Mattituck has done it again.
With their 3-1 victory over Rye Neck on Saturday at Diamond in the Pines, the Tuckers have for the second time in three years advanced to the Class B New York State final four.
And this time, they don’t plan on returning empty-handed.
Mattituck hasn’t won the state championship since 2003 but with how well they’ve been playing, this senior-laden group is more than capable of winning two more games.
“This was our goal when we set out this season,” head coach Mat Litchhult said. “To have the actual goal come through is great but our ultimate goal is to win two more games, though.”
Striker Kaan Ilgin got right back to doing what he’s done the entire playoffs thus far getting Mattituck on the board first with a beautiful one-time volley off a pass by Mario Arreola.
“We were the better team,” Ilgin said. “We deserved to win. We outplayed them. We scored first and then gave up a crap goal.”
The Rye Neck goal was a result of a miscommunication between the defense and the goalie and momentarily deflated the Mattituck onslaught.
“I was pretty disappointed because we rarely have troubles with communication but we responded quickly,” Litchhult said.
It wasn’t long before the Kevin Williams-James Hayes combo connected again as they have all season long. On a free kick, Hayes headed in the goal to put the Tuckers back on top.
“I don’t think there’s a better player at heading the ball in than James,” Litchhult said. “And Kevin Williams put it right on his forehead. We knew the next goal was the biggest goal to put them away.”
Mario Arreola broke his scoreless drought in the playoffs with the third goal deep in the second half. He dribbled the ball up through a few defenders, planted his foot behind the ball and curved it into the right corner from the left side.
“Strikers need to score,” Arreola said. “The last few games were tough for me because I hadn’t scored but to score and seal the game like this feels great.”
Mattituck ran over to a conglomerate of fans for a standing ovation following the game to celebrate.
“They’ve been there for us since the start,” Ilgin said. “Our fans give us the greatest support.”
The Tuckers (17-2) will travel to Middletown, N.Y. for the Class B semifinals next Saturday. They’ll face off against Skaneateles at 9:15 a.m.
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
