Chan Goal Lifts ‘Pac over Yorktown, 4-3

MAHOPAC—Jesse Chan’s goal 6:33 into overtime lifted the Mahopac High boys soccer team to a 4-3 victory over Yorktown in a League 1-B game played last Saturday at Yorktown.

SKIP PEARLMAN Mahopac’s Jesse Chan delivered the game-winning goal in a 4-3 win over Yorktown last Saturday. Yorktown led 3-0 in the game, before the Indians (8-2-2, 4-1-1) mounted their comeback.

Brandon Paolicelli, Allen Mata and Eric McLee all converted to give Yorktown a 3-0 advantage – with 15 minutes still remaining in the first half.

The Indians got two of those scores back before the break.

Dave Sparozic scored off a corner, assisted by Chin, with 3:30 left in the half, making it a 3-1 game.

And in the 39th minute it was Rob Schiera who, from in front of the net, headed a ball backwards to Miguel Paz, who then headed it into the goal to cut the deficit to 3-2.

Halfway through the second half, Mahopac’s James Schiera got the equalizer, converting off a pass from Andrew Gorodess, setting up overtime.

Once in OT, Chan took a pass from Frank Fonseca and delivered the game-winner.

“I’m still kind of shocked,” Mahopac coach Chris Emery said. “It was definitely an emotional roller-coaster. We came out flat, and we had our backup keeper in. But he re-grouped after a rough start, and the last 5:00 of the first half changed the course of the game. We got those two goals on set plays, and that gave us a lot of momentum going into the second half. Then we kept fighting, and finally got the equalizer, and the win in OT. Jesse’s goal was beautiful, and the kids showed a lot of heart.”

Dave Ferreira stopped six shots on goal for Mahopac, and Luis Lizarzabura had three saves for Yorktown.

“Ferreira had a great game, and held them for over 61 minutes,” Emery said. “He had some big saves in the second half. And Sparozic played amazing defense – he blocked at least three or four good opportunities, and scored our first goal. Fonseca and Arthur Strzekpa applied great pressure on defense, and Chan had a huge goal. The kids never gave up.”

Mahopac was set to host Brewster Friday at 4pm at the Baldwin Meadows field. The Indians visit Carmel Tuesday at 4:30pm.