East Boys Soccer Edges Out Pat-Med

After a final shot on its goal for a would-be equalizer in the last 10 seconds went just wide of the net, the Sachem East summer league boys soccer team had preserved its one-point lead for a 3-2 win over Patchogue-Medford at Centereach Park Wednesday evening, advancing the Arrows to the final round against Ward Melville (6-4 in season) and halting the Raiders' (4-4-2) postseason run.

East's Ansel Ueshiro, set up by Jason Santos, struck first in the sixth minute before teammate Nick Schook had returned it to the back of Pat-Med's net unassisted five minutes later. The Raiders, lagging in possessions but not about to surrender to a shutout, answered back at the 18-minute mark off a score by Garrett Smith.

Ueshiro's second chance, this time hooked up by Schook, chalked up another score in the first 1:30 of the second half, with the final score by Pat-Med's Steve Vaughan on an assist by Bobby Cranor with four minutes to go.

Matt Bonomini (first half) and Will Silber (second half) combined for eight saves for East. Keith Orlando, in goal for Pat-Med, made eight saves.

Looking ahead to Monday's battle with Melville, Ueshiro liked East's chances and was confident that the Arrows could pull out the final-round win, adding that his goals were byproducts of consistency and familiarity with the playing styles of his teammates.

"I had the eye contact with Jason for the setup on the first one," he said. "But me, Jason and Schook, we all work well together."

Pat-Med coach Steve Vesey said that he was proud of his team's persistence as the game went on. Talking up his team postgame in preparation for fall practices next week, he said that holding a spot in League I against squads like East, Melville and perennial powerhouse Brentwood during the normal season - where one-goal games regularly keep teams on their toes - is difficult but possible with added effort.

"They were up 2-0, and we came back," he said. "East was the better team, but I like that we fought back and kept coming back."

East will travel to Coram's Diamond in the Pines park to face Melville Monday night at 8:45 p.m.