Hills West Gains Confidence for Playoffs with 5-2 Scrimmage Victory over Sayville

In a scrimmage Friday evening against one of Long Island's top teams, Sayville, the Hills West boys varsity soccer team got a taste of the stiff competition they'll be seeing when the playoffs start next week.

The Sayville Golden Flashes (11-1, 14-1-1) have given up two goals the entire season. Hills West (12-0, 16-0) managed to more than double that in one game by putting up five in a 5-2 win. This gives them confidence leading up to a quarterfinal matchup on Friday, Nov. 5 with either rival Hills East or East Islip.

"When both number-one seeds get together you know it's going to be a challenge," head coach Doug Gannon said. "Sayville has given up two goals the whole year and today we put five on them so maybe our offense is just that good.  We played well, they're a great challenge, it was a great tune up for the playoffs and now we'll work hard in preparing for our quarterfinal matchup."

"We played a very competitive team today and it'll boost our confidence now since we picked up a win and put a couple goals in," senior defender Taylor Brugna said. "It shows that we're ready for playoff season."

The team begins its playoff run at home on Friday, Nov. 5 at 2:30 and can face one of two teams. East Islip was 9-4-1 in League III action this season (10-4-1 overall) and haven't allowed a goal in four straight wins since a 3-1 loss to Newfield back on Oct. 15.

The other possible matchup could prove to be very exciting as there's a chance they could face cross-town rival Hills East. East was 10-3-1 in League II play this season (12-3-1 overall) and while they wouldn't admit too much, it was pretty obvious which team Hills West wants to see on Friday.

"Friday at our place…if it's our cross-town rival there might be 1,000 people there," Gannon said. "It'll be fun. Both teams are very good but it would be nice to play Hills East."

"We saw a team that's on our level today and played them well and beat them," senior keeper Michael Primiano said. "For the playoffs, it would be nice to play Hills East but I know whoever we play we can win. "

Coming off an undefeated season coupled with its history of success, Hills West deserves to be confident. Coach Gannon, however, wants to make sure his team takes it one game at a time.

"I'm just looking for them to keep up the intensity and to not get too cocky," Gannon said. "Everyone's always thinking county finals, Long Island Championship… but we've got to win games before that and each game's going to be tough.

"One of our mottos all year has been 'one more step' and we take each day step by step. I have guys on this team with a lot of playoff experience and they're ready to go."