Ryan Nigro leads defensive effort as Commack wins Suffolk Class AA title, 1-0
Commack's Vinchenzo Diliberti and Scott Cebollerocelebrate their win over Walt Whitman in the Suffolk Class AA boys soccer final on Nov. 7, 2014. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Ryan Nigro received the news Friday morning during second period.
Yes, despite getting 14 stitches in his back Monday, he would be able to play in the county championship game Friday night.
"All the doctors I went to before then said I probably shouldn't play," said Nigro, the stalwart defender of the Commack boys soccer team. "I went to the school doctor and he said, 'You know, if you want to take the risks and if you use precaution, you could play.' "
That's all Nigro had to hear.
"This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me," he said. "I wasn't going to miss it."
Commack is grateful that he didn't.
Behind a remarkable defensive effort by Nigro, Justin Cebollero and goalie Ryan Sinnott, No. 2 Commack defeated No. 4 Whitman, 1-0, for the Suffolk Class AA title at Dowling Sports Complex in Shirley. It's the Cougars' first county championship since 1995.
Commack (17-1-1) will play MacArthur (14-0-3) in the Long Island championship / state Southeast Regional final at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Dowling.
"There are no words to describe what this is like," Cebollero said while many in the crowd chanted his name.
Gene Sicoli scored the goal in the 53rd minute, heading in Mike Pallonetti's corner kick.
After taking the lead, Commack lost two of its defenders, Anthony Izzo and Josh Eisler, to yellow cards. Both had been playing particularly well.
Just as he did when Nigro left the county semifinal game with the back injury that required the stitches, Cebollero moved to the back at that point, this time commanding the defense with Nigro.
Whitman (15-4-1) had some chances to tie it late in the second half, but Commack's defense kept making stops. Sinnott (eight saves) ranged to his left to make a diving save of a shot by Blake Aronson with 20 minutes left. A few minutes later, Nigro blocked a shot near the goal line by Witman Hernandez, then deflected the ensuing shot off the rebound.
"At first it was chaotic, but we were able to adjust and adapt, and that may be important for us now going forward," Nigro said. "It's good to know we have depth."
For the Cougars, it's also good to know that 14 stitches aren't enough to keep Nigro, whom teammates call "The Honey Badger" because of his work ethic, off the field.
"Ryan Nigro," coach Dave Viegas said, "is going to leave a legacy on this program."
