11-7-08 State CHSAA Semifinal 4-0 W

The Friars take control.

BY JASON MOLINET

As the first semifinal game moved into overtime and beyond, there was a fear the long delay might impact the St. Anthony’s boys soccer team. The Friars warmed up. Then they retreated into the locker room. And then players came back out to watch as Molloy advanced past Iona Prep on penalty kicks, 4-1.

By the time the Friars took the field against CHSAA Buffalo champion Nichols, an hour had come and gone. Would it have an impact on the game?

Not on St. Anthony’s. The Friars dominated from start to finish, controlling the midfield in a 4-0 win late Friday in state CHSAA boys soccer semifinal at Adelphi in Garden City. Junior Nick Masotto scored twice and Nichols didn’t manage a shot on goal until the game’s final 1:05.

Call it complete domination. In fact, starting goalkeeper Alex Naples could do nothing more than clap on his teammates. Now St. Anthony’s (19-0-1), ranked second in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, plays Molloy for the state title at 3 p.m. Sunday at Adelphi.

“They weren’t ready for our style of play,’’ said midfielder Mike Valencia, who recorded two assists. “They were just chasing us. You could hear them getting winded after just 10 minutes.’’

Masotto got things going with 21:19 left in the opening half.

It was still 1-0 early in the second half. Keith Jecewiz pressed Nichols with two great drives. The first was a flick over the charging keeper just 30 seconds into the second half. But the ball sailed just over the crossbar. Jecewiz got the ball with a shot on goal again just two minutes later. This time he fired a blast that the keeper absorbed in the gut.

The Friars finally broke through in the 47th minute when Greg Mallia dribbled through a pack of defenders and fired near corner from just outside the box. The ball sliced between a narrow gap between the keeper and the post for a 2-0 lead.

Masotto struck again three minutes later and the rout was on. Coach Gene Buonaiuto began wholesale substitutions moments later.

Matt Barry closed scoring with 3:58 left. It was a long night, but worth the wait.