John Jay falls short against defending state champ North Salem

Jack Hartney gets tripped up in game against North Salem. Finn Fothergill drills a long shot. Photo by Jim MacLean.

By JIM MACLEAN 

The John Jay boys varsity soccer team knew it would be a tough test on homecoming as the Wolves hosted defending state champion North Salem on Saturday, Sept. 27, and it was a battle throughout.

John Jay was up to the challenge as the two teams were locked in a 1-1 tie at halftime, but North Salem was able to take the lead and close out a 3-1 victory with a strong second half performance.

“They’re state champions for a reason, a great first half, 1-1 tie, a good game, both teams going at it competing hard,” said John Jay coach Elliott O’Sullivan. “They’re very direct, very aggressive, great in the air, they won the battles, but I’m very proud of our effort throughout the game.”

In the first half it was Finn Fothergill providing the highlights on offense for John Jay as he scored the goal for the Wolves to finish the half tied up with the Tigers.

Fothergill almost had a second goal, but it was ruled offsides as the two teams went into the half locked in the tie.

In the second half, North Salem had a big opportunity as the Tigers were awarded a penalty shot, but John Jay goalie Marc Fein made the save to preserve the tie and fire up the Wolves.

However, North Salem responded as the Tigers took the lead midway through the second half. The Wolves moved sweeper Jeremy Walerys up to the front line to try and generate offense to try and get the equalizer, but the Tigers took advantage of the opportunity and scored another goal to wrap up the 3-1 victory.

“Finn got the goal and almost had another one, an exciting first half,” said O’Sullivan. “Jeremy gave nothing away with the twins Will and Jack Green on defense, they did a great job and Marc made that save on the penalty kick. Losing Jack in the second half was tough, but Nick Harris stepped in and played amazing.”

The loss to North Salem wrapped up an up-and-down stretch in the schedule for the Wolves as John Jay tied rival Fox Lane, then suffered a loss on the road at Hastings, and bounced back with a big 4-0 win over Ossining. Before facing North Salem, John Jay hosted Byram Hills, another tough test against a team that won a state title two years ago, and the Wolves battled to the end before suffering a 1-0 loss.

“Playing non-league games you never really know what you’re up against,” O’Sullivan explained. “Ossining was a good bounce back win, the guys are mentally getting tougher and they’re up for it.”

With the loss to North Salem, John Jay fell to 4-4-1 overall on the season. O’Sullivan hopes the Wolves are up for the challenge heading into the final weeks of the league schedule, and he says the team needs to be ready for each game from the opening whistle.

“We have seven more games, all league games, every team we play now we will have played twice and you know who is who,” admitted O’Sullivan. “Energy from the first man to the last on the bench, everyone needs to bring it and be up for it from the start. League games and then playoffs, close out September strong and October is a new month.”

John Jay was scheduled to face a tough test at home against rival Somers on Wednesday, Oct. 1, and the Wolves then hit the road traveling to Hen Hud on Saturday, Oct. 4, and then Byram Hills on Wednesday, Oct. 8.