Greenport boys soccer advances to Southeast Regional final

Luis Masin wasn’t going to be denied. With the final seconds ticking away in the opening half, he had the option of hanging back and preserving his energy or keep pushing on the offensive end. He picked the latter.

Masin continued fighting on a deflected ball and followed a cross toward the box. He jumped in the air and collided with the opposing goalie. But Masin got the better of the battle, knocking the ball in the back of the net for a goal to tie the score at 2 with 12 seconds left in the first half for Greenport.

The goal proved to be pivotal as Greenport defeated Loudonville Christian, 4-3, in a boys soccer state Class D subregional at Guilderland High School outside Albany on Wednesday.

“The individual effort was amazing, he got hit in the face, got the wind knocked out of him,” coach Greg Dlhopolsky said. “He really did it all on his own. But Luis has been one of our most solid players all season. He’s had huge goals all season for us. It was just a huge play.”

Greenport (5-12) advances to play Chapel Field Christian in the state Class D Southeast Regional Final at Diamond in the Pines on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Milton Veliz scored to break a tie at 3 for Greenport. He won a ball played from midfield, took a touch, turned and scored from about 15 yards out with 15 minutes left. The goal game about five minutes after Nery Cano scored on a 30-yard strike off the crossbar to tie the score at 3 for Greenport. 

“To come back against a good team was impressive,” Dlhopolsky said. “And to get that goal and be able to hold out and win was huge.”

Ricky Campos scored just inside the 18-yard box seven minutes into the contest to give Greenport a 1-0 lead. Loudonville Christian scored the following two goals before Masin’s final goal of the half.

Collin McDaniel had seven saves, including multiple impressive diving stops in the second half for Greenport.

“He just had a terrific second half in the game,” Dlhopolsky said. “He saved at least two or three shots that would have been goals and completely changed the game. He was on his toes on every play.”