Hicksville wins to make state semifinals
Hicksville's Peter DiLorenzo reacts after scoring on Brentwood in the Class AA championship. (Nov. 13, 2011) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Hicksville team was happy enough that it reached the state boys soccer semifinals for the first time since 1983. What made the Comets' smiles a little wider was the team they beat to get there.
Peter DiLorenzo and Kyle Poetzsch scored for Hicksville in a 2-0 win over Brentwood in the Long Island Class AA/Southeast Regional final Sunday night at Adelphi. Brentwood won the state championship in two of the last three seasons and won the LIC the last three seasons, including a 3-0 win over Hicksville two years ago.
Hicksville (16-1-2) will play Shenendehowa in a state semifinal at 12:15 p.m. Saturday at Middletown High School.
"It's extra special to beat Brentwood,'' DiLorenzo said. "Our defense played amazing. Our midfield controlled it. To beat the top team on the Island is great.''
Hicksville dominated the first half and led 1-0. DiLorenzo scored off a cross from Lucas Munoz with 26:15 left, and Brentwood was fortunate to be trailing by only one goal. Raul Bonilla kept the Indians close by making five of his eight saves, and Hicksville hit the crossbar twice.
The Comets have a lot of height, and it impacted Brentwood (17-3-1).
"We knew they were fast and quick on the ball,'' Munoz said. "We stayed back and played our game. Our height was a complete advantage. It made such a big difference.''
Still, the Indians trailed by just one and had come back numerous times during their run. Poetzsch made sure it didn't happen this time as he scored with 4:24 left in the game. Brian McPartland made six saves in the shutout.
"We knew we would have problems with their height, and we did,'' Brentwood coach Ron Eden said. "I'm proud of my guys. It was a great run, but it had to come to an end.''
Said Hicksville coach Scott Starkey: "We went through some big teams. We played Long Island's best and came out on top.''
