Lions Roar! West Islip boys soccer wins first state title in school history
West Islip's Lucas Iacono celebrates as he shows off the state championship plaque after a win over Hilton in the NYSPHSAA Class AA boys soccer championship in Middletown on Sunday. Credit: Thomas La Barbera
MIDDLETOWN — The West Islip boys soccer team’s amazing season of firsts culminated with a fantastic last.
The Lions — who won their first Long Island championship and state semifinal this season — capped the 2021 campaign with the program’s first-ever state title after a convincing 5-0 win against Hilton in the state Class AA final at Faller Field.
"We made history," said Aidan Lodie, who had a goal and an assist. "It’s just an amazing feeling."
Lodie, the Lions’ "Mr. Clutch", set up his team’s first goal when his corner kick found Brendan McMahon, whose header gave the Lions a 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute.
The junior midfielder -- who had seven winning goals and assisted five winners -- wasn’t through. He took control of a Hilton miscue near midfield and raced 50 yards before smoothly slipping in his 21st goal of the season in the 34th minute. Not bad for a player who wasn’t even at 100 percent.
"I was feeling a little sick, but once I got on the field it all went away," Lodie said. "I just go out there and play."
West Islip (20-2-1) made it 3-0 as Derek Gildard’s corner kick found the head of Jack Dellipizzi, who scored with 2:02 left in the first half.
The Lions -- to their credit -- kept the pressure on Hilton and never relented. Joey Blackton scored his 22nd goal of the season in the 58th minute off a feed from Vincent Grieco and the lead was 4-0. Noel Silva added the final goal off an assist from Nicholas Castellino with 2:40 remaining.
The West Islip coaches and players watched film of Hilton Saturday night and found a way to disrupt Hilton’s attack by not allowing them to bring the ball up from the back. The Lions utilized a high-press defense and dominated 50-50 opportunities.
"We wanted to turn it into our type of game," Lions coach Eddie Pieron said. "Where it was a little bit more about our pace and physicality."
West Islip, which struggled in the back for the first part of the season, found its shape -- especially in the playoffs. The Lions outscored their opponents, 25-5, in their seven postseason games, including 10-1 in the state semifinal and final.
Lions defenders blocked five shots in the game, and included Dellipizzi, McMahon, Gildard and Vincent Puglisi. Lucas Iacono had four saves for his seventh shutout of the season. The senior goalkeeper kissed and then clutched the state championship plaque moments after receiving it.
"Honestly, there’s no better feeling in the world," said Iacono, with a big smile. "We’ve worked all year for this, and everyone on this team deserves this."
