Seaford Boys Soccer Season Ends in Heartbreaking Fashion

The boys soccer team saw its 2011 season end in heartbreaking fashion Friday afternoon with top-seeded Valley Stream South escaping the Vikings' bid of a major upset with a 5-4 penalty kicks win in the first found of the Nassau County Class A playoffs.

Sixteenth-seeded Seaford gave the Falcons all they could handle and had a 4-1 lead in the second half thanks to three goals by Brian McHugh and tally by Ray Schaeffner. However the Falcons staged a furious comeback to force overtime and escaped with a victory when Brandon Garrett made a save in the seventh round of penalty kicks.

It was the second year in a row Seaford (5-7) had taken the top-seeded team to overtime in an opening round playoff game. Last year the Vikings fell to Manhasset 2-1 in overtime.

"This season was great, but unfortunately someone has to loose, and I don't mind it being to them," said Seaford head coach Ralph Pascarella moments after his team nearly pulled a major upset. "We're a team of hard workers, and to play a team like Valley Stream South, the number one seed, in a game like this is an accomplishment in itself."

After neither team was able to score in two overtime sessions, the game went to a shoot-out, where both teams alternate five penalty kicks. With the shoot-out tied 5-5, Valley Stream South’s Brandon Dunne scored in the seventh round and goalie Brandon Garrett stopped the ensuing kick for the win. The stands quickly cleared as the Falcons rushed the goal to jump on top of Garrett in celebration.

Valley Stream South now advances to face ninth-seeded Jericho this Tuesday.

"Seaford outplayed us in the first half,” said Valley Stream South head coach Rich Boyd. “They have a lot of character.”