The Varsity Boys Soccer Team continued the 2nd half of the league season as they hosted the first place team, Floral Park Memorial HS. The Boys played in the front end of a doubleheader at Greis Park as they and the Girls’ team played teamed up to bring awareness to the topic of Mental Health and suicide prevention.

The first time the Owls and Knights took the field against each other, the Owls fell 0-6 in a game that saw a lack of inspiring play. The Lynbrook side took the loss as a wake-up call and managed to gain points in 5 straight league contests leading into the rematch with Floral Park. The Owls spent a lot of time talking about daring to be great and play with the intensity required to win the 50/50 chances and not let the Knights play their style of game.

From the opening whistle, the host Owls brought the intensity and sent an early message to the Floral Park side. The Knights would however strike first in the 10th minute of the game when Jeremy Lauletta found a seem in the Lynbrook defense and and slotted a ball to the far left post past Owls goalkeeper Jake Prince (10 saves) giving the Knights a 1-0 lead. The early deficit seemed to energize the Owls more as they mounted an immediate and deliberate response challenging and winning balls forcing the Knights into late challenges resulting in fouls being called. This began to frustrate the visiting squad and in the 19th minute, the Owls earned a throw in just over midfield. Devin Byrne threw in the ball down the sideline deep into the Knights end and Junior Gio Bello went after the loose ball where he turned towards goal and was taken down from behind in the box leading to a penalty shot. Junior Marco Pantano converted the opportunity past Knights goalkeeper Sean Hallock (2 saves) and leveled the game at 1. The score did not remain level for long. Floral Park’s Dylan Moore collected a loose ball in the 23rd minute and took a quick shot through traffic that beat Prince to give Floral Park the eventual game winner.

The game entered the second half and the teams continued to battle. Prince turned away several opportunities taken by the Knights and kept the game within reach for the Owls and as the game dragged on, the Owls began finding more chances of their own and had several opportunities to level the game but came up short. The game ended 2-1.

Although suffering their 3rd loss of the season, the Owls that losing to the first place team by a single goal as opposed to the 6 goal margin they had suffered earlier on the season meant a great deal. They are playing a better style of soccer. One that is giving them a chance of success each time they take the field.

Remaining on the Lynbrook Schedule is four games against teams they have yet to lose to. Next up is Valley Stream North and then Hewlett who have yet to register a league win between them. The Owls need to sweep those games and then record at least one draw in the final two against either Mineola or Lawrence. If they are able to take care of their own business, the Owls will earn a post season berth and prepare for the playoffs.

Keep up the hard work, dare to be great and go out and be heroes!!!

Pictures from the game can be found:
https://lhssoccer.jalbum.net/v.%20Floral%20Park%202023/