Rhinebeck’s goalie, Spencer Hutchins deflects the ball away from Spackenkill’s Travis Klipp during Thursday’s game in Rhinebeck.
Rhinebeck’s Andrew Tyson and Spackenkill’s Travis Klipp go up for a header during Thursday’s game in Rhinebeck.
Rhinebeck’s Walter Gadsby block’s a shot from Spackenkill’s Chris Stamper during Thursday’s game in Rhinebeck.
Rhinebeck’s Ryan Euell dribbles ahead of Spackenkill’s Gaetano Citera during Thursday’s game in Rhinebeck.
Ryan Euell is seemingly always two steps ahead. He surveys the game, analyzing his opponents’ moves, determining how each piece affects the next as he plans his counter.
Then… checkmate!
The senior scored twice on Thursday, leading host Rhinebeck over Spackenkill High School, 3-1, in boys soccer.
As Andrew Tyson lofted a pass from the right side over the defense, Euell anticipated where it would land. The striker perfectly timed his run, shooting up the center of the field in time to meet the descending ball. And, playing it with one touch, he booted in from 6 yards to give Rhinebeck a 2-0 lead in the 48th minute.
“Ryan has a lot of great qualities,” Hawks coach Justin Wiesenthal said. “He’s a leader, he’s smart, fast, has technical skills and great vision. He reads the action so well.”
Tyson put the Hawks on the board six minutes into the match. Euell’s penalty kick created the final margin in the waning minutes and Spencer Hutchins made three saves for Rhinebeck (12-2).
Andrew Moreira scored in the 73rd minute and Ryan Espinoza had two saves for Spackenkill (11-3).
Wiesenthal lauded his defense for its containing the Spartans potent attack. Sweeper Quinn Graziano, backs Kevin Lyons and Chris Cassens, and stopper Walter Gadsby did an “excellent job of limiting Spackenkill’s shots,” the coach said.
The teams square off again at 7 p.m. Tuesday in a Mid-Hudson Athletic League semifinal at Hyde Park’s Franklin D. Roosevelt High School. The other semifinal at 5 p.m. pits Red Hook against either Wallkill or Roosevelt. Roosevelt and Wallkill will face each other in a one-game playoff to determine which team is going to the MHAL semifinals. The date, time and location of the one-game playoff have yet to be determined.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4826, Twitter: @StephenHaynes4