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On a frigid Saturday morning, the Spackenkill Spartans – and senior captain Antonio Laveglia – waited until the game’s final minutes to fire up the droves of fans who sat shivering in the bleachers.
But Laveglia’s goal with less than two minutes to play came at the perfect time for the Spartans, and the team’s steadfast play overcame the Section I champion Hastings Yellow Jackets boys soccer team 2-1 on Nov. 10 at Arlington High School to win the Class B regional final.
The victory gave Section IX Spackenkill a berth in the state semifinal game at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta against Mattituck on Saturday, Nov. 17 at 10:30 a.m. Mattituck defeated Cold Spring Harbor 1-0 also on Nov. 10.
Before the game, Spartans forward Diego Diaz talked about what it would take to win. “We need to establish communication and play with determination as a team,” he said.
The Spartans controlled the ball early, and the first goal was scored at the nine-minute mark in the first half by junior Anthony Balbo, with an assist from senior Nolan Woyner.
In the huddle at the half with a 1-0 lead, Spartans’ coach Manny Blanco reminded his players that Hastings was no stranger to coming back during such a critical game.
“These guys were down 3-1 in their semifinal game and came back to win 5-4 over Bronxville,” he told his team.
Also during the half, Spackenkill captain Derek White gave his own advice about how to prevent Hastings from having an advantage in field position and penalty kicks.
“If you’re going to foul them, foul them in their end of the field,” he said.
But Hastings controlled the action for much of the second half, and with 10 minutes left in the game, Yellow Jackets senior midfield Mike Pacheco scored to tie the game at one apiece.
“We knew Hastings was going to keep coming at us,” said Blanco, in his fifth season as the Spartans’ head coach. “No. 9 (Aaron Markowitz, Hastings’ top scorer) drove us crazy all game.”
But Spackenkill refused to wilt, and with approximately two minutes left to play, Laveglia banged home the winning goal with an assist by Balbo, his cousin and teammate.
“We didn’t plan it (scoring) that way,” said Laveglia, a four-year varsity starter who has been to the regional finals and state playoffs with the team. “It just happened.”
Hastings nearly tied the game again, but their closing-seconds shot shot sailed too high. Spackenkill goalie Nik Arnoff, who had 14 saves, was a commanding presence in net.
Following the game, Laveglia was elated, noting that all of the hard work put in this season by the team had finally paid off.
“It feels good,” he said.
He added that during the halftime break, the team talked about keeping composure throughout the entire game, advice the team heeded.
“We came out hard, gunning for a win,” said Balbo.
Balbo said advancing to the next round was on the players’ minds. Spackenkill lost in the regionals last year and in the state finals two years ago.
“It takes a lot of heart,” said senior captain Josh Maley.
Spackenkill assistant coach Steve Lomuscio agreed. “All heart was left out on the field,” he said.
After the game, Arlington boys coach Gary Montalto handed out a regional certificate to honor the Hastings boys varsity soccer team for their tremendous efforts this season. Meanwhile, Spackenkill players know their award is waiting to be earned in Oneonta.
“I feel lucky to be part of this school,” Blanco said nostalgically.
Despite losing, Hastings coach Fred Sandhop said that he is proud of his team for how much they’ve improved.
“Last season we didn’t even win our league,” he said.
The Spartans improved their overall record to 19-1.
For complete results of Spackenkill’s trip to the state final four this weekend, check next week’s edition of the Dutchess Beat.
