Boys Soccer Notebook: Mahopac, Milian Get Better of Somers in OT, 2-1

Whenever Somers and Mahopac get together on the soccer pitch, you know you’re going to get an A-effort from both clubs, but perhaps the best part of the game was unexpected skill levels of both teams in host Mahopac’s 2-1 overtime win over Somers 1 last Wednesday night.

Mahopac went on to defeat Brewster, 2-0, Saturday on goals from Luke Wilson and Sebastian Kufa (assists from Jared Milian and, Conor Butler) to improve to 2-2. Somers was also defeated by John Jay EF, 2-1.

You know effort isn’t going to be a question going in, as both clubs are bound to bring it when Somers and Mahopac hook up, but from a skill standpoint Section 1 soccer fans weren’t sure what to expect with so many new faces on both teams. There was no shortage of skill from either, and the results are bound to draw some fans to the pitch this fall. Mahopac showed up strong, both in the stands and on the field, junior Jared Milian in particular.

Milian scored both the game-winner with :44 left in OT and the game-tying goal midway through the second half, both coming off assist by the recently American University-commit  Joseph Iraola.The speedy forward used his legs and superb skill sets to set up Milian.

“It was a great win, one of the most exciting games I have ever been a part of,” Iraola said. “Our goalie, Mike Bernardi, played an excellent game. He saved us quite a few times, especially when he saved that penalty kick.”

Bernardi, a sophomore with some game, made a diving save to his right and stopped a PK effort from Somers hotshot Nick Fecci.

“Milian really stepped up, too,” Captain Iraola said. “We work very well together, which really showed. David Kalaj is the other captain, who did a great job winning the 50/50 balls last night and did a good job keeping their forwards in check. I was very impressed with the team and how hard we worked to fight our way back into the game and never give up.”

Indian goalie Bernardi had 12 saves and the equally athletic Ryan Nealon made 11 saves for Tuskers (1-3), who looked a heck of a lot better than they did in a season-opening thrashing against Class B heavyweight North Salem. Mahopac and Somers looked very evenly matched as the game progressed up and down the pitch.

“We had our ups and downs against Somers, but we were able to pull out a big win against a team that has given us trouble the last couple of years,” Mahopac Coach Chris Emery said. “I have a good group of kids this year who have some talent and play hard. Our goalie, Mike Bernardi, has been playing really well. He made the team as a 10th grader, won the starting job in practice, and has done a great job for us so far. Jared Milian scored the first two goals of his career in the Somers game. He is a very technical player who can both set up and score goals. David Kalaj, who did a great job for us last year, is the only returning starter we have on defense and he has done a great job of leading our back line from the center back position. Joey’s just a top notch kid, who has worked extremely hard to earn this opportunity at American. We’re real proud of him.”

After the North Salem/Somers game, many came away thinking it was going to be a really long year for the Tuskers and first-year Coach James Palumbo, who had to be happy to see a much better effort against Mahopac. Come to find out, state-ranked (No.3) Class B North Salem is pretty good, too. The Tusker coach, who played at Mahopac and Stony Brook and entertained with his ability, had to be happy with the improvements despite the tough loss.

“There were improvements made from the North Salem game, no doubt” the coach said. “We were unlucky to not come away with a better result. I felt my boys deserved it. I believe in my team and they are all believing in each other. With that attitude we can achieve our goals and doing something special this season.”

Fecci admitted the team has room for growth.

“We aren’t too happy with how we’ve started,” the captain said. “None of the four results we’ve had we were pleased with, not even the win against John Jay. We still haven’t figured it out yet and were conceding goals due to lack of focus and communication as well as not getting nearly enough offensive chances a game. However we are staying positive and it will turn around soon. Once we start clicking we will be a very dangerous team.”

LAKELAND (4-2) posted three bounce-back wins after suffering consecutive defeats. The reigning Section 1 Class A champions defeated Cornwall, 2-1, behind a pair of pops from senior captain Gonzalo Prado.

“That was a big win for us,” Lakeland boss Tim Hourahan said, “and probably the best 40 minutes of soccer that we have played so far this year in the second half. Cornwall was in the Class A section Finals last fall in Class A, so we wanted to get a look at one of the better teams from up there.”

It was Lakeland’s third consecutive 3-1 victory in a row at home.

“I think in our two losses we faced two opponents that had very strong defenses and allowed us to keep the majority of the possession, but made our life really difficult when we got into the final third (of the field),” Hourahan said. “We were getting chances but many of them outside of the box. We have stressed the importance of being creative in the final third and to get some hunger in the box.”

Lakeland will need to be playing its best soccer in the days ahead as the Hornets are about to hit a pretty tough stretch; the next four games are all against ranked opponents in NYS: MONDAY 9/24 home vs. Lourdes (4-1) #17 in Class B, SATURDAY 9/29 at Arlington (6-0) #6 in Class AA, WEDNESDAY 10/3 home vs. Beacon (6-0) #14 in Class A and MONDAY 10/8 home vs. Pearl River (6-1-1) #20 in Class A.

“Nine of our 16 games this year will be against ranked opponents in NYS,” Hourahan said. “We will be tested all year. Right now, we are more concerned with getting our system of play down, our communication up and our execution in the final third to a level where we are finishing at a higher rate of consistency.”

Soccer coaches seeking coverage for their programs should email results and comments, or drop us a line with the team web site, to raygallaghersports@gmail.com.

 

JPEG CAPTIONS: RAY GALLAGHER PHOTOS

Mahopac’s David Kalaj and Somers’ Nick Fecci do battle in Indians’ 2-1 OT win over Tuskers.

Somers goalie Ryan Nealon soars for save in 2-1 OT loss to Mahopac.

Somers’ Jacob Bluegrass and Mahopac’s Ryan Conlin get after it.

Somers Xavier XMan Lloyd is guarded by Mahopac’s Sebastian Kufa.

Tuskers Jacob Bluegrass eludes three Mahopac Indian defenders (Ray Arcieri, David Kalaj, Jesse Lichtman), who give chase in 2-1 win over Somers