Ryan Narvaez sets stage for Connetquot's boys soccer win
Connetquot midfield Ryan Narvaez sends the pass to the Bellport net during a Suffolk League II soccer game Monday at Connetquot. Credit: George A Faella
Ryan Narvaez saw a chance and took it.
As he chased down a pass from Daniel Widing that traveled through a sea of defenders into the box, he knew he could score as long as he got to the ball first.
Narvaez beat Bellport goalie Jairo Enrique to it by a step and touched it into the net with his left foot for the first goal of Connetquot’s 3-0 home win in Suffolk II boys soccer on Monday.
The goal came with 19:42 remaining in the first half and helped the Thunderbirds loosen up on a cold, rainy afternoon.
“It set the pace for us and electrified the team a little bit,” Narvaez said. “We started getting a groove going. It was a game-changer.”
With the win, Connetquot (7-2-1, 5-1) overtook Bellport for first place in the Suffolk II.
Connetquot came out of halftime in a rhythm, and Robert Herrera netted a low line drive off a high-floating pass from Matthew Iparraguirre with 37:19 remaining.
Matthew Plana scored the final goal from the 40-yard line, as he placed the ball perfectly over the head of Enrique, who made six saves for Bellport.
Connetquot controlled the ball for most of the game, thanks in large part to excellent defense.
“Once we settled down, we really picked up our possessions,” coach John Zambriski said. “The defense was stellar. . . . They shut them down today.”
The few times Bellport (7-2, 4-2) was able to get a shot off, Tyler Moore was right there to stop it.
“I have a lot of trust in my back defenders to possess the ball and be able to move it and I’m there in case a mistake happens,” said the senior goalie, who made four saves. “Our chemistry in the back is phenomenal.”
The defense has been a key to Connetquot’s success, as all five of its wins against divisional opponents have been shutouts. The Thunderbirds’ lone Suffolk II loss was a 1-0 defeat against Sachem North on Sept. 22.
Since then, Connetquot has won three straight, including a 1-0 win over third place Sachem East. With sole possession of first place and five games remaining,the Thunderbirds feel the momentum building.
“We had a tough loss a few weeks ago, but this win keeps the pace up,” Herrera said. “We’ll keep going higher and higher; there’s no stopping us now.”
