By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Sean Hopkins didn’t like what he saw for the first 40 minutes of play on Saturday afternoon. When given the opportunity, the Pittsford Sutherland boys’ soccer coach didn’t hesitate to share his displeasure.
And his Knights responded with a strong second half.
Will Field and Maksud Gedemenli connected on second-half tallies as Sutherland beat crosstown rival, Pittsford Sutherland, 2-1 in Monroe County Division III action.
“I was kinda unhappy with them in the first half, and I let them know it a little bit at halftime,” Hopkins said smiling. “I told them maybe I need to do that from now on.”
Deadlocked in a scoreless tie after 40 minutes, Field needed less than seven minutes to change that. The senior attacker took a feed just outside the six-yard box from teammate Henry Walbaum and connected on his team-leading fifth goal of the season.
Will Field starts the scoring in the 47th minute. pic.twitter.com/A7cc5A8Eec
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 18, 2021
Gedemenli added to the advantage 16 minutes later when the Knights strung together five passes.
“In the first half, too much dribbling and we have enough ability that we shouldn’t be afraid to pass to our teammates,” Hopkins said. “Once we start getting everyone involved, then we’re much better. Second half was much better.”
Henry Leahy won a ball in the middle third of the field and found Devon Rashid along the right flank. Rashid and Field combined on a give-and-go with Rashid getting the return in front of the goal mouth. With the keeper and a pair of defenders committed, Rashid played the the ball to his teammate for 2-nil lead.
64’ Maksud Gedemenli gives @SHSsoccersquad a 2-0 lead pic.twitter.com/ti2Yol5gKr
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 18, 2021
That the sequence started in the middle third was important to Hopkins.
“That’s a huge part,” Hopkins noted. “That’s what we did last year. We used to win all those balls. I want to make sure we can do that again.”
Sutherland maintained the pressure throughout the second stanza.
Mendon keeper Ben Shulman made eight saves to keep the game close.
Back-to-back stops by Ben Shulman. pic.twitter.com/jxO9RxT9xh
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 18, 2021
“It’s always a battle,” Hopkins said of the rivalry. “It doesn’t matter who’s good and who’s not or if we’re both good. It’s just always a battle. They pressed us. They put a lot of pressure on us. They were winning a lot of the balls in the first half. We needed to change it.
“It’s very mental. They play together all summer. They’re all friends, and then enemies out here for a little bit and then back to friends again. It’s a fun rivalry. We love it.”
Zachary Young converted on a late throw-in to get Mendon on the scoreboard.
Zachary Young with the flick off the throw-in gets @VikingsSoccer9 on the scoreboard in the 78th minute. FINAL: @SHSsoccersquad 2-1 pic.twitter.com/s93C1NMOBF
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 18, 2021
Sutherland (5-0-0) travels to play McQuaid (7-0-0) on Monday in a game that will feature two state-ranked teams that have combined to outscore opposing sides 38-2. Sutherland has a 13-2 advantage on opponents. A 7 p.m. kickoff is scheduled.
Mendon (2-2-1) travels to Spencerport to play the Rangers on Monday. A 6:30 p.m. start is slated.
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