Eric Lebowitz was at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta for both boys semifinals. He’ll stay over tonight since Byram Hills won and watch their title game tomorrow.  Here’s what he had to say:

“I got up nice and early to go watch Byram Hills play Sayville for the right to play in the Class A final this morning.

Byram Hills fell behind 1-0 early, but they didn’t panic and scored the game-tying goal minutes later. Coach Matt Allen and senior captain Stephen Paresi both pointed to the fact that the Bobcats had trailed in numerous games throughout the playoffs and were therefore able to stay calm in today’s game.

     I was particularly impressed with Paresi’s play. Coming into the game I almost expected to see Section 1 MVP Will Ogden do something big, because, after all, he is the Section MVP.

     Odgen didn’t disappoint, as he scored the game-winner in the second half. But Paresi’s ability to control and distribute the ball, especially in the first hall, was remarkable. I was watching the game with a reporter from Newsday who remarked that Paresi’s first half was the best half he had seen any player have all season.

     Everyone I spoke to from Byram Hills talked about wanting to get back to the state final, and win it, after losing the game last year. Obviously setting the goal of winning a state championship before the season leaves a lot of room to be disappointed in anything less, but now the Bobcats are just one game away from the title.

     I’m still trying to figure out how Blind Brook lost its game. It’s not that the team played badly. In fact, the Trojans dominated most of the game.

     They held a 1-0 lead until midway through the second half, and they certainly could have had more than just that one goal. I don’t think Blind Brook ever expected to give up a goal, and when it happened they seemed a little shell-shocked. I should also mention a fantastic save senior goalie Harris Brett made in the first half, diving to his left to deflect a shot wide. That was probably Marathon’s best chance up until it scored the equalizer.

     When I called a newspaper in Ithaca to do some advance scouting on Marathon before heading up to Oneonta, a reporter told me the Section 4 champs had a midfielder named Eric Gofgosky who wasn’t necessarily a star player, but had a knack for scoring big goals.

     Lo and behold, Gofgosky scores a golden goal just 38 seconds into overtime, ending Blind Brook’s season.”