GN South, Jericho play to scoreless tie
Great Neck South #22 Hector Lasso battles for the ball against Jericho #22 Glenn Hyams. (Sept. 14, 2010) Credit: Frank Koester
The frustration was building for the Great Neck South boys soccer team. The Rebels had a plethora of scoring opportunities but couldn't convert.
Jericho had its chances in the second half and couldn't score as the teams played to a 0-0 tie Tuesday at Jericho in a non-league season opener for both teams.
Great Neck South junior Evan Savell wasn't pleased with the outcome.
"We had a lot of chances," Savell said. "We should have scored in the first half. We have a lot to improve on. We have to finish our chances. We had too many not to convert."
Savell was more exasperated because the Rebels had a strong wind at their backs.
"The first half, we had the wind and we didn't take any good shots," Great Neck South coach James Millevoi said. "We had the ball about 70 percent of the time. In the second half, both teams had their chances. It was a bad tie for us because we had the ball so much in the first half. We didn't test their goalie. The first half is where we could have put it away."
It didn't happen and that's why Jericho junior Glenn Hyams was pleased to come away with a tie.
"It was a good tie," Hyams said. "It took a while for us to get our feet under us. In the first 20 minutes, they came on strong and we held them off. Clearly, [Great Neck South] is a very good team, so to tie them gives us confidence for league play."
Jericho coach Bill Wuest concurred.
"A tie is actually good because it motivates the kids and shows what we need to work on," he said. "We played 24 people and it was good competition."
The Jayhawks also survived without two key defenders. Senior sweeper Wesley Mehr injured his back one week ago and senior Chase Reiter injured his hamstring in the first 10 minutes of the game and didn't return.
Both teams have high expectations for the season. Great Neck South hopes to contend for the Nassau Class AA title after losing in the second round last season.
"I think we're a good team," Millevoi said. "We should compete for it all. Jericho is a perennial powerhouse in Class A. We held our own with them, if not played better. I think we'll be OK."
Jericho hopes to bounce back after relinquishing a 1-0 lead in the second half of the Nassau Class A semifinals last season in a 2-1 loss to Garden City, one year after winning the county championship.
"I didn't play well and it still bothers me," Hyams said. "Last year was really tough."
