Kilmetis, Strongen combine for only goal in Hicksville's 1-0 win over Farmingdale
Hicksville's Ryan Dilorenzo, left, and Branden Mueza celebrate after their team's 1-0 win over Farmingdale in a Nassau County varsity boys soccer game. (Oct. 15, 2013) Credit: James Escher
As one of Hicksville's leading goal scorers, T.J. Kilmetis couldn't have asked for a better pass from Storm Strongen during the Comets' rivalry game with Farmingdale Tuesday.
"It was a beautiful run and a beautiful ball," Kilmetis said.
The beautiful run and beautiful ball by Strongen led to Kilmetis' team-leading eighth goal in the sixth minute of the first half in Hicksville's 1-0 win over the Dalers (7-1-3).
"I took a look at the goal and just told myself I was going to chip it in," said Kilmetis, who placed the ball beautifully up underneath the crossbar. "Once I shot it, I knew it was in."
Strongen was glad Kilmetis was able to finish because with the road win, Hicksville (8-1-2) took over sole possession of first place in Conference AA-II. "I got the ball in the middle, took it as far as I could and placed it right to T.J.," Strongen said. "He finished it. It's a huge win, very physical game."
In the two teams' earlier meeting this season, Steven Cain's goal, off an assist from Brendan Wenzel, with 15 seconds left was the difference in the Dalers' 1-0 road win.
"I thought we did not come out as well and I'm surprised by that because we had a great practice leading up to this game," Farmingdale coach Kevin Shanley said. "There were nerves a little bit. Give them credit."
The Dalers' best scoring chance came in the 49th minute, when Hicksville defender Frank Minton made a game-saving clear at the goal line to keep the Comets in front.
"I saw the play develop on the other side and I just stood on the line waiting for the ball to come to me," Minton said. "I was just at the right place at the right time. That's what it's all about. Defense wins championships."
Farmingdale's Anner Flores had several quality scoring chances off free kicks, yet couldn't find the back of the net against Hicksville's Nicholas Rodriguez, who had eight saves, as did the Dalers' Sergio Lopez.
"It's really frustrating. The last couple of games, we haven't been finishing," Flores said. "It's hard to explain."
A tie for Hicksville in this one would have been a loss, Comets coach Scott Starkey said.
"It's nice to kind of turn it around and come back on this field and get a win," Starkey said. "It was nerve-wracking, exciting and now it feels really good."
