Sloppy yet efficient were the Blue Waves on Thursday afternoon at Longwood High School as they captured their fifth consecutive victory beating the Longwood Lions 10-2.
“It feels great,” said Riverhead head coach Victor Guadagnino of the winning streak. “We’re really coming together but today was very ugly because of Longwood’s chippy ways.”
Longwood (1-4 Division I, 1-6 overall) played physically, challenging the Blue Waves to play a more aggressive type of defense. The Blue Waves, up for the challenge, payed for their transgressions playing man down 11 different times.
“The aggressiveness we had on defense caused a lot of penalties,” said Guadagnino. “I don’t think the refs really saw it evenly but you have to live with that.”
A stingy, punishing Blue Waves defense led by junior Mike Van Bommel only gave up one goal while man down. Bodies were flying all over the place and Longwood rarely made it into the crease.
“It was just a great defensive day,” said Guadagnino. “Great job by our goalie, Alex Panagakos, he was just stupendous in goal today.”
Panagakos deflected shot after shot recording 17 saves. None more spectacular than his save on Longwood’s Tom Hughes early in the first quarter. As Panagakos left the net briefly, Riverhead committed a turnover and Hughes had a wide open net. In a flash, Panagakos dove in front of the goal and the ball hit off his chest earning a wave of oohs and aahs from the spectators. Longwood was held scoreless up until the 4th quarter.
“Our team defense is really clicking,” said Guadagnino. “We have really good speed and physicality. We’re not letting teams to get inside on us and it’s keeping our goals allowed down. Alex is good enough to handle all the shots from the outside.”
Riverhead (4-1 Division I, 6-1 overall) displayed terrific fluidity on offense giving way to 33 shot opportunities.
“As the season progresses, Coach Pepe keeps putting new things in on offense,” said Guadagnino. “Our shot numbers keep going up each game. If we could stop hitting the goalie in the belly, that would be a good thing. But we’re averaging 12 goals a game and that’s a positive.”
Ryan Bitzer and Dan Czelatka registered four points each, scoring two goals and recording two assists. The duo was all over the field making the right decision time after time.
Ryan Hubbard scored three goals bringing his season total to a team-leading 25. After getting knocked off his feet one possession, Hubbard kept hold of the ball and jumped back up, cutting through the defenders before hitting top left for a goal.
“Hubbard’s a tough kid,” said Guadagnino. “He just plays hard. He only knows how to play one way and that is to go out and give it 110 percent. How do you not love that?”
Guadagnino says that the upcoming games will be a real test. Riverhead plays Half Hollow Hills West (4-1) in an away game on Monday at 4 p.m.
“Even though we’ve only given up two goals in each of the last four games, we still need to improve to be able to maintain,” said Guadagnino. “And that’s what practice is for.”
RiverheadLOCAL photos by Michael Hejmej
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