Pearl River Boys Soccer Stifles Panas [VIDEO]

The No. 2 Pearl River boys soccer team returned to the field after a five-day layoff to play No. 15 Walter Panas in a Section 1 Class A playoff game Friday at the Orangetown Mighty Midgets Soccer Complex in Orangeburg.

"It’s hard to get them going again, especially when you're playing a team you don’t know about," Pearl River Coach Damon O'Keefe said. "The first seven minutes weren’t great. We came out a little bit flat. They exposed us a bit getting to the goal a couple of times. Then we kind of settled down. It’s pretty obvious, when these guys start putting the combination passes together, we get very dangerous."

Brian Chiarello came off the bench to score Pearl River's first goal, sparking a three-goal offensive outburst late in the first half that keyed the Pirates' 4-0 victory.

"We were earning some set pieces there and we just couldn’t finish," O'Keefe said. "All of a sudden Brian Chiarello comes off the bench and does a great job tracking down ball and gets one through. Then their defense breaks down and Alex Castillo makes two great moves, probably his two best moves of the year. He saved them for the right time. One for an assist and then he makes that great move in front of the goal, which was spectacular."

Castillo beat a defender along the end line to help set up Jared Schlosser's goal that extended Pearl River's lead to 2-0. Then he made an even better play to score a goal of his own and push the Pirates' advantage to 3-0.

Alex Zbar added a goal in the second half for the final, 4-0 score.

"Usually when we get a goal, they keep coming and coming," Pearl River senior sweeper Sam Berry said. "We get a goal and everyone gets fired up."

That was more than enough for the Pearl River defense. Justin Cueva made six saves before coming out late in the second half and Austin Maggilio completed the shutout. O'Keefe pointed to the strong play of his defense, anchored by Berry, as a key to the victory.

"It’s got to be around nine or 10 shutouts (this season)," O'Keefe said. "He’s the reason why. Don’t get me wrong. The keepers have been playing great, but Sam is the catalyst in the back."

The Pirates did not know it right after Friday's game, but they will face a very familiar opponent in the quarterfinals at home Tuesday. Pearl River will face No. 7 Lakeland, the only team to beat the Pirates this season. Pearl River had not even trailed in a game before the _1-0 loss Oct. 10. _

"We’re hoping to see them and hoping to really finish," O'Keefe said. "Last game we had a lot of opportunities and we couldn’t finish. If we play our game, I think we can really play much better than last time."

The No. 2 Pearl River boys soccer team returned to the field after a five-day layoff to play No. 15 Walter Panas in a Section 1 Class A playoff game Friday at the Orangetown Mighty Midgets Soccer Complex in Orangeburg.

"It’s hard to get them going again, especially when you're playing a team you don’t know about," Pearl River Coach Damon O'Keefe said. "The first seven minutes weren’t great. We came out a little bit flat. They exposed us  bit getting to the gol a couple of times. Then we kind of settled down. It’s pretty obvious, when these guys start putting the combination passes together, we get very dangerous."

Brian Chiarello came off the bench to score Pearl River's first goal, sparking a three-goal offensive outburst late in the first half that keyed the Pirates' 4-0 victory.

"We were earning some set pieces there and we just couldn’t finish," O'Keefe said. "All of a sudden Brian Chiarello comes off the bench and does a great job tracking down ball and gets one through. Then their defense breaks down and Alex Castillo makes two great moves, probably his two best moves of the year. He saved them for the right time. One for an assist and then he makes that great move in front of the goal, which was spectacular."

Castillo beat a defender along the end line to help set up Jared Schlosser's goal that extended Pearl River's lead to 2-0. Then he made an even better play to score a goal of his own and push the Pirates' advantage to 3-0.

Alex Zbar added a goal in the second half for the final, 4-0 score.

"Usually when we get a goal, they keep coming and coming," Pearl River senior sweeper Sam Berry said. "We get a goal and everyone gets fired up."

That was more than enough for the Pearl River defense. Justin Cueva made six saves before coming out late in the second half and Austin Maggilio completed the shutout. O'Keefe pointed to the strong play of his defense, anchored by Berry, as a key to the victory.

"It’s got to be around nine or 10 shutouts (this season)," O'Keefe said. "He’s the reason why. Don’t get me wrong. The keepers have been playing great, but Sam is the catalyst in the back."

The Pirates did not know it right after Friday's game, but they will face a very familiar opponent in the quarterfinals at home Tuesday. Pearl River will face No. 7 Lakeland, the only team to beat the Pirates this season. Pearl River had not even trailed in a game before the 1-0 loss Oct. 10.

"We’re hoping to see them and hoping to really finish," O'Keefe said. "Last game we had a lot of opportunities and we couldn’t finish. If we play our game, I think we can really play much better than last time."

Editor's note: Check out Carol Dyer's pictures from the game.