The Lynbrook Owls have had an enigma of a season thus far as they have been their own worst enemy. With half of the league season behind them, the Owls (2-4) sit in 5th place one spot out of a playoff berth. As they played host to Valley Stream North at North MS, the Owls were desperate to put an end to the losing and get back on the right side of the scoreboard. This was a VSN team who was 0-6 coming into the game and would be looking to derail the Owls chances of adding games to their season. The Lynbrook side needed to complete the season sweep of the Spartans if their future was to remain in their hands.

The game started the Owls in control as they took the ball into the VSN end time and time again only to fall short of converting the first goal of the game. Once again, as has been the case in all 4 of the Owls loses this season, the visiting Spartans struck first when Nico Pagan collected a lose ball in the 21st minute, took the ball on the dribble and let lose a shot that caught Owls net minder Jake Price (1 save) off his line and the ball dipped into the back of the net to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead. The Owls responded 3 minutes later. Nick Mignella drew a foul when he was clipped from behind resulting in a direct kick for the Lynbrook. Eddie Stradowski served the ball into the box from the 40 yard line where it was played by a VSN defender up into the air. Lynbrook’s Jacob Wolcoff went up for the challenge and was able to head the ball down to Marco Pantano who finished the ball past VSN keeper LJ Foder (12 saves) to tie the game at 1.

The game went to half knotted at one with the Owls hoping to find some magic in the second half to take the lead. The first half saw the Owls leading in all offensive categories except goals and that was something that needed to be adjusted if the Owls were to earn the much needed three points. The second half started with the Owls bringing back their starting line-up. Lynbrook continued to control play as they kept pushing for the go ahead goal. VSN’s Pagan struck again for the Spartans in the 54 minute when he beat the Owls defense for the second time and slotted a ball into the left netting past Prince to give them a 2-1 lead. Lynbrook, who had been patient and aggressive all game answered back 10 minutes later. After being fouled just outside of 20 yards, Lynbrook’s Jeronimo Valencia served a beautiful ball into the back of the opponents box where Jose Yapan Gonzalez one-time headed it into the net to once again bring the game to a tie, 2-2.

The game seemed to get a bit unruly at that point as multiple yellow and a red card were issued to various players. Lynbrook dug down and played with the desperation and desire they needed in order to earn the full 3 points; one point was not going to be good enough. The hard work finally paid dividends with about a minute left when Marco Pantano took a ball to goal and was taken down from behind with 1:20 left in the game. Yapan Gonzalez and Eddie Stradowski stood over the ball for the ensuing free kick from 22 yards out. Yapan Gonzalez served the ball which was defended well by the Spartans; initially. Lynbrook’s Noah Chisena stepped up to the clearing ball and one-timed it to Devin Byrne who made a nice inside touch on the ball. He found Steven Najera on a slot pass to the right who fired the game winner past the VSN goal keeper with 20.8 seconds remaining in the game.

With the win, the Owls move back into a tie for the 4th and final playoff spot in the conference with Wantagh HS who they will play in the final game of the season. Lynbrook will now turn their attention to a Wednesday Night match-up with Mineola HS who they lost to earlier in the season 2-0 in a game that was well contested.

The Lynbrook Owls are in a position this season where they have no room to make the type of mistakes they made in the first half. They must win 3 of the final 5 league matches at very worst to qualify for the post season. Today, although feeling the desperation, the Owls did not play with that feeling but rather a confidence and work ethic worthy of the victory. They also acknowledge the fan base today. In an electrifying match, the Owls secured the thrilling last minute victory in large part to the unwavering support from the incredible parent and alumni. The energy and enthusiasm were palpable throughout the game and there is not enough thanks for cheering the boys onto victory.

Next Match: Wednesday 9/25 @ Mineola 7pm, Hampton Field,
Pictures from the game: https://lhssoccer.jalbum.net/v.%20VSN/