Soccer

Courage under fire

Goldstein’s stunning saves not enough to stave off Red Hook

By RICHARD A. ROSS

RED HOOK, NY — Sometimes no matter what you do, it just isn’t enough.

For the Monticello Panthers, returning to the Class A boys soccer sectional tournament for the first time since 2005, stopping Red Hook’s successive wave of attacks or getting its own offense in gear on October 29 just wasn’t in the cards.

After Monticello knocked off perennial champ Goshen 1-0 in its regular season league finale to make it to sectionals, breaking a 10-year drought against the daunting Gladiators, the Monties were confident that they could play close with anyone in the tournament.

But playing teams you’ve never seen before is a challenge, and Red Hook quickly unveiled a surprising array of skills and speed that had the Monties back on their heels from early on.

Coming in at 13-3, Red Hook, which moved up from Class B a year ago, had only lost to number-one seed Rondout Valley, Wallkill and to Onteora in its only division loss against four wins. The Panthers had made it to the dance by virtue of their 3-3 Division III record. Overall, Monticello was 8-9.

In the Class B sectionals in 2007, Red Hook beat Ellenville before losing to eventual champion Spackenkill 2-0.

As this game wore on, Monticello junior keeper Trevor Goldstein would do everything, including standing on his head, diving through midair and slamming his body to the ground, to stop advancing balls. It was a stunning performance in goal. Goldstein amassed upwards of 20 saves. But in the end, even his acrobatics and unflagging courage could not stop five Red Hook goals from entering the net.

But that final score of 5-0 does not tell the complete tale.

“Our kids played 80 minutes whistle to whistle,” said Monticello coach John Maranzana. “Obviously, we’re disappointed with the score, but we have to give Red Hook props. They’re a very good team, better than us technically and they exposed a lot of our weaknesses. But our kids played hard today.” Maranzana gave much praise to Goldstein, who held Red Hook to a 2-0 lead at the half.

In that first half, Monticello had its chances to cut the deficit. One of the best opportunities came on a shot at an open net by Kyle Bennett that popped into the net above the cage.

Prior to the game, Maranzana told his players to “leave it all out on the field. Do your best and have fun,” he counseled.

Junior captain Colin Bunce dribbled through early traffic and sent a nice ball ahead to Jason Pabon. But in a preview of coming attractions, Red Hook showed its deftness in clearing the ball efficiently. A trip of Red Hook sophomore Kyle Murphy just outside the box led to a direct kick and the first score. The ball sailed in front and was poked into the right back corner of the net by sophomore Michael Knox, not even six minutes in at 34:02.

Monticello’s Alex Castro, who scored the lone goal against Goshen, had a chance at about 11 minutes in but it lacked the speed or angle to make a dent. Meanwhile, Red Hook turned won balls into onslaught after onslaught.

“They’re killing us in the middle of the field,” commented Monticello assistant coach Dan Orlan. Bennett’s near goal was made possible by a feed from Dylan Avery. Monticello fought back as Erik Mayberg worked hard and saved a ball just inside the sideline. Red Hook won it back and, at 27:53, Murphy scored with an assist from Hourihan to make it 2-0.

The teams retired to the blustery halftime with Red Hook leading 2-0.

Red Hook went right back at it to start the second period and despite a great effort by Ruben Rebolledo to clear the ball out, Stary sent one to Hourihan at 8:12 to make it 3-0. But Monticello did not abate.

Pabon had a nice opportunity about 13 minutes in, but Red Hook’s backline defense made Herrera’s job easy. He’d need only five saves on the day. Mayberg played with uncommon fury. In the best shape of his career, he rocketed up and down the field and headed a strong ball right at Herrera at 14-plus minutes in. A short while later, Colin Bunch went down on the far sideline but soon got up and returned to the fray.

Running, jumping and sliding, Richie Hugel showed immense energy and offers great promise for next year.

Pabon blasted one that sailed over the top of the cage. The feisty junior just shook his head as he came out momentarily for a breather.

Goldstein slid out to cut off the angle from Hourihan, who had picked up a ball from teammate Chris Loeffel. But the wily striker got it by him at 25:46 to make it 4-0.

That allowed coach Steve Sutton to rotate players in and give some of his starters a rest for the next day’s game against Goshen, a game they’d lose to the eventual champions.

Maranzana weighed the loss against the accomplishment of his team. “For this team, it was a great accomplishment to get back to sectionals. We play in a tough conference with Goshen and Cornwall. Nearly every year one of them is playing for a title. The win against Goshen was huge.”

Monticello will lose several senior starters to graduation including Alex Castro, Irvin Sorto and Arton Gashi. Mayberg will graduate too, but many players including Goldstein, captains Colin and Devin Bunce, Bennett, Hugel and others will be back for another run.

Monticello finished its season at 8-10.

Lady Wildcats ousted by S.S. Seward

In other Section Nine action, Livingston Manor’s girls team was ousted by S.S. Seward 4-0 at the Hudson Valley Sports Dome. Seward, the defending State Champion in Class C, will now begin its quest for a Class D state title.

Visit riverreportersports.com for an album of pictures from the Monticello-Red Hook match.