Amityville wins first Long Island boys soccer title in school history
Amityville's Rolman Guardado celebrates the winning goal during the Long Island Class A boys soccer final at Farmingdale State College on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2015. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
Amid the celebration, the confetti, the euphoria of the moment, Rolman Guardado hardly had time to gather his thoughts. When the Amityville freshman finally had a chance to replay what had just occurred -- his double-overtime goal gave the Warriors boys soccer team its first Long Island title -- he struggled to find the appropriate words. Instead, he pointed to his heart.
"It's going to stay right here for the rest of my life," Guardado said.
Amityville's 1-0 win over Floral Park (12-2-4) in the Class A championship game at Farmingdale State Sunday seemed destined for penalty kicks. Both teams' goalkeepers, Kevin Ramirez (Amityville) and Michael Baldini (Floral Park), were rock walls in net. But in the 99th minute, Ernesto Gomez got in open space and sent a through ball to Guardado, who received it just outside the 18-yard box. After one touch, he fired from the right side, taking aim at the far post. The low shot got past Baldini, sending Amityville (15-5) into hysteria and the history books.
The significance of the happening was not lost on Guardado. "It's unexplainable. You can't put it into words," he said. "As a freshman, to win it for your team, for the first time . . . Unbelievable."
It was only the third goal of the season for Guardado.
"He has a tremendous amount of potential," coach Mike Abbondondolo said. "Tremendous goal, tremendous moment and he's also a tremendous kid."
On Thursday, the Warriors' 3-0 win over Harborfields clinched their first Suffolk title since 1980. Sunday's title topped that by a little.
"It's the best thing that ever happened in my life," Gomez said.
There was no way Amityville was losing this one in regulation, not with the way Ramirez was playing. The 6-6 goalkeeper made seven saves, with each one seemingly more impressive than the previous.
"He came up big again, another shutout," Abbondondolo said. "A shutout in the county final and a shutout in the Long Island final. It's a pretty good run for him."
Just 51/2 miles from Amityville High School, Farmingdale State felt like home field for the Warriors, thanks to the atmosphere created by the rabid Amityville fans. After it was over, the players ran over to the stands to show their appreciation.
"That was the best feeling," Ramirez said. "We're going to states. It's not an everyday thing."
Now, the only question is if those fans will follow the team to Middletown High School, where Amityville will face Grand Island in a state semifinal at 11:15 a.m. Saturday.
"Hopefully," Ramirez said with a smile, "they come with us."
