The Varsity Boys Soccer Team gathered in between games this week to discuss their mindset after a slow start to the season that saw the team surrender 10 goals in their first 2 league games. The message was clear, Don’t Stop, It’s Not Over yet!! Seems the boys headed the call as they travelled to Valley Stream North HS today in the pinnacle third match of the league season. An Owls win was all that they could accept and they were ready for the challenge.

From the first whistle, Lynbrook (1-2-0) seemed to understand the need for the win as they faced another winless team in the Spartans (0-3-0). Multiple times in the first 20 minutes, the Owls rushed into the Valley Stream defensive end and generated an offensive chance with the feeling that they were close to finding the back of the net. That finally happened in the 28th minute when Junior Sam Moscheni (1G, 1A) collected a loose ball near midfield and found Sophomore Garrett Reid (1A) on a through ball behind the Spartans midfield. Reid, collected the pass and as he took it to goal had both Moscheni on the left side streaking forward as well as Patrick O’Doherty (1G) on his right. Reid completed the give and go with Moscheni who took the ball towards the front post and made a through pass to the back post where O’Doherty slammed it home for the Owls past the Valley Stream goalkeeper (6 saves). The Owls took the 1-goal lead into halftime knowing that the lone tally may not be enough.

Coach Berlin who made a couple of first half adjustments that seemed to generate more opportunities for the Lynbrook side rode those adjustments into the second half with the hopes of the road Owls tacking on a few more. It didn’t take long into the second half for the Owls to find success again as Garrett Reid and Sam Moscheni teamed up again resulting in Moscheni scoring the second goal of the game. After Sophomore Devin Byrne was fouled and taken down 30 yards from goal, the Owls set up for a direct kick. Byrne found Reid making an inside run and served the ball into him. Reid re-directed the ball from 18 yards out towards the front post where Sam Moscheni was crashing. Moscheni slotted the ball inside the near post for the score.

The second goal prove to be all the Owls would need as the host Spartans were unable to generate much offense as they were stifled offensively by the Lynbrook defense which included Marco Pantano, Walter Martinez, Lucas Addona, Mike Werzinger, Nick Mignella as well as O’Doherty and Byrne. Sophomore goalkeeper Jake Prince, in his second start of the season, had 3 saves in his first varsity shutout.

Next up for the Owls is crosstown rival Hewlett HS who the Lynbrook will host on Tuesday at Greis Park, 4:30PM.

Congrats on the victory Boys!!

Pictures from the game:
https://lhssoccer.jalbum.net/at%20VSN%202023/