Devlin Scores Two to Power Rams Past Bears

BREWSTER – Brandon Devlin scored two goals for Carmel last Saturday, and the Rams held on to edge Brewster, 2-1, in a League 1-B soccer game played at Brewster. The Bears also dropped a 1-0 decision to Lakeland in another league game Monday at home.

The two losses left Brewster at 6-5-2 overall, 2-4-2 in league action. Carmel improved to 4-5-2.

Monday afternoon against Lakeland (10-3-1), the Hornets took the early lead off a goal from Dan Foci, and led 1-0 at halftime.

The Bears tied the game on a goal by Ryan Williams, assisted by Jorge Lopez, 5:00 into the second half, but the Hornets got the decisive score with 6:00 remaining on a goal by Chris Jonas.

Jason DiNardo had 10 saves for Brewster, and Steve Reiche stopped eight shots on goal for Lakeland.

“We made a lot of fundamental mistakes,” Brewster coach Scott Potusek said. “In the second half we had way too many offsides calls… Hopefully we can learn from this for the rest of the season and the playoffs.”

Saturday against Carmel, Devlin booted home the game-winner with 30 seconds left in regulation. He also scored Carmel’s first goal of the game, in the first half.

Williams evened the score at 1-1, off a pass from Alex Minsker, in the second half.

Tim Ho had seven saves for Brewster, while Steve Mazzoni stopped eight shots for the Rams.

“It was a huge win for us,” Carmel coach Mike Gizzo said. “To win it with 30 seconds, and not have to go to overtime again, was big. It was only our second league win, so the timing was good. Devlin willed us to win that game… he took it on himself. Defensively, Matt Doyle was everywhere, and Mazzoni made a huge difference for us in the goal.”

Potusek was not as happy with his team’s performance – especially in the first half.

“We played well in the second, but not in the first,” he said. “Our passing was not on… we just didn’t come out as strong as we could have.”

Carmel was scheduled to host Lakeland Friday at 4:30pm, and the Rams host Yorktown Monday at 4:30pm. Brewster was set to visit Mahopac Friday at 4:30pm., and the Bears travel to Panas Saturday for an 11am. start (time for Saturday is tentative).