Boys soccer: Scarsdale wins title, is officially better than any Class AA team in New York
MIDDLETOWN – Defense wins championships.
So does a disciplined offense that meticulously controls the ball in the final third, forcing opponents to burn precious calories between possessions. Scarsdale was on the ball and in synch from the start. The Raiders posted a methodical 2-0 win over McQuaid Jesuit on Sunday at Middletown High School and now have the NYSPHSAA Class AA championship in their possession.
“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” senior midfielder Nico Galeano said. “This has to be the greatest thing ever.”
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Scarsdale also put a bold exclamation point on a 21-0 season.
“I didn’t expect this, honestly, coming into the season,” sophomore forward Lorenzo Galeano said. “We had to get revenge after losing in the section final last year. It was hard to go undefeated. We obviously had that dog mentality in us. We had to stay away in every single game, no matter who we played.”
The Raiders clearly had their eyes wide open for this one, knowing the Section 3 champions were also coming in unbeaten.
It wasn’t long before McQuaid understood that possession time was going to be short.
“They love playing that way,” Scarsdale coach Marcos Monteagudo said. “They love having the ball. They love pushing the tempo. It’s spectacular to watch.”
Nico Galeano scored off a rebound in the ninth minute when a header from Leo Khang was not controlled by the keeper. McQuaid’s best chance slammed off a post four minutes after the intermission. Lorenzo Galeano froze a defender with impressive footwork deep in the box then added insurance with 24 minutes to go.
What it means
The system works and the kids enjoy stringing lengthy possessions together and controlling the game up front.
"It feels like Barca," Nico Galeano said. "By playing offense, we’re literally playing defense. If they can’t touch the ball they can’t score."
There were just two prominent seniors in the rotation this season, too, so if everyone comes back in the fall, the Raiders are set up well to defend the championship.
Player of the game
He scored the first goal of the game and got everyone settled, but more importantly was the winning tone Nico Galeano set in the midfield. He probably didn't lose more than two 50-50 balls all weekend.
By the numbers
Scarsdale (21-0): Lucas Kantor made four saves, including a diving highlight-reel stop in the closing minutes to lock down the shutout. .
McQuaid (18-1-2): Niyen Ruffin made seven saves.
They said it
"A lot of credit has to go to the club coaches who are with them year-round," Monteagudo said. "We get them in fantastic shape and hope not to mess it up. We’re so thrilled with how this happened. ... I thought we had the potential to win a state championship, but I didn’t know we could go undefeated. It’s a dream come true. The kids responded every time, listened to direction and here we are."
"This is the greatest thing ever," Nico Galeano said. "In my last game with my brother we get a state championship and end up going 21-0."
Mike Dougherty covers boys soccer for The Journal News and lohud.com. He can be reached by email at mdougher@lohud.com or via Twitter @hoopsmbd
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Boys soccer: Scarsdale shuts out McQuaid to win state soccer title
