Kennedy edges Long Beach, 1-0

Failing to score in the first half for a 10th straight game didn’t stop Kennedy from upping its unbeaten streak to six with a 1-0 victory over visiting Long Beach in a crucial Conference III boys’ soccer showdown last Monday afternoon.

Senior Mitch Kaplain converted a pass from junior Greg Reiter with 17 minutes remaining to win it for the Cougars (3-2-4 in conference games), who leapfrogged the Marines (3-5-2) in the fight for the fourth and final playoff spot in the conference. 

“Mitch has really stepped up this year to score some big goals,” Kennedy coach Jason Elias said. “Today’s came off a great ball from Greg. He led Mitch perfectly.”

Kennedy senior goalkeeper Tom Anagnostou turned aside all six shots he faced for his sixth shutout of the year. Senior Jordan Ochs made seven saves for Long Beach.

“The effort was there,” Marines coach Bill DeFillipis said. “I don’t think we could’ve played a much better game. We beat them 2-0 the first time, but they’re a solid team and they made adjustments.”

Long Beach’s best scoring chance came in the closing minute off a restart. A crossing pass sailed through a crowded goalmouth untouched, allowing the Cougars to secure a huge three points in the standings. With Great Neck South, Calhoun and Mepham all locked into postseason berths, only one spot is up
for grabs.

“In my opinion, they’ve got one of the most dangerous playmakers in the county in Dylan Palacio,” Elias said. “I thought we did a great job defending him.”

The Cougars haven’t allowed a goal since Sept. 28 when they lost on the road to the Marines. Senior Drew Satnick anchors the defense, which was able to limit scoring chances by Palacio (four goals, eight assists) and senior Vlad Finn (five goals, two assists), who combined for three points in the first meeting. Consistent marking from seniors Andrew Boyer and Jason Brod had a lot to do with Kennedy’s success in the rematch.

“When you have a player of Satnick’s ability it makes everything you’re trying to accomplish in the back that much easier,” Elias said. “He’s so confident and secure with the ball.”

The Cougars were outshot in the first half, 3-2, but as usual enjoyed the better of the play over the next 40 minutes. It was the third straight game the Marines failed to find the net after totaling eight goals in victories over Valley Stream Central and Carey to open October.

“We need to find our offense for the last two games,” DeFillipis said. “We definitely need to win out and hope that we can catch them [Kennedy].”

The Marines have a trip to Mepham and a home game against Valley Stream Central remaining, while Kennedy has visits to Carey and Calhoun wrapped around a home game against conference-leading Great Neck South.

“This is a great win, but we know we still have some work to do,” said Kaplain, who has three game-winning goals.