Boys soccer: Scala, Barnes help Spackenkill top Rondout for first section title since 2015

GOSHEN - The free kick deflected off the back of a defender and caromed a few yards to the right, directly to Vincenzo Scala.

"Finally!" Spackenkill goalie Samar Sahawneh exclaimed, referring to the one-goal losses that eliminated his soccer team in the previous two postseasons. "After all the bad breaks we've gotten in the playoffs, we were bound to get some good luck."

But this, literally, was a favorable bounce.

With the defense scrambling and the ball finding Scala in an advantageous position, the senior sent a left-footed roller into the right corner that triggered an uproarious celebration.

There still were 18 minutes remaining, but the Spartans and their fans were delighted to finally have broken through and ― finally! ― have fortune smile at them.

"It was a relief," teammate Davis Barnes said. "Him finishing that and getting us a lead put us at ease a little."

Barnes added an insurance goal 10 minutes later, that eventually proved to be the winner, as No. 1 Spackenkill went on to beat second-seeded Rondout Valley, 2-1, to capture its first Section 9 Class B championship since 2015.

Semifinal: Spackenkill survives close call, rallies to reach Section 9 final

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"We've had meetings and training sessions in the winter, and we'd get together at 5 a.m. for workouts," senior Dylan Updike said. "We've been focused on this and dedicated ourselves, and we finally made it happen."

The Spartans (11-3) will face Section 1's Keio Academy in a subregional on Wednesday, 4:15 p.m. at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School.

Selamu Gendron, Lucas Rankel, Chase Bosko and Daniel Kurdi — a reserve on the junior varsity last year, coach Brendan Cross marveled ― formed a back line that was dominant. "They didn't leave much for me to do," Sahawneh joked.

Spackenkill controlled possession through most of the second half but squandered some scoring chances, including two breakaways. It was "frustrating," players said, some recalling their missed opportunities in a 1-0 overtime loss to Marlboro in the 2021 final.

So, when that ricochet got to Scala, "I wasn't gonna waste a second to switch to my strong side," he said. "I shot that thing right away... I'm so proud, so glad to be part of this team."

Elias Curran scored on a fast break with 3:18 left for the Ganders (9-7-1).

“It’s been eight years, so we’ve got alumni who worked hard and didn't get to experience this,” Barnes said, “so this title is for us and them.”

Printed on the backs of the Spackenkill warmup jerseys is "BLANCO," in bolded font. That's in tribute to former coach Manny Blanco, who guided the Spartans to the 2019 final, but was diagnosed with terminal cancer weeks later.

"There's a strong affinity for him and his memory throughout the program," Cross said. "I'm forever grateful he because he took me onto his staff when I was a modified girls soccer assistant."

Updike was a student in Blanco's Spanish class and the two had developed a bond. He was an eighth-grader then, and served as the ball boy during that section final. Starring now for the team and helping them clear the hurdle, holds additional meaning. This was the baton being carried across the finish line.

"Before we take the field, we always say, 'Blanco on three!'" Updike said. "He's on the back of our shirts and in the backs of our minds. I hope we've made him proud."

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys soccer: Scala's goal helps Spackenkill win Section 9 title