PHS boys soccer lose a tough one
Nov. 4—MANLIUS — The Plattsburgh High boys soccer team battled hard, but fell to a skilled Westhill side 2-0 in a Class A state regional final Saturday evening.
The Hornets fell behind early when Westhill, a Syracuse area power from Section III, scored in the third minute of the game when they cashed in an opportunity off a throw-in.
"We got caught kind of flat-footed early, and we couldn't clear it out, but credit to them, they're a good team," Plattsburgh coach Chris LaRose said.
Plattsburgh, the Section VII champion, settled down and fought back, keeping the game even for much of the rest of the first half.
"I think that early goal kind of woke us up and we were able to control play better," LaRose said.
Hornet goalkeeper Nick Clookey made a great save in the 15th minute to keep his team in the hunt.
Plattsburgh nearly equalized a few minutes later when Andrew Bula and Joel Avos both had chances with Warriors goalkeeper Charlie DeMore out of position, but Bula's shot was blocked and Avos rifled one high.
A few moments after that, Nate Lambert worked his way down the right side into the area and pinged one off the near side post. Nate Baker had a chance on the rebound, but it went wide.
"If we could have put that one in it would have been a totally different game," LaRose said, noting that Westhill has only given up three goals this entire season.
"They are pretty stingy on defense and don't give up a lot of quality chances."
Westhill scored what proved to be the insurance goal with just under five minutes remaining in the first half. After a Mike Madigan throw-in, Hasan Athhelblah punched in a loose ball from the six after the Hornets could not clear the ball after a scramble in front of Clookey.
Plattsburgh came out in the second half determined, and early on, Baker had a chance, but his hard shot from 12 yards out was snagged by DeMore.
About a minute later, Clookey was tested again, but made a great save and Westhill fired the rebound high.
Clookey made one more great save late in the match when he charged out and put up a barrier on a Westhill breakaway. He banged his shin on the play and had to come out for the final two minutes of action.
LaRose had praise for his senior goalkeeper after the game.
"He (Clookey) really stepped up and played great," LaRose said.
Overall, LaRose said his team had a fantastic year and they will build on this season's success for the future.
"I told the team after the game that they are a unique group; we won two sectional titles in two different classes. Class B last year and Class A this year. That is something to be proud of, especially for our seniors."
—
Westhill 2, Plattsburgh 0
WHS;2;0;-;2
PHS;0;0;-;0
1st Half- 1. WHS, Cowan (Madigan), 3:02. 2. WHS, Altheblah, 35:01
Shots- WHS, 8-4
Saves- Clookey, PHS, 6. Demore, WHS, 4
E-mail: jlotemplio@pressrepublican.com
Twitter: @jlotemplio
