MacArthur advances to title game

MacArthur sophomore goalkeeper Sean Lyons entered last Friday night’s Nassau County Class AA boys’ soccer semifinal playoff game against Plainview-JFK with 12 shutouts, but it was a save from the Generals’ sweeper that proved pivotal in keeping championship dreams alive.

With 8:11 remaining and third-seeded MacArthur leading by a goal, JFK’s David Geyer was able to get behind Lyons with a clear shot to tie the game, but senior Greg Baumstein positioned himself in front of the net and booted away the attempt. The third-seeded Generals then clamped down defensively before Kevin Clifford sealed the 2-0 win with an empty net goal in the final seconds to move MacArthur (13-0-3) into the Class AA finals on Wednesday, after press time, against No. 4 Syosset at Hofstra University. 

It’s MacArthur’ first county finals appearance. 

“It saved the game for us,” said MacArthur head coach Andy Atkins of the awareness play from Baumstein, who is the reigning Conference AA-3 defensive player of the year and has helped anchor a General defense that has only allowed three goals all season. “That was a phenomenal play.”

Baumstein’s heroics came 13 minutes after Anthony Rocchio broke a scoreless tie with a rebound goal off a shot from Chris Roditis following a throw in. The game-winning goal followed a flurry of MacArthur scoring chances as the Generals controlled tempo in JFK’s end for much of the match.

“We got to the right spot and were able to put one in,” said Rocchio. “Once we got that goal, the whole confidence of the team grew tremendously.” 

MacArthur has been getting balanced scoring throughout the 2014 campaign including the playoffs. Justin Norcini, Baumstein and Mike Gino all chipped in with goals in the Generals’ quarterfinal 3-0 victory against Mepham on Oct. 28. In all, MacArthur has had 17 different goal scorers throughout the season,

“We have been working as a team the whole season,” said Rocchio. “Our whole team is so strong.”

Atkins said in addition to the team’s play on the field, he has also been impressed with their mental toughness. This was tested late in Friday’s semifinal when play got physical and JFK was whistled for multiple yellow cards that led to the Generals playing two players up in the final minutes.

“We’re a mentally strong team and we kept our heads,” said Atkins. “They are hard-nose tough kids.” 

MacArthur will be shooting for the program’s first Nassau County title against Syosset, which upset defending state champion and previously unbeaten Massapequa, 2-0, in last Friday’s other semifinal game. It is part of a major turnaround effort by Atkins, who in 2012 took over a team that was coming off back-to-back winless seasons.

“It gives the program credibility,” said Atkins of playing on the championship stage for the first time. “It shows the kids that hard work pays off.”