November 22, 2009 - As has become the pattern for the Riverhead Raptors - the boys once again rose to the occasion.  Short one player and another whose status for the game was questionable as he had four stitches in his eye - left the Raptors with exactly 11 players to start the game.  The opponent Dragons had five substitutions to work in and out of the game.  The game was played at the Half Hollow Hills East High School on their big turf field.  Initially the big field played to the Raptors advantage as they were able to control and move the ball through passion pass work.  The Raptors were able to control the game for most of the first half and took the early lead with a goal by Anthony Atunes at around the 18 minute mark. 

However, the big field and the short bench took its toll in the second half as the Raptors started to tire and the Dragons were able to break through for a goal at around the ten minute mark of the second half.  The Raptors - up one point coming in to the game had the benefit of being able to win the division with a tie while the Dragons needed to win to become division champs.  This fact was well known to all the participants and fans at the game.  The Dragons worked hard to get the winner but the Raptors stood strong the rest of the way and the game ended in a draw giving the Raptors the Division Crown.  While all the kids played tremendous - special accolades to Jean Carlo Blanco for contributing to the Raptor's stingy defense, to Ever Bonilla for his typical stellar performance and to Noah Markewitz for his Yeoman's work with four stitches on his eyelid.

 

Riverhead Soccer Club
A Not-For-Profit Organization
PO Box 1126, Riverhead, NY 11901
Phone/Fax 888-907-9998

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