Pena's return bolsters Uniondale in tie
Uniondale goal keeper Brandon Pena saves a shot on goal while being pressured by Hicksville 's Kyle Poetzsch in the Nassau high school boys soccer game. (Oct. 18, 2011) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Brandon Pena has spent more time in the training room than the soccer field this season. The Uniondale goalkeeper has been dealing with injuries to his right kneecap and ankle.
Pena played in only his third game Tuesday and the first in almost a month. His play showed why Uniondale has missed him. Pena made eight saves with the only goal on a penalty kick as the Knights and host Hicksville played to a 1-1 tie in non-league boys soccer.
"It's been an up-and-down season," Pena said, "but we still have time. It felt good to be back on the field. Once we're healthy, we'll be fine. It's a good tie. They're one of the strongest teams."
Uniondale (6-4-2) played the first 18 minutes without starters Nyder Chardonette, Kevin Arriola, Mauricio Martinez, Frankie Villegas and Jonathan Hernandez. Uniondale coach Cohen Nelson wanted to get some of his young players experience, and that's when Pena kept the Knights in the game.
"He was fantastic," Nelson said. "He's a major piece. He's very vocal. He reads the game well and [talks] to the back four. That's what we were missing."
Villegas gave Uniondale a 1-0 lead with eight seconds left in the first half.
"I saw the ball and made the run to the box," he said. "I controlled it and slid it into the corner. We moved the ball well. We just didn't finish some chances."
Hicksville (9-1-2), which played without top goal scorer Lucas Munoz because of some soreness, tied it when Christian Bonilla scored on a penalty kick with 21:08 left in the game.
"I was looking to the left side for the shot and hit it well," Bonilla said. "We just need to finish more. That's one of the things we need to work on. It was a good challenge."
The teams could meet again in the postseason. Uniondale made the playoffs for the first time in 15 seasons last year; Hicksville was undefeated before losing in the Nassau Class AA semifinals.
"It was a good tie," Hicksville coach Scott Starkey said. "They have four explosive players. It was a good experience for our defense."
