Boys soccer: Hagar's overtime goal delivers Marlboro its first Section 9 title

MIDDLETOWN — The plan was for Sam Lofaro to nap on the ride home following the soccer match, resting up for the football game later that afternoon.

That was made difficult, if not impossible, because he and his teammates jumped, shouted and sang during the trip from Middletown High School on Saturday, eschewing the slumber for, well, a party.

“It’s gonna be bonkers!” Alex McAteer promised. “I’m pretty sure the bus driver is gonna want to quit his job after hearing us.”

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As the saying goes, the best-laid plans of champions...

There could be no snoozing after Marlboro, a sleeper team entering this season, captured its first boys soccer section championship. Chris Hagar scored in overtime to lift the Iron Dukes over Spackenkill, 1-0, in the Section 9 Class B final and drew a roar of cheers from its fans who watched as this program, moribund only a few years ago, slowly built itself into a winner.

“It feels ecstatic,” Hagar said. “The team crowding around you after a game-winning goal in overtime for a championship. It’s the kind of thing you dream about.”

He ended a tight, tense showdown of longtime rivals in which possession was about even throughout, but Spackenkill drew more corner kicks and created more scoring opportunities. More than once in the second half, the Dukes held their breath while surviving close calls.

A corner kick sailed beyond the right post and was deflected out, almost cleared by the Spartans, but Hagar retrieved the ball and worked his way from behind a defender and saw an opening. He fired into the far corner with 5:55 remaining in the extra period.

Marlboro (12-6) advances to the regional semifinals and will face the Section 1 champion Wednesday, 4 p.m. at Middletown High School.

“I’m speechless,” Marlboro coach Jim Ventriglia said. “This was our goal from the start. We had our ups and downs, but they persevered, and they made history for the program.”

The top-seeded Dukes withstood several quality drives from No. 2 Spackenkill to record its third straight shutout in the playoffs. The back line of Andrew Schmidt, Tim Feeney, Mark Pesano and Tyler Schmidt held strong under pressure, as did McAteer in goal.

The Spartans made several trips inside the box in the second half and created eight shot opportunities, but none was uncontested. Andrew Schmidt halted a fast break with 5:19 left in regulation, getting a touch and forcing the ball toward the sideline. A corner kick sent toward the right post was headed out as time expired.

A little luck factored, too, as a bicycle kick attempt sailed just wide right with 6:27 remaining in overtime.

“The whole time we’re thinking, ‘Just get the job done. Just find a way,’” said McAteer, who made six saves. “It’s the section championship. We just had to find a way.”

Sean Lucas had five saves for the Spartans, whose defense also shined in the second half, denying Marlboro. Travis Kilpert made a defensive save with 16:44 left in regulation, getting his foot on a shot that was ticketed for the left corner. Spackenkill also blocked three potential shots from inside the 10, which made this match a defensive struggle.

“The key to our success all season has been the defense,” Ventriglia said. “They’ve done a great job executing. We knew (Brian Breslow) was a great scorer and we made an effort to not leave him one-on-one.”

Breslow starred for the Spartans this season and shined in the playoffs, including scoring twice to lead them in the semifinals.

But, Pesano said with a smile, "Another clean sheet for us."

Marlboro struggled during the spring season, the COVID-19 pandemic forcing a condensed schedule and altered practices. Still they qualified for the playoffs and that experience, the coach said, benefited his team this fall. In fact, Pesano said, he believes the Dukes could have excelled in the spring had it been a normal season.

Marlboro built on that and broke through this season, reaching the section final for the first time.

“We did it!” McAteer said. “We really did it.”

Lofaro, who also is a standout football player, led that team in its regular-season finale later Saturday. The football team will be among the favorites in its bracket next week as it pursues an eighth section title in 11 years.

The senior joked that he might wear the championship medal to the football game to fire up his teammates.

One thing’s for sure, though: There is no more sleeping on Marlboro soccer.

Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4