By Dylan Butler
The Xaverian boys soccer team worked so hard and were seconds away from claiming a point on the road against the defending CHSAA Class A intersectional champions. All that was left was to defend one final set piece and the Clippers would have played Archbishop Molloy to a scoreless draw at Alley Pond Park in Queens Tuesday afternoon.
But Stanners star midfielder Greg Davis snuck in at the back post and headed Giancarlo Maurelo’s free kick near the left sideline into the net.
Seconds later, referee Jack D’Aquilla blew the final whistle and Xaverian would head back to Brooklyn empty-handed.
“You have to feel a little sad for the kids, but I was very proud of them,” Clippers coach Carlos Jaguande said. “They fought. Our game plan was to just wait for them because they’re a very good team and see if we could counterattack, but obviously they were in our end most of the game. … Our game plan was good until the last minute of the game.”
Mike Pappalardi was moved back to sweeper from his usual place in the center of midfield by Jagaunde to shore up his backline against Molloy’s formidable attack. The plan worked, right up until the final kick of the game.
“We’re playing hard the whole game, our defense was solid and to give it up in the last minute was horrible,” Pappalardi said.
Xaverian was never truly dangerous in the attacking third, but it was difficult to break down for a Molloy team considered a favorite to repeat as CHSAA champions. Pappalardi kept Stanners standouts Glenn Whelan, Rocco Romeo and Davis in check for most of the match and, when a shot did sail toward goal, keeper Steven Boundouris was equal to the task.
The senior made several quality saves, including one in the 55th minute when he dived to his left to slap away a Davis header.
“This is probably the best team in the league,” Pappalardi said of Molloy. “We have a couple of juniors who just started, we never really played together, we haven’t had any scrimmages yet. For the first time I think we played really well.”
But Boundouris was also fortunate not to be sent off. Behind the play in the first half, he pushed down on Whelan’s head when the two were on the ground in the 18-yard box, an offense that D’Aquilla didn’t see. And just before the final whistle, he knocked down the net behind him in frustration, earning him a post-game yellow card.
“I spoke to him, he’s a senior and a great keeper,” Jaguande said. “I told him it’s about you, not anyone else. You represent yourself and the school. I was very disappointed in what he did and I know he’s going to rebound and play great for us the rest of the season.”
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Jaguande said he was impressed with his team’s effort, considering it was their first official game. He thinks it’s a good sign for the future.
“It’s an awesome first step and I’m very proud of the kids,” Jaguande said. “Some of the kids were upset that they lost, but I could also tell they were very proud of themselves. These players showed me a lot of heart today.”
The Xaverian boys soccer team worked so hard and were seconds away from claiming a point on the road against the defending CHSAA Class A intersectional champions. All that was left was to defend one final set piece and the Clippers would have played Archbishop Molloy to a scoreless draw at Alley Pond Park in Queens Tuesday afternoon.
But Stanners star midfielder Greg Davis snuck in at the back post and headed Giancarlo Maurelo’s free kick near the left sideline into the net.
Seconds later, referee Jack D’Aquilla blew the final whistle and Xaverian would head back to Brooklyn empty-handed.
“You have to feel a little sad for the kids, but I was very proud of them,” Clippers coach Carlos Jaguande said. “They fought. Our game plan was to just wait for them because they’re a very good team and see if we could counterattack, but obviously they were in our end most of the game. … Our game plan was good until the last minute of the game.”
Mike Pappalardi was moved back to sweeper from his usual place in the center of midfield by Jagaunde to shore up his backline against Molloy’s formidable attack. The plan worked, right up until the final kick of the game.
“We’re playing hard the whole game, our defense was solid and to give it up in the last minute was horrible,” Pappalardi said.
Xaverian was never truly dangerous in the attacking third, but it was difficult to break down for a Molloy team considered a favorite to repeat as CHSAA champions. Pappalardi kept Stanners standouts Glenn Whelan, Rocco Romeo and Davis in check for most of the match and, when a shot did sail toward goal, keeper Steven Boundouris was equal to the task.
The senior made several quality saves, including one in the 55th minute when he dived to his left to slap away a Davis header.
“This is probably the best team in the league,” Pappalardi said of Molloy. “We have a couple of juniors who just started, we never really played together, we haven’t had any scrimmages yet. For the first time I think we played really well.”
But Boundouris was also fortunate not to be sent off. Behind the play in the first half, he pushed down on Whelan’s head when the two were on the ground in the 18-yard box, an offense that D’Aquilla didn’t see. And just before the final whistle, he knocked down the net behind him in frustration, earning him a post-game yellow card.
“I spoke to him, he’s a senior and a great keeper,” Jaguande said. “I told him it’s about you, not anyone else. You represent yourself and the school. I was very disappointed in what he did and I know he’s going to rebound and play great for us the rest of the season.”
Despite the disappointment of the loss, Jaguande said he was impressed with his team’s effort, considering it was their first official game. He thinks it’s a good sign for the future.
“It’s an awesome first step and I’m very proud of the kids,” Jaguande said. “Some of the kids were upset that they lost, but I could also tell they were very proud of themselves. These players showed me a lot of heart today.”
