Boys soccer: Spackenkill edges Carle Place in penalty kicks to reach Class B state semis
There was no shame in admitting there was as much relief afterwards as there was exhilaration.
"It feels like we dodged a bullet," coach Brendan Cross said of his boys soccer team. "We stole one and snuck out of there."
The Spartans were outplayed on Friday, pressured relentlessly, and came within inches of elimination as their sterling season teetered at the edge of a precipice.
But Spackenkill overcame the disparities and disadvantages, showing resolve, and eventually edged Section 8's Carle Place, 1-1 (6-5), in penalty kicks to win the Class B regional final at Mitchel Athletic Complex.
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The Spartans (14-3) will compete next weekend for a state championship, first facing Canton or Mechanicville in a state semifinal Saturday, 3:45 p.m. at Goshen High School.
"The penalty kicks stressed everyone out, so at the end of the game, the team went nuts," Cross said. "We're excited to be moving on and we're looking forward to proving we deserve to be there."
Freshman Henry Stock scored the tie-breaking penalty kick, and Samar Sahawneh made the clinching save, dealing the Long Island champion its first loss and giving Spackenkill a shot to capture its first state title since 2007.
Dylan Updike, Davis Barnes, Dylan Breslow, Vincenzo Scala and Nate Stout each scored in penalty kicks, but the Frogs matched them, extending the round. Teammates suggested to Cross that Stock be chosen to attempt the go-ahead kick.
"He hadn't played a minute in the game," the coach said, "but we went with him and he came through. A lot of things went in our favor today."
The Frogs (15-1-1) dominated possession and created several scoring chances, but struggled to finish. Sahawneh "was great," Cross said, the keeper making 12 saves and intercepting several throw-ins and corner kicks. Defenders Chase Bosko, Selamu Gendron, Lucas Rankel, Daniel Kurdi and Jacob Rivera also "were outstanding."
Stout broke the stalemate with 18:24 left in regulation, gathering Breslow's free kick and finishing through a scrum in front of the goal. Stratos Mehalakes tied it three minutes later.
Our Lady of Lourdes last season also defeated Carle Place in this round en route to the state final. Spackenkill’s two-hour ride back to Poughkeepsie was "pretty quiet" as the players were busy researching their potential upcoming opponents.
"We know we didn't play our best game," Cross said, "but the guys were resilient, and that's big."
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys soccer: Spackenkill wins in penalty kicks to reach state semis
