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It was a roller-coaster week if there ever was one for Putnam Science Academy’s soccer team.
After a deflating 5-0 loss Nov. 3 in which nothing went right, the Mustangs bounced back with a thrilling win on PKs in a tournament Nov. 6, only to turn around Nov. 7 and suffer a 2-0 loss in the championship game.
“For us, because we’re not in a league, we’re not playing for league championships and tournament titles,” said coach Ryan Dunnigan. “For us, it’s about development and college exposure and getting guys placed in the right schools. That can be hard to see a lot of times, hard to remember, especially through the losses.
“We want to win, we’re disappointed we didn’t play better and that we didn’t win, but again, I look at it too that it’s a chance to have a game on film for the kids and something we can go back and watch and learn from.”
Dunnigan challenged his team after Wednesday’s loss, and they responded nicely, jumping out to a 2-0 lead over the Long Island Slammers in the first 10 minutes Saturday on goals from Nacho Dorrego and Zach Vlachos in a tournament at Woodstock Academy. Regulation ended 2-2 and PSA won 4-3 on PKs, as Arthur Prates scored the game-winner on the last penalty kick.
The Mustangs trailed 3-2 after the third round of PKs before keeper Mateo Gularte saved the last two to give his team a chance.
“There are a lot of strategies from different keepers on PKs,” Gularte said. “Mine is to watch their hips and try to see if they open up, then it’ll go to my left, and if not them to my right. But really, at the end of the time, it’s really just luck. Just guessing right.
“It’s a really good feeling to save a PK. You get hyped because it’s a one-on-one situation. The feeling of saving a penalty, and keeping your team alive, it’s just incredible. It’s the nest feeling.”
PSA had a number of good chances to take a lead Sunday against Woodstock Academy but just couldn’t put anything home. Woodstock got behind the defense and made it 1-0 midway through the second half, then added the finishing goal with about two minutes to play and seal the win.
The Mustangs finish their season this weekend.
Boys’ Basketball
Pioneer Academy spoiled opening night for the PSA Elite boys’ basketball team, coming away with a 94-89 win, despite 20 points and nine rebounds from Lamar Watkins. After trailing by as many as 14 points in the second half, Watkins’ 3-pointer with 18.7 seconds left got the Mustangs within two points at 91-89. They would get no closer however.
Jaden Brewington finished with 20 points and nine rebounds, while Jalen Claude chipped in with 20 points and Jorge Trueba 16.
PSA looked sharper throughout its next game, Nov. 5 against Lee Academy, as Claude led five players in double figures with 21 points in a 111-55 win. Brewington had 16 points, while Watkins had 15, Glenn Manigault III finished with 11 points, and Eliomar Philips chipped in with 10 for the Mustangs.
“I loved our energy and toughness right from the start,” said PSA coach John Cavaliere. “Our guys were confident right away and it set the tone.”
By Stephen Nalbandian
Sports Information Director
Putnam Science Academy