Pearl River Boys Soccer Halts Hen Hud

Pearl River defeated Hendrick Hudson Friday at home in a Section 1 Class A boys soccer playoff game, but the Pirates were not satisfied. 

"In the first half...we played terrible the first half," Pearl River forward Brian Chiarello said. "We had to come out in the second half and pick it up and we did. We came out and played hard and dominated."

Chiarello helped spark the Pirates with the first of his two goals late in the first half, taking a feed from Sean Coughlan and beating Hendrick Hudson goalie Michael Donato to give Pearl River a 1-0 lead.

"At the end of the first half, we played better," Pearl River Head Coach Damon O'Keefe sadi. "The ball was moving faster, which we were able to generate a goal. It was a good build-up we had to generate that goal."

"Sean played a good ball and I just finished," Chiarello said. "It wouldn't have happened without the defense."

The Pirates scored their first two goals in transition from deep in their own end. 

"The guys in the back, they've been doing this all year," O'Keefe said. "We did a good job generating transition and a nice job finishing."

Chiarello set up the Pirates second goal, which Manuel Arango scored.

"Manuel had a good run," O'Keefe said. "Brian found him. He's dangerous when he gets forward."

Aidan Datore cut the Pirates' lead in half with a goal with 28:23 remaining. The Pirates got a little more breathing room with just over 14 minutes left as Aidan Noonan scored off a corner kick, the first of two assists Vincenzo Galvano had in the game, to push the lead back to 3-1. 

Chiarello added his second goal of the game six minutes later on a feed from Galvano. 

Miguel Perez scored late for Hendrick Hudson, but the Sailors could get no closer. Pearl River goalie Pat Guerin made seven saves in the victory.

Pearl River, the No. 3 seed in the tournament, will play at home Monday against No. 6 Tappan Zee at a time to be determined. The Pirates and Dutchmen tied in both regular-season meetings.

"It's going to be a great one," O'Keefe said. "We're excited. These guys surely are excited. It's two rivals, two teams that were undefeated in our league. Now someone, unfortunately, is going to lose. Hopefully it's not us."