Old Westbury, NY – Shawn Holland scored the game-winner tonight as the Old Westbury Panthers beat Hunter 4-2 under the lights at Panther Park. Old Westbury improves to 3-4 on the season, while Hunter falls to 1-6.
Old Westbury got on the board in the first ten minutes of action, as Brandon DeNoyer sent a rebound that had bounced off the Hunter keeper into the back of the net. 45 seconds later, the Panthers were awarded a corner kick and John Senatore served the ball into the goal mouth. DeNoyer was once again in front of the net, but this time flicked the ball to Donald Santoro, who scored to the left side of the net for the 2-0 Old Westbury lead.
The Hawks’ best chance in the first half came with 17 minutes remaining, as David Lovercheck launched a free kick toward the goal, but Old Westbury keeper Brian Hicks was there for the save.
Holland’s game-winner came at the 49:24 mark of the second half. Senatore once again served a corner kick into the box, this time Hunter’s keeper, Nisim Schakov, deflected the ball back into play. Holland was waiting and sent the would-be deciding goal into the net.
Old Westbury tallied its fourth-straight goal at the 75:16 mark when Sandro Chiaritti scored on a chip shot from 15-yards out into an open net. Moments earlier, DeNoyer sent a cross from the left side of the field, forcing Schakov out of the net. Schakov misplayed the ball, leaving the net wide open for Chiaritti’s shot.
The Hawks forged a late comeback with several attempts toward the Old Westbury goal, as the Panthers played down one man due to a red card issued to Senatore. With Bryan Smith now between the pipes for the Panthers, Hunter was awarded a penalty kick after a foul in front of the net. Lovercheck set up and scored to the right side of the net, making the score 4-1 with 8:33 remaining in the game. Just over one minute later, an Old Westbury defender was charged with another foul in the box and Lovercheck converted the penalty kick for the 4-2 final score.
Old Westbury will return to action on Saturday when it hosts Manhattanville at 1:00 pm.