Smithtown West's Season Ends One Win Short of States
Smithtown West's boys soccer team went deep into November this year, and it showed. The Bulls, fresh off a Suffolk Class AA title, traveled up to Chenango Valley High School in Binghamton on Saturday for a regional final against Vestal, and the game had about everything a fall sports fan could want. Smithtown West tied it late in the first half, grabbed a lead with just minutes to go, then watched Vestal answer with 1:39 left to force overtime. Vestal finished it off early in the extra period, winning 3-2.
The Bulls close the year at 14-4-2, a mark that reflects a team that leaned on younger players in big moments and still came within one bounce of the ball of reaching the state semifinals. Coach Nicholas Pleines pointed to that inexperience as part of the story on Saturday, but also to a group hungry to get back to this stage. A couple of Smithtown West players had big days, with one goal coming off a sharp header redirected from the goal line and another a clean strike that tied the game before half.
More on the game and the road that got the Bulls there is up on Newsday.
Fall Saturdays like this one are part of what makes a season here feel full, win or lose. If you are curious what else is happening around town, the Smithtown guide at /towns/ is worth a look.