The Pearl River ice hockey team lost its top two scorers from 2011-12 to graduation, but the Pirates expected to score plenty of goals this season.
Pearl River did that in Friday's home opener against Horace Greeley at Sport-O-Rama, but it wasn't enough as the defense faltered in a 7-5 loss. The biggest breakdowns came around the first intermission, with the Pirates giving up one goal just before the end of the first period and three in the first 3:28 of the second.
"We have to do a better job in our own end. That really hurt us," Pearl River Head Coach Tony Capone said. "We have a could of freshmen back there, but they weren't the guys at fault on those particular plays. It's something we have to work on in practice. We have to lear from this and get better."
The Pirates also have a new goaltender, senior Kyle Lakowski, though he did start three games last season and won them all. He stopped 28 of 35 shots Friday.
"He can do it. No doubt about it," Capone said. "A couple of plays, he was left out to dry (tonight)."
Senior Shane Ocasal, a transfer from Don Bosco Prep, made a fast impact with two goals Friday. Sophomore Kevin Murphy scored a goal and asisted on two more for Pearl River (0-1).
The Pirates' next game is Friday 9:15 p.m. at Sport-O-Rama against Nyack/Tappan Zee.
The Pearl River wrestling team opened at the Kingston Tournament Saturday and Sunday and will compete at home for the first time this season 4:15 p.m. Tuesday against Port Chester.
The Pearl River boys basketball will play its first game on the road Tuesday, 6 p.m. at Suffern. Check back with Patch later today for more on the Pirates' outlook for a team with two returning starters.
The Pearl River girls basketball team will not open its season until their first-round contest in the Queen of The Court Tournament at White Plains High School Saturday, Nov. 8.
The Pirates' indoor track and field teams start running 9 a.mn. Sunday in the Kick Off Meet at the Armory.
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Coaches, parents and other followers of Pearl River athletics, please send scores and information to ryan.buncher@patch.com or upload your pictures directly to stories about games as they are posted on Pearl River Patch.
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