Carle Place boys soccer falls in Class B state regional final

Senior captain Tommy Venezia said the Carle Place soccer team exceeded all expectations this season, capping its improbable run with an upset victory over Babylon in the Long Island championship game on Tuesday.

The Frogs fell 3-0 in the boys soccer Class B state regional final against to Our Lady of Lourdes at Beacon High School on Saturday, ending their season and the nine seniors’ high school careers.

“Before the game, we had a conversation with the team about how there’s nothing to lose, basically,” Venezia said. “We were counted out throughout the entire season. We were counted out through the entire playoffs. So, nothing to lose mindset.”

Throughout the first half, both teams had a few chances, but the Warriors capitalized first with 1:30 left in the first half. With the wind blowing on the Warriors’ backs, what was supposed to be a cross turned into a goal to put Our Lady of Lourdes up 1-0 at halftime.

Our Lady of Lourdes scored again early in the second half and tacked on one more via a free kick with 20 minutes left in the second half.

“I think we just had three little lapses," Carle Place head coach Conor Reardon said, "and they were able to take advantage of all three of those.”

Despite walking off the field for the final time in a Carle Place uniform, Venezia is excited for the eight juniors to continue the program’s success of winning five straight and 9-of-the-last-11 Nassau county championships.

“I think definitely what [this game] has taught them is that sometimes you work your hardest and you don’t get the outcome that you want,” Venezia said. “We played hard throughout the entire season, the whole playoffs, and we didn’t get the win today. But we have to move forward.”