Overtime Win Sends Whitman Boys Soccer Deeper into Playoffs

By Steve Bartholomew

South Huntington’s Whitman Boys Soccer won their first playoff game in grand fashion before a crowded stadium on Tuesday afternoon. Up against a tough Sachem North team, who equaled the talent, drive, and tenacity of their Wildcat opponents, the game came down to overtime knotted at 3.

“Sachem is a Division 1 playoff team, so we had a quality win today,” said coach John DiGiacomo. “But we could have put a few more in the back of the net, we missed some quality opportunities, so we need to work on that.”

“A lot of teams would have folded after getting equalized and then put back down again,” said coach Brian Karcz. “I give a lot of credit to our guys to find the where-with-all to settle down, and keep pressuring.”

Witman Hernandez scored 3 goals on the day, giving him 20 goals on the season, three goals short of the all-time Whitman season record set in 1996, by whom other than coach Brian Karcz. Hernandez scored his 3rd goal of the game off a cross from Jon Consolo with 5:09 left in the first overtime. Michael Lorello tallied his 11th goal of the season off an assist from Albert Martinez. Albert finished with 2 assists. Austin Salas made 4 saves to preserve the win. “I’m proud of our guys today, they showed heart and determination,” said coach DiGiacomo, as he headed off the field to prepare for Whitman’s next opponent.

The Wildcats’ record now stands at 13-3-1. They are currently ranked 5th in Suffolk County and 12th in New York State. The 4th seeded Wildcats will now face 5th seeded Ward Melville in the quarterfinals at home on Friday at 2pm.

Photo above: Each face has it’s own story as an epic battle unfolds in front of the Sachem net. Witman Hernandez (right) and teammates Albert Martinez (3) and Fabrizio Chamorro (7) prevail as Hernandez sends the ball to the back of the net for his second score of the day.