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Late rally propels Bethpage over Plainedge
Bethpage, NY – The Bethpage Golden Eagles were looking to get back into the win column following their most recent defeat against South Side.
In a game that featured tough defense, great goaltending, and only a handful of scoring opportunities, Bethpage was able to make the most of their offensive chances to grab a 7-3 Senior Day victory over the Red Devils on Tuesday afternoon.
Ryan Mahon led the way with the hat trick and an assist. While one of the team’s honored seniors, attacker Jesse House contributed a goal and two assists. The real star in this game was goalie Eric Ritchie (15 saves) who thwarted a Plainedge offense that has averaged 11 goals per game over the last five games, which not to mention were all victories.
In the first quarter, Bethpage got on the board with a goal by Mahon, but the Red Devils responded back with two straight. However, the Golden Eagles would tie it back up at 2 with 32 seconds remaining in the opening period when House hit a wide-open Frank Camidge cutting to the net for the tally.
The score would remain knotted at two until 2:42 remaining in the third quarter when Matt Zuk gave his team back the lead. A set play where Zuk placed his body just about seven yards from net, stopped facing away, received the ball, turned and fired for the score to make it 3-2.
However, the fourth quarter was where Bethpage put this one away.
Three goals in two and a half minutes from Mahon, House, and Justin Rohr put this one on ice. House had a brilliant strike as he took a pass from Mahon 20 yards away and rocketed a shot just over the right shoulder of Plainedge goalie Mike Arnold (11 saves). Mahon would cap the scoring with half a minute left to make it a 7-3 final.
Prior to Tuesday’s contest against Bethpage, Plainedge had been rolling along with quality victories over Sewanhaka, Great Neck North, South Side, Division, and Hewlett. The leading scorer in those victories was senior midfielder R.J. Rossi, and versus Bethpage there was no change. Rossi scored all three of his team’s goals to give him 52 on the season.
With the win, Bethpage improves to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in Conference B-II, while the loss drops Plainedge to 10-5 overall and 6-2 in conference.
Next stop for these two teams? The playoffs.
Follow Bill on Twitter @MSGVBillMueller | Email him at wmueller@cablevision.com
