9 Photos
The Bonackers celebrate after defeating Hauppauge, 1-0, in the Suffolk County quarterfinals on Friday. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton sophomore Eric Armijos races the ball down the sideline.
East Hampton senior Robert Velez gears up to take a shot. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton senior Matthew McGovern and a Hauppauge player get tangled up. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton senior David Ayala and a Hauppauge player battle for ball control. MICHAEL HELLER
An East Hampton player tries to play the ball while falling down. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton sophomore Eric Armijos gets pushed from behind by a Hauppauge player. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton senior Christopher Pintado and a Hauppauge player look to play the bounce. MICHAEL HELLER
East Hampton sophomore Eric Armijos and a Hauppauge player both go down to the turf. MICHAEL HELLER
The East Hampton boys soccer team took its first step toward what it is hoping will be a Suffolk County Class A title by defeating Hauppauge, 1-0, at home in the quarterfinals on Friday.
East Hampton senior Matthew McGovern headed a ball that was sent into the box by senior Nicolas Cifuentas-Diaz midway through the second half for what was the game’s only goal. Senior goalie Christopher Barahona (five saves) and the rest of Bonac’s defense held up, and East Hampton enjoyed what was its first postseason victory since 2018, when it defeated Kings Park, 1-0, in an outbracket game.
The Bonackers, seeded fourth in the county tournament, played at top-seeded Half Hollow Hills West on Wednesday in the semifinals. Hills West defeated Elwood-John Glenn, 2-1, to advance. Results of Wednesday’s game occurred too late to appear in this week’s edition of The Press, but can be found online and in next week’s edition.
East Hampton head coach Don McGovern, who’s son Matthew was the game’s only goal scorer, said it was a tight game throughout and both defenses played strong.
“Sometimes when it comes to a playoff game, it’s who makes the most of an opportunity when you get a chance. We made the most of our opportunities,” he said. “Both teams put in strong efforts, but I would say that our effort was strong enough to win. I wouldn’t say it was our best effort. We have played better.”
McGovern, who’s brother Dennis McGovern is the head coach of the Babylon boy’s team that defeated both Southampton and Center Moriches to win a Class B county title last week, said his team having not played since its last regular season game on April 6 could have led to his team not being totally on top of its game. But then again, maybe it didn’t.
“It’s a blessing, but also not a blessing, having not played in a while,” he said. “We had gotten used to playing every day and then we didn’t play, for what, 10 days? But we did have greater rest than them, so maybe we were able to last a little bit longer.”
