is their way to give back,” Dein said.
With the game under way the Warriors evened the score late in the game when Ryan Harding to tie the game at 1-1. Despite two overtime periods both teams drew the tie keeping the Warriors atop the league IV leaderboard at 10-1-1.
— All photos by Bill Landon
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From left seniors Daniel Dein, Ryan Carnaxide, Matthew Sparhuber, Joshua Carroll & Caiden Hardy in the inaugural Kicks for Cancer fundraiser Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
Comsewogue soccer mom Melanie Barreiro attends the Inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
The Comsewogue boys soccer program hosted its inaugural “Kicks for Cancer” fundraiser at home against Deer Park Oct 12. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Zach Ward cuts inside for the Patriots in a League I matchup at home April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville co-captain Zach Ward with a crossing pass for the Patriots in a League I matchup at home April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Co-captain Zach Ward rises above the rest for the Patriots in a League I matchup at home against Pat-Med. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Terry Cummings pushes up-field in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville forward Sean LaPeters out flanks a Pat-Med defender in a home game April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville forward Sean LaPeters tries to get a shot off in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville junior Sean LaPeters pushes up-field in a League I matchup against Pat-Med April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Sophomore midfielder Kieran Donnelly pushes past a Pat-Med defender in a League I matchup at home April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville co-captain Jason Flynn heads the ball in a League I matchup at home against Pat-Med. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior midfielder Jack Randazzo settles the ball for the Patriots in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville’s goalie Jack Jesperson, left, protects the net at home against Pat-Med April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Christopher Fumal settles the ball for the Patriots in a League I matchup against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Andrew Cerqueira’s shot on goal at home April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
Senior midfielder Andrew Cerqueira staves off a Pat-Med defender at home April 3. Photo by Bill Landon
The Patriots celebrate Aidan Long’s goal in a home game April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Aidan Long scores in a League I matchup against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Aidan Long scores against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Aidan Long shoots against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Aidan Long turns up-field in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Aidan Long looks to cross in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville co-captain Aidan Long fights to head the ball in a home game against Pat-Med April 3. Bill Landon photo
Scoreless after 40 minutes of play, Ward Melville senior co-captain Aidan Long broke the ice in the opening minute of the second half ripping a shot that found the left side of the net to put the Patriots boys soccer out front in a League I matchup against visiting Pat-Med April 3.
Pat-Med answered midway through the second half to even the score which stood until time expired for the 1-1 draw. Ward Melville goalie Jack Jesperson had 5 saves at net.
The Patriots didn’t need a win to move up a position in the League I standings courtesy of Brentwood’s defeat of Walt Whitman and Commack’s unblemished record with a win over Longwood. Ward Melville at 5-3-1 moves up to third place with two games remaining before post season play begins.
Andrew Cerquira, left, plays midfield for the Patriots boys soccer team. Photo by John Dielman
This season Patriots soccer player Ben Perez, No. 26, played with an injury. Photo by John Dielman
The season may be over for the Patriots boys varsity soccer team, but they have a lot to be proud of this fall.
On Oct. 29 Ward Melville, the No. 15 seed, made it to the first round of the playoffs where the Patriots took on Commack, the No. 2 seed. This year marked the second year in a row that the boys soccer team made it to the playoffs. The Patriots lost the game, 3-1, against the eventual losing finalists. Ward Melville ended the season in third place in League I at 6-4-2 and 6-7-2 overall.
Despite the Suffolk AA playoff elimination, the team had some high points this season.
Senior Christian Bell, a co-captain who played defense, said a highlight of the year was when the Patriots were on the road playing against Patchogue-Medford on their rival’s senior night. Ward Melville scored a winning goal to make it 2-1 with under two minutes remaining. Another memorable event for Bell was during the playoff game against Commack when they tied 1-1. He listed senior midfielder Sean McNight and sophomore forward Sean LaPeters as standout players.
Sean McNight, No. 8, became co-captain mid-season for the Ward Melville Patriots. Photo by John Dielman
“McNight did all the right things and was one of the hardest working players on the field,” Bell said. “Sean LaPeters is two years younger so he’s a sophomore, being not as big and as old as the other guys, but he really stepped up big this year for us.”
Giancarlo Serratore, another of the team’s co-captains who was a wide midfielder, also named Sean McNight as one of the top players. Midseason, McNight joined his fellow seniors as one of the team captains.
“He was really consistent at every
game,” Serratore said. “He went out there and played well.”
For Serratore, the highlight of the past soccer season was a win at home, 4-3, against William Floyd Oct. 16. He said the Patriots needed a couple of wins to get to the playoffs at that point, and they had lost to the school earlier in the season. He said the team enjoyed the win especially since their rivals had a big celebration after they beat the Patriots just weeks earlier.
Both Bell and Serratore said they admired Ben Perez for playing this season despite a hip injury. Serratore said the senior defense member showed a lot of courage for his teammates by playing through the pain.
Sean LaPeters, No. 27, has been one of the sophomores on varsity. Photo by John Dielman
Serratore said his team worked well together during the season full of ups and downs.
“I thought the team persevered well throughout the year so I’m proud of the boys,” he said.
Linda Ward, whose son Zack plays defensive, said she has been watching the games for the last two years, and the team’s defensive line, which includes her son, Perez, Bell and Jason Flynn, deserves a shout-out due to their calm temperaments and skills at tracking the ball and anticipating the play.
“They held the line and kept almost every game within one goal,” she said. “They played like a well-oiled machine.”
Both Bell and Serratore said they will miss playing with their team members when they graduate from Ward Melville in June after playing with them for years.
“It was such a great team, and I couldn’t ask for a better team,” Bell said.
