Glen Cove boys soccer stuns Garden City to win Nassau Class A championship

Garden City was at Mitchel Athletic Complex Wednesday night, playing for first prize, and it was no surprise. The talented Trojans received the No. 1 seed in the Nassau Class A boys soccer tournament. They arrived for their sixth straight appearance in the final unscathed through 15 games. 

Glen Cove, on the other hand, rose from the No. 11 seed. The Big Red took down No. 2 MacArthur in overtime in the semis. 

Could they take down another giant?

Yes, they could. 

Garden City had edged Glen Cove by a goal in last fall’s championship match. This time, the Big Red got goals from Enry Hernandez and Londell Wheeler and terrific defensive play on the way to a 2-0 win and the program’s first county crown since 2016. 

“It means a lot,” said Wheeler, their standout midfielder. “… We were doubted the whole season, ever since it started. They said we were young. They said we couldn’t do it. Once I saw the potential in August when we started tryouts, I knew this team was capable of winning a championship. It was my last year. I knew I wanted to bring it home. My leadership led them. They look up to me.” 

Brian Smith downplayed the seeding angle. But there was no downplaying of the rematch angle by the Glen Cove coach. 

“This is the game we wanted from the start of the season,” Smith said. “This is the rematch that we needed to have. And it all came together for us at the right time.” 

They will return here Sunday to go after a Long Island championship against the winner of Thursday’s Suffolk final between Amityville and Half Hollow Hills West. 

“Our next opponent should be worried,” Hernandez said. “We worked hard. They should be scared of our hard work.” 

Hernandez got off a quick direct kick and beat James Castoro from about 25 yards out with 10:10 left in the first half to make it 1-0. 

“I caught him off guard,” Hernandez said. 

Garden City pressed to tie it in the second half, but Bryan Hernandez made three saves and the crossbar made another. 

Wheeler then put an exclamation point on the win, scoring from outside the top of the box with 2:08 to play. 

“This is not just a victory for the team,” Smith said. “It’s a victory for the school. It’s a victory for the town. And, honestly, we all did it together.” 

The Trojans were stung by the loss. 

“The other team just had a great game,” coach Paul Cutter said. “We had opportunities that the keeper made some great saves on. Sometimes soccer can be a cruel game.”