Aidan Kolbe's goal in double overtime lifts Northport boys soccer over Smithtown West
Aidan Kolbe of Northport celebrates his double overtime game winning goal during a Suffolk High School boys soccer game on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 in Northport. Credit: Dawn McCormick
It may have taken 95 minutes of game time, but Aidan Kolbe’s 11th goal of the season was golden.
The senior was able to pull a pass down from Travis Scandalis in traffic and ultimately touch a score into the back of the net from 7 yards. Kolbe’s heroics gave the Northport Tigers a 1-0 victory over the Smithtown West Bulls in double overtime, on Tuesday evening in Suffolk I boys soccer.
“He (Scandalis) played it in the air to me and I was able to pull it down,” Kolbe said. “I did see two defenders coming at me, but I beat one, the goalie came out and I was able to take a touch into the back of the net.”
That shot into the back of the net seemed as if it may never come, as the Smithtown West defense seemed to have an answer for every Northport attack despite being down a player after a red card in the 45th minute.
“They played so well, you couldn’t even tell they were a man down,” coach Don Strasser said. “They really clamped down in the back and I give them kudos, they played phenomenally.”
Smithtown West (7-3-1) goalie Landon Schneider made seven saves, including a key one in the 64th minute when he leapt to knock down a shot and scrambled to dive on it right before the line. His counterpart on Northport (8-4-1), Tommy Pace, played a big role in his team’s victory, making 14 saves including a leaping stop in the first overtime.
It is no coincidence that this defensive battle was extremely physical. There was a total of eight cards given out by officials and numerous more foul calls.
“We knew going in that this is a hard conference, and every team is physical,” Strasser said. “Both teams were equally physical today and we battled, it was just a great Northport-Smithtown West game.”
That physicality played right into the hands of Kolbe, whose size and strength were on display all game. He was involved in the play that got Smithtown West its first yellow card and a collision at midfield that had fans in the stands clamoring for another.
“My physicality definitely helps, it allows me to beat defenders one-on-one,” Kolbe said. “Being physical and strong gives me that boost to get ahead of defenders and just make things easier.”
Christopher Matias covers high school sports for Newsday after spending time in Athletic Facilities and Operation at St. John’s and in Sports Information at CUNY York college.
