McKenna brothers help E. Islip kick past Hills East
East Islip forward Keith McKenna (9) moves the ball toward goal as Half Hollow Hills East back Drew Marzano stays close during a Suffolk Class AA first round playoff game. (Nov. 2, 2010) Credit: George A. Faella
Eric McKenna and his brother Keith McKenna spend a lot of time in front of their house working on an offensive connection. Eric, a sophomore, has a strong arm and will throw it as far as he can and Keith, a senior, is quite the scorer.
The practice paid off Tuesday as the duo hooked up for the first goal of the game and Eric finished with three assists and Kyle Knoth scored two goals for No. 9 East Islip in a 4-0 win over host No. 8 Half Hollow Hills East in the first round of the Suffolk Class AA playoffs.
"I saw my brother open and just threw it as far as I could," Eric said. "It's probably the farthest I ever threw it. He got his head on it and put it in."
It was a key weapon for East Islip. Eric made an impressive, long throw to the far post and Keith hit it with his head to give East Islip (11-5-1) a 1-0 lead 1:25 into the game.
"I've known that since he was little, he could throw the ball across the field," Keith said. "I judged it and got my head to it. He can throw it far or a line drive. He can get it to you anywhere."
Added East Islip coach Ray Lang: "Eric has a great throw. It's instant offense. We get a head on the ball or a deflection and something good happens. Most of the games we have been successful at, he's been able to capitalize."
Bryan Maddock scored on an assist from Paul Cefalu 1:26 into the second half to give the Redmen a 2-0 lead. Cefalu made a huge play 10 minutes later when Half Hollow Hills East (12-4-1) appeared to have a breakaway, but he raced back to break it up.
Eight minutes later, Knoth scored two goals in a span of 4:35.
East Islip got its season off to a 4-4 start, losing all games by one goal, including two in overtime and one in the final 2:30. The Redmen are 7-1-1 since and will play at top-seeded and undefeated Half Hollow Hills West (16-0) at 2:30 p.m. Friday in the quarterfinals.
"It made us tougher," Knoth said. "We learned from it and got better."
