For fans of Sleepy Hollow boys varsity soccer, it was an exciting, not to say nail-biting, season. One of its highlights was the Horsemen’s take-down of the very tough Albertus Magnus team.
The 3-to-2 loss on their own home field was A.M.’s first defeat in a league game in several seasons. The timing just seemed right for the Horsemen. They were smarting from a surprise, 5-zip thrashing at the hands of Irvington the day before. And they weren’t about to let that happen again.
Against Albertus Magnus, Sleepy Hollow’s defense was rock-solid, as usual, while the mid-fielders and forwards ran like a fine Swiss watch, bringing the ball up the field time after time, with deft dribbling and pinpoint passing that proved too much for the usually-dominant Magnus.
Horseman forward, Jonathan Segarra, drew first blood with a goal from the right side. Magnus came back, tying up the score with a quick goal just as the second half started. But the Horsemen were unfazed, and continued their systematic attack.
When a Magnus defenseman fouled Horseman Manuel Chimbo in the box, it set up a penalty kick by Jason Ruivo that put the Horsemen ahead 2-1. Forward Carlos Gomez scored again for Sleepy Hollow, giving the Horsemen a comfortable 3-1 lead. Albertus Magnus put one in the net in the last minute of the game, but it was too little, too late.
The Horsemen went on to beat Saunders High School, but lost their first sectional game, against Tappan Zee.
Both sides played tough, but T.Z. won in a heartbreaker with a penalty kick in overtime.
The Horsemen finished the season with 9 wins, 5 losses and 3 ties, and managed to scoop in the most awards in their league.
Goalie Michael Leeper and forward Michael Praino were named All-Section players, while sweeper Eric Waldman and mid-fielder Chris Coronel got All-Section Honorable Mention. All-League Honorable Mentions went to backfielders Christian Torres and Nicholas Carraro, mid-fielders Jason Ruivo and Carlos Lojano, and forward Carlos Gomez.
Much of the credit for building up the Horsemen from a core of boys who have played together for years, goes to Coach Rich Scamarone, Assistant Coach Ben Foster and former Coach Tommy DiLorenzo.
We thank them.
