The Tuckers took the title Sunday as Mattituck (19-2) defeated Beekmantown 3-0 in the Class B state championship Sunday morning at Twin Towers Middle School in Middletown, N.Y.
Kaan Ilgin told his team before the game that “if we score first, we will win.” The senior striker went goalless in the team’s 6-0 victory over Skaneatles and all that did was bring extra motivation to the all-state selection.
Ilgin was the first to score on Sunday. When Beekmantown’s goalkeeper ran at him to stop his forward progress, he simply chipped it over his head and put Mattituck in the lead with five minutes remaining in the first half.
“They defended well in the first half,” head coach Mat Litchhult said. “We scouted them yesterday and predicted we would have a tough match. I felt we were in a good spot scoring one in the first half going into halftime.”
The second half was a constant exchange of shots on goal but Mattituck’s goalkeeper, Ben Knowles, stood tall.
“We talked about preserving the lead at halftime and really understanding that these are the last 40 minutes of high school in most of our players’ careers,” Litchhult said.
With eight minutes remaining in the second half, Mattituck sealed the deal. Kevin Williams, an all-state midfielder, kicked a ball from outside the box over the keeper’s gloves. Three minutes later, Ilgin scored his second goal of the game to put them away for good.
“Pure excitement, pure joy,” Litchhult said as his players stormed the field in celebration. “Amazing victory. Great for the guys. Great for the community. A storybook ending for these guys. What a journey.”
“I’ve never felt like this before,” Ilgin said. “Winning the game in state champs in our last year. Best feeling ever. Best feeling. Best feeling.”
It was Mattituck’s first state championship since 2003 and second under the coaching of Litchhult.
SoutholdLOCAL photos by Peter Blasl
