Colts Season Ends in Penalty Kicks

The Hills West Colts traveled to Hauppauge on Tuesday for the first round of the Class AA playoffs in a battle of the 8 and 9 seeds. Throughout regulation, Hauppauge dominated much of the possession and had most of the goal scoring opportunities, but the Colts’ defense, led by senior Kory Fitzgerald and goalkeeper Hunter Goldberg held their own as the game headed into overtime, tied 0-0. Overtime brought a momentum change, as the Colts began to take over, coming inches from scoring on multiple occasions, including hitting the crossbar with just minutes remaining. However, the game went into a penalty shootout, still tied at zero. The shootout lasted 9 rounds, with goals scored by Jordan Stummer, Stephen Lauria, Ryan Tuma, Carter Hallock, John Behr, Richie Mastrangelo, Stephen Buono, and Ryan Barone. Hauppauge was able to take advantage of a Hills West miss in the ninth round, scoring on their kick, eliminating the Colts from the playoffs. It was a well played and hard fought game from the Colts, but unfortunately they came up just short of getting Hills West’s first playoff win this fall.