By PAUL GOTHAM
NEWBURGH, N.Y. — Gabriel Barraclough-Tan created several opportunities. Christian Burkahrt made his share of spectacular saves, but on this day it wasn’t enough.
Adam Hiller’s squad came up against a force they could not stop.
“I don’t think we played well,” Hiller said after his Brighton Barons fell 2-0 to Amityville (XI) in the NYSPHSAA Class A Boys Soccer semifinals Saturday morning at Mount Saint Mary College. “We had a bunch of opportunities to shoot from distance and we didn’t for some reason. We didn’t have a crack from 20-25 yards out, and I think that could have changed things up a little bit.”
Henry Martinez gave Amityville a 1-nil advantage in the match’s 18thminute. Roman Guardado connected in the 70th minute when he intercepted a clearing attempt and slotted one in the side netting for the final margin, and Amityville ended Brighton’s season.
“Christian played awesome in the net,” Hiller said of his goalkeeper. “They’re good. They (Amityville) missed a bunch of chances.”
Brighton had their opportunities as well.
25’ Mat Ochs restart to Caio De Medeiros just high. Amityville leads Brighton 1-0 @NYSPHSAA Class A semifinals pic.twitter.com/MZ4tDv7Z1H
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 10, 2018
Barraclough-Tan beat a trio of Amityville defenders along the left flank early in the first half, but a Connor McQuillan attempt was just wide of frame. A Mat Ochs cross following a corner kick chance found Caio De Medeiros inside the box, but the header sailed just over the cross bar.
“I’m proud of my guys, though,” Hiller said. “Their goalie had one save where he tipped one over the bar early in the first. That would have made a difference.”
48’ Early opportunities for Connor McQuillan and Caio De Medeiros Brighton trails Amityville 1-0 pic.twitter.com/2hWtym1qYY
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) November 10, 2018
Amityville (20-0-1) came into the game outscoring opponents 81-12. In the postseason, the Warriors increased that effort by a 21-1 margin over their last four contests.
“They have very solid strikers up top,” Barraclough-Tan said referring to Guardado and Kvmani Hines. “They are very dangerous. They work well in tandem together which is hard for two center backs to deal with especially when they running and creating chaos.
“Their center backs are good at just kinda bypassing the midfield and just clipping balls into them. They do well going long and essentially just turning and running by defenders. They’re very quick, very technical and very good at finishing.”
Brighton lost Rikki Nord with 15:55 remaining in the game. The Barons had been gathering momentum at that point and building chances when the senior outside back went to the turf with an ankle injury and had to be removed by stretcher.
“It was hard,” Hiller said. “It was also snowing and windy. The weather kinda changed and shifted. They’re focus, and this is why I love these guys, they’re focus was on Rikki. We’re going to go to the hospital, right now, everybody and see him.
“The guys wanted to play for him. I don’t think it messed us up that much. It settled them (Amityville) down. I think they played better after. We pushed a little bit and changed some formations. Our middle was exposed.”
Guardado’s goal came five minutes later.
“In our run we’ve been very, very unselfish which has been helpful for us,” Amityville head coach Mike Abbondondolo said. “We have players with 1v1 ability but who are also unselfish. It’s a pretty special thing that we have.”
Brighton (17-5-0) had won nine straight coming into the game to reach the state semis for the second in program history. The Barons lost in a shootout to end the 2011 season.
“To the program, it means a lot and to me as well,” Barraclough-Tan said. “I can say for sure that we’ve improved every step of the way going from struggling as freshmen to sophomore year and junior year. I just hope that the program can keep improving and hopefully these guys are back at it again next year.”
Other Section V Boys Soccer scores from Saturday
Class C
Geneseo 5 S.S. Seward (IX) 1
Geneseo will play Lansing (IV) in Sunday’s final. A 12:30 PM kickoff is scheduled at Middletown High School. The game can be streamed at the NFHS Network.
C.G. Finney 2 Mount Academy (IX) 2
Mount Academy advances on PKs (4-1) to Sunday’s championship and ends Finney’s season.
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