Few coaches are happy about losing a two-goal lead, especially in the second half. But St. Francis Prep boys soccer coach Franco Purificato was thrilled with a 2-2 draw against Archbishop Molloy Thursday afternoon at Alley Pond Park.
“It was a really even game and I’m very happy because we stayed with them the whole game,” Purificato said, referring to the defending CHSAA Class A intersectional champions. “Both teams played awesome. There are a lot of positives I can draw from it.”
After a scoreless first half, Daniel Begonja scored a pair of goals in a three-minute span early in the second half and St. Francis Prep (1-0-1 Brooklyn/Queens) had stunned the Stanners.
But Molloy (1-0-1 Brooklyn/Queens), the No. 1 team in The Post New York City soccer rankings roared back. Greg Davis scored his second goal of the year and then sent a perfect cross to the back post where Glenn Whelan headed in the equalizer midway through the second half.
Xaverian 4, Holy Cross 1: Julian Morelli, Mike Pappalardi, Mike Marando and Xavier Jimenez scored for Xaverian (1-1-0 Brooklyn/Queens) at Verrazano Narrows Complex in Brooklyn Thursday. Holy Cross dropped to 0-2-0.
Salesian 7, St. Raymond’s 0: Sebastian Zambrano had two goals and three assists, Miguel Gallardo had two goals and one assist and Nick Camacho made nine saves for Salesian in both team’s CHSAA Class B opener Thursday in White Plains.
St. Joseph by the Sea 4, Susan Wagner 1: Vito Coladonato netted a hat trick and Pier Raimondi added a goal for Sea in a SIHSSL game Thursday in Huguenot. Noman Ahmad scored the lone goal for Wagner.
OTHER SCORES
Iona Prep 4, Regis 0.
