Hopes Born, Dashed on Rams

CARMEL—Even Carmel High boys soccer coach Mike Gizzo can’t really explain the 5-0 whipping his Rams put on 11-3 Lakeland last Friday, but neither Gizzo or his players had reason to smile Monday after Yorktown – playing a man down – left Carmel with a 2-1 League 1-B victory.

Kyle Cassidy (16) of Carmel and Yorktown player go for header Monday at Carmel. The Rams also shut out Panas, 3-0, last Wednesday, leaving their record at 6-6-2 overall, 4-3-2 in league play. Carmel was set to wrap up regular-season action Tuesday against Mahopac. Sectionals are set to open Friday or Saturday, with pairings being announced too late for inclusion in this edition.

Monday against Yorktown, the Rams trailed 1-0 early in the first half, after the Cornhuskers got a goal from Garrett Warshay.

But Carmel answered with about 12 minutes left in the half, when Brandon Devlin – who had a number of break opportunities down the left wing - burned a defender first, then, from close range, easily shot past the Husker keeper to even the score at 1-1.

Sean Gavin of Carmel looks to pass. Two minutes later a Yorktown player was red-carded and ejected. He had fallen on the field, covering the ball with his body, and a Carmel player appeared to kick the ball or the player covering the ball. The Yorktown player then got up and went after the Carmel player, drawing the red card.

The end result left Yorktown (11-4-1) a man down for the rest of the game.

But with about 5:00 remaining in the half, Carmel’s defense got caught trying to execute an offsides trap, and instead Yorktown’s Rob Papari got a one-onone with Rams keeper Steve Mazzoni, and deposited what would be the gamewinner.

The Cornhuskers loaded the back in the second half, and held off all Carmel attacks for the win.

Carmel’s Joe Ilardi (9) looks to block pass by Yorktown player Monday. “Yorktown is a strong team,” Gizzo said. They’re fast up front, and that was a lot for us to handle. We didn’t make the adjustments we needed to make right away… their midfield gave us trouble today. But Mazzoni played outstanding – he made some spectacular saves. And Devlin continues to do a great job up front.”

Mazzoni finished with 14 saves, including at least one off his face, in net for the Rams. Louis Lizarzaburu had six saves for Yorktown.

Gizzo was impressed with his team’s domination of a strong Lakeland (11-3- 1), where Carmel led 1-0 before littering the net with four goals in the second half. The Rams also blanked Panas two days earlier, out-scoring the two opponents 8-0.

“I’m not really sure what happened in that game,” Gizzo said of the Lakeland win, sounding a bit perplexed. “But it was a great win for us… our best team win of the season. Our defense was on in both games. To give up just nine shots on goal in two games is spectacular. Our defense was solid, and we were able to control the midfield in both games. Anthony D’Arco and Mykhaylo Panchishak were spectacular against Lakeland, and Kyle Cassidy had a great game.”

Yorktown keeper Luis Lizarzabura corrals shot as Carmel’s Mike Dorazio (3) and Joe Ilardi (9) follow. And a hot Devlin also hasn’t hurt. The Rams’ striker has scored nine goals in Carmel’s last four games. “He’s been taking control of games,” Gizzo said. “He’s taking his game to another level. He’s really becoming a striker.”

Devlin scored two goals in the win over Lakeland, Sean Gavin added a goal and two assists, Panchishak had a goal and an assist, Lucas Ruggerio had a goal, and D’Arco had one assist.

Steve Reiche had 10 saves for Lakeland, and Mazzoni had six for the Rams.

Devlin also scored twice against Panas (1-9). Joe Ilardi had Carmel’s other goal, and Cassidy had an assist.

Mazzoni stopped three shots for Carmel, and Ian Thomasset had eight saves for Panas.