Old Westbury, NY – Shawn Holland’s back-to-back goals early in the first half led the Old Westbury Panthers to a 2-1 win over City Tech this afternoon at Panther Park. Old Westbury improves to 4-5 on the season.
The game-winner came just 36 seconds after Holland’s first goal, tallied at the 3:09 mark of the first half. A cross from the far side of the field led to a scramble in front of the City Tech goal and Ragi Burton was able to control the ball and chip it to Holland on the right side of the goal mouth. Holland scored with a header behind the keeper for the 1-0 Old Westbury edge.
Moments later, Holland picked the ball up from just over the midfield line, beat the final Yellow Jacket defender and set himself up for a one-on-one with Jairo Pena, City Tech’s keeper. Holland scored on the play, giving Old Westbury a 2-0 lead with 86 minutes of action remaining.
City Tech came out attacking in the second half, and Shane Ellis nearly put the Yellow Jackets on the board twice in the early minutes. Five minutes into the half, Ellis blasted a shot from 10-yards out, but an outstretched Brian Hicks got his fist on the ball and sent it over the crossbar, keeping the Yellow Jackets at bay. Seven minutes later, Ellis once again forced Hicks off his feet, this time on a one-on-one with Hicks once again prevailing.
At the 65:42 mark, the Yellow Jackets connected, as Daniel Rendon and Richar Lopez teamed up for a shot from three-yards out that beat Hicks in the net. Old Westbury would keep City Tech off the board for the remainder of the game.
The Panthers had an opportunity to score an insurance goal in the 82nd minute, but fired the penalty kick wide.
Hicks finished with six saves in the net for the Panthers.
Old Westbury returns to Skyline Conference action at home on Saturday against Stevens. Kickoff at Panther Park is at 1:00 pm.