Eric Armijos’s Goal, Three Assists Propel East Hampton Boys Soccer Team to 4-0 Shutout of Sayville

Opposing soccer teams should hold their breath every time East Hampton’s Eric Armijos gets his foot on the ball.

That’s because the senior forward can seemingly outrun anyone, take down defenders and fire at will. His skills were on full display Sunday as he scored once and racked up three assists — though having even more chances late — in the East Hampton boys soccer team’s 4-0 shutout of Sayville.

Armijos’ work was even more impressive considering the circumstances, as wind and rain ripped through the Golden Flashes’ field.

Though he had a spotlight shining on him, the senior was quick to point out the effort of his fellow Bonackers.

“Through the wind and the weather we still managed to find each other, play as a team and bury our chances,” Armijos said. “We played our game and we did our job. We just have to keep pushing forward.”

Just over five minutes into the contest, Armijos had his first opportunity. After beating out four defenders at the 20-yard line, he dribbled the ball downfield to the near left corner of the goal and rocketed a cross that was tipped by Sayville goalkeeper Gavin Noone as he slid horizontally across the turf and away from the box. With just one defender in the crease rushing toward center, junior midfielder John Bustamante bulled his way up the middle and knocked the ball to his left between another defender rushing to sandwich the attempt for the early lead. At the 18:49 mark, Armijos chipped the ball up 10 yards to senior forward Jose Calderon, who with his left foot from the left corner also smacked the ball between two defenders and past a far right-reaching Noone.

“We wanted to continue to be dangerous in the attacking third, and they did that. We put balls in the back of the net,” head coach Don McGovern said. “I loved our ability to find each other under difficult circumstances, and we played our game. We aim to possess the ball and be dangerous, and we did that. The energy was outstanding.”

Senior goalkeeper Nicholas Guerrero made two of his five saves in the first half to preserve the clean sheet, with one coming after each of his Bonackers’ (9-1 overall, 7-0 in League VII) scores. And Armijos and classmate Michael Figueroa were quick to repay him for it.

In the opening minutes of the second half, both forwards blasted the ball toward the box, but Noone made three big stops before Armijos beat out a defender on his right and bolted toward the goal. He pushed the ball across the front of the cage past a diving Noone and into the far right side off an assist from Figueroa for a 3-0 advantage.

“In the second half, we looked to kill their will, and it happened,” Figueroa said. “Even going against the wind, it didn’t stop us. We played amazing out there today.”

The senior found the back of the netting soon after, with 19:10 left to play on a pass up the right side from Armijos. Fugueroa had yet another opportunity to put one away, on a header off a cross from Armijos from the left side of the goal, but the ball flew just above the box.

“We got a goal buried early in the game and that gave us a really big confidence boost. It allows us to keep pushing harder and harder like we did in the second half,” Figueroa said. “I’m very confident in this team and I’m really proud of us. I think we can cause some damage.”

The Bonackers defense also outrivaled its opponent’s, never letting the ball stay in the back end for too long and letting up attempts solely off corner and penalty kicks.

“Our defense played lights out today — being able to lock down any attacking threat they had,” Figueroa said. “They cleared the ball up — made passes out the back. Possession in the back was great today, too. I have to give it to them — they were solid.”

The senior said his team has also played more relaxed for a number of reasons, like having already clinched a playoff spot with three league games left to play and how close he and his teammates have become.

“It’s one big family,” Figueroa said. “We’re brothers. We’re always there for each other and I’m just happy to be part of this group.”

The head coach said he’s seen it, too.

“The team has come together in such a tremendous way,” McGovern said. “We’re where we want to be at this stage in the season. Now, we just want to keep building every game and every day in practice.”

East Hampton hosts Eastport-South Manor Friday, October 7, at 3:30 p.m., before hosting Rocky Point on October 12 and traveling to Westhampton Beach on October 15 for the final game of the regular season. Armijos said no matter who the opponent is down the stretch, his team will be ready.

“There’s still a lot of work to do, but as the days go by, we keep on progressing and getting better and better,” Armijos said. “This team is heading down the right path, and others better watch out.”