There is being a star player and then being clutch in a big-time spot, like the playoffs, and this past week we saw both from Smithtown East's soccer team. Anthony Puleo delivered in dramatic fashion, scoring the go-ahead goal off an assist from Joe Marano with just under 50 seconds remaining in regulation to lift the 4th seeded Smithtown East Soccer team to a thrilling 2-1 victory over the #5 seed Comsewogue in the Suffolk Class AA quarterfinals on Tuesday afternoon.
The game winning goal capped off an intense back-and-forth matchup that showcased strong defense and disciplined play from both of the teams competing to advance in the playoffs. Goalkeeper Dom Sztanga anchored the Smithtown East defense, as he has all season, making five key saves to help secure the win.
Comsewogue goalkeeper Bryan Udovich also turned in a solid performance, recording three saves and keeping his team within striking distance throughout the contest. Despite their strong effort, Comsewogue saw its season come to a close with a 10-6-1 record, marking another successful campaign for the program.
For Smithtown East, the victory continues an outstanding season defined by defensive consistency and clutch performances. The Bulls have held opponents to one goal or fewer in 14 games this year, establishing themselves as one of the stingiest defenses in Suffolk County. Earlier this fall, Smithtown East also put together a seven-game winning streak, demonstrating their ability to dominate in both tight defensive battles and high-scoring affairs.
With the win, Smithtown East (11-3-3) advances to the Suffolk Class AA semifinals, where they will face No. 1 Northport on Friday at 2:15 p.m. The matchup promises to be a tough test, but with momentum on their side and a defense that has been nearly impenetrable all season, Smithtown East looks ready for the challenge.