Justin Cebollero replaces injured Ryan Nigro to help Commack advance to Class AA final
Commack's Justin Cebollero, center, is overcome with emotion after Commack topped North Babylon in the Suffolk Class AA semifinal on Monday, Nov. 3, 2014. Credit: Patrick E. McCarthy
It was about midway through the first half when Commack goalie Ryan Sinnott became worried.
That was when Ryan Nigro, Commack's defensive whiz whom players and coaches call the "honey badger," suffered an upper-body injury. It was deemed right after that the Cougars would have to play the rest of the semifinal without him.
Uh-oh.
But then Sinnott started hearing the voice of forward Justin Cebollero, who has scored 17 goals this season. Cebollero moved to center back and replaced Nigro.
Order was maintained. Commack's defense remained rock-solid. A playoff win was sealed.
Cebollero played the role of unlikely defensive leader as host No. 2 Commack beat No. 6 North Babylon, 2-0, Monday in a Suffolk Class AA semifinal.
Commack (16-1-1) will face No. 4 Whitman (15-3-3) in the county final at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Dowling Sports Complex in Shirley.
"We couldn't have had anyone else but Cebollero replace Ryan," Sinnott said. "I don't think anyone else could have done that on our team. It wasn't as big of an impact as I thought it would be. Cebollero did a great job filling in."
As soon as Nigro went down, Commack coach Dave Viegas asked Cebollero to switch positions. At the time of Nigro's injury, Commack already had a 2-0 lead, which made the decision easier, Viegas said.
"Justin is our guy," Viegas said. "We're lucky that we got two in early and figured we would put our best player in the back to lock things down."
On his first play on the defensive side, Cebollero made a swift tackle against Ryan Innes, North Babylon's top scorer, and forced a takeaway.
"I love playing anywhere," said Cebollero, who plays center back on his club team. "I felt like we dominated in the back the rest of the game after Nigro left. No matter what position I play on the field, I want to make it our best."
Gene Sicoli scored the first goal from 15 yards in the 13th minute. Four minutes later, Vincenzo Diliberti scored near the net off a rebound from a shot by Cebollero.
"As soon as we all woke up today, we told each other we would make our dream a reality," Sicoli said. "We're doing that now and it's surreal."
North Babylon (15-2-1) had some scoring opportunities late, but Sinnott (seven saves) made several stops, and defender Peter Brennan made a few pivotal clears. And in the middle of it all was Cebollero, who directed the defense as if he had been doing it all season.
"There was a little bit of worry," Sinnott said, "until Cebollero settled me down."
