On what can be described as a perfect night for a soccer match (see pictures), the Lynbrook Owls travelled to Bethpage HS to take on the Golden Eagles for the back end of a 2-game season series as part of their league schedule. The first time the two teams met, the Owls lost 0-1 behind a pair of mistakes that resulted in a breakaway opportunity and score for Bethpage. Fast forward to the second meeting and the Owls knew that they had to win if they were to keep their hopes of a post season berth in their control.

After losing to Floral Park 0-4 on Saturday, Lynbrook sat in 5th place in the standings table 3 points behind Wantagh HS as a result of their early season loss to the Warriors and Wantagh’s weekend win over Clarke HS. Sitting at 15 points, Wantagh has a game in hand over the Owls (12 pts) but has to play Floral Park as well as Bethpage and the Owls. Lynbrook has tonight’s match with Bethpage as well as a final season meeting with Wantagh which is lining up to be a win and get in scenario. With no room for error, the Varsity Owls did a lot of talking and reflecting on what it would take to earn the victory.

The Owls came out like the Fighting Owls they represented and from the opening whistle went right at the home Bethpage squad. The first half of the match had the Owls out shooting the Golden Eagles 8-3 and generate many opportunities to score. Unfortunately, none of the chances resulted in a goal and after with standing a late first half flurry of chances by Bethpage, the game went to the half in a scoreless tie. The second half began with much of the same from Lynbrook with shots generated including a couple of posts and a crossbar hit. The game got more physical as both teams were playing to earn the much desired 3 points and the win.

As the game entered the 50th minute, both teams began to increase their play as the game ping ponged back and forth across midfield. The scoreboard finally had a change in the 53rd minute and unfortunately a questionable decision by the referee in a scoreless match resulted in a penalty shot opportunity for the home Bethpage team. Lynbrook’s goal keeper Jake Prince (4 saves) was called for pushing a player in the back in an attempt to catch a ball in the box. The play was viewed as egregious enough to award a penalty shot which was converted by Bethpage’s Ivan Zanki. Now with the Owls down 0-1, they knew that anything less than a win, which was going to require 2 goals now, was going to severely hurt their post season aspirations. The questionable decision by the referee seemed to wake up the Owls even more and a renewed effort took shape.

Just 5 minutes later in the 58th minute, the Owls netted their first goal of the game when a hand ball was called against Bethpage about 50 yards from goal. Marco Pantano played short and quick to Jeronimo Valencia who took forwards and served it to the back post where Mike Werzinger went up and headed it past Bethpage goal keeper Max Heitner (4 saves) to level the game at 1. Werzinger had had a number of earlier opportunities that just missed and finally converted one to get the Owls right back into it. The final 20 minutes was all Owls as they continued to generate chances over and over. They outscored the home team 10-3 in the half and the final shot of the game proved to be the one that gave the Owls the victory.

As the game entered the final minutes, the Owls had a number of chances deep in Bethpage’s end that all resulted in missed chances while Marco Pantano was dragged to the ground not one, not two but three times in the box with no call. It was Pantano that would have the last word as a great ball sent into the box by Fabian Safsten Suarez with less than 2min remaining was headed by Pantano and ricocheted down into the area where a crashing Garrett Reid found it and one timed it into the back of the net. It proved to be the game winner as the Owls enjoyed the bus ride home with the 2-1 victory. Reid was named Man of the Match!!

The win gave the Owls a much needed 3 points in the standings and pulls them even with Wantagh who lost to Floral Park 6-0 today as well. It also pulls the Owls within 1 point of Bethpage who currently sits in the third spot in the playoffs. Bethpage still has to play Wantagh (10/14) and Valley Stream North (10/16). Wantagh has to play Bethpage as well as the Owls. Both teams have a game in hand over the Owls who have just one game remaining against Wantagh. If Wantagh and Bethpage were to tie and lose both of their final games which includes as Lynbrook win over Wantagh, the Owls would secure the 3rd playoff spot in the conference. If loses to both Lynbrook and Bethpage, they will be eliminated from post season play. If Wantagh and Bethpage play to a draw and lose their remaining games to Lynbrook and VS North respectively, Lynbrook advances out of the group in 3rd and Bethpage will advance out of the group as the 4th teams; Wantagh goes home.

There is a lot yet to happen and the Owls know all they can do and control is winning on 10/16 when they host Wantagh at 7PM at North Middle School. The game will be preceded by a ceremony to recognize our 8 graduating seniors. Senior ceremony will be at the conclusion of the Girl’s Varsity Senior Game which starts at 5PM.

Pictures from the Bethpage Game can be found here: https://lhssoccer.jalbum.net/at%20Bethpage/