Commack Boys Soccer Shuts Out Sachem East, 2-0

The Commack boys soccer team (12-1-1, 14-1-1) has closed out their season with a clear win, allowing very few shots on goal from the Sachem East Flaming Arrows (5-7-2, 6-8-2) on Thursday.

Heroes: Jack Miller scored the first goal with a header just out of the goalkeeper's reach.  Harrison Sussman had sent the ball from the midfield line.  It took one bounce and flew up between Miller and Sachem's goalkeeper, where Miller was able to get his head out in front and guide the ball into an unguarded net.  In the second half Miller laid a through ball to Michael Biondo just inside the box.  A quick decision from Biondo put the ball into the opposite corner for Commack's second and final goal.

Turning Point: Minutes after Commack scored in the first half, a Sachem player beat out his defender in a chase for a deep ball.  With possession, he was able to move on the keeper leaving an opening for a score, but by a couple of yards his shot flew past the post.  Aside from that play, the Cougars kept Sachem far out of scoring range.  Only in the last five minutes of the second half did Sachem begin to bring pressure into the box, shooting twice on goal.  "This whole year our defense has been able to keep our wins," Commack's Head Coach Patrick Friel said after the game.

Quote: We were coming off of our best game all season against Ward Melville on Tuesday, and that really seemed to carry over today.  As I see it, it took all 30 of the players to get to this point, so I'm glad we were able to get all 30 of them to play some today," Friel said.  "Our focus now is on the playoffs, we know that down the road we'll be facing the teams that have given us trouble, and we expect them to be tough games."

Bottom Line: Although the Cougars have won league championship, there's going to be strong competition in the playoffs.  Last season's Long Island champions, Brentwood, will certainly pose a challenge.  In their two meetings this year, both teams have come away with a win.  The first game in September went Commack's way, 1-0.  One month later Brentwood came back and won 3-1.  The other class AA teams are no slouches either, but if Commack continues this sort of play they're sure to find success.

Key Stats:

Jack Miller- 1 goal, 1 assist

Michael Biondo- 1 goal

Harrison Sussman- 1 assist

Jake Amereno- 2 saves

Brandon Fleischhacker- 1 save

Who's Next: Playoffs begin Tuesday, Nov. 2, with Huntington @ Commack @ 2:30 p.m.. 

Box Score:

                    1         2          F

Commack  1         1          2

Sachem      0        0          0