For over 60 minutes of Friday’s opening round playoff game against Friends Academy, the Floral Park boys soccer team looked to be in complete control. The Knights were faster to the ball, more aggressive and playing with greater confidence. Senior Kyle Darden’s first-half goal provided Floral Park with a one goal lead that appeared like it might be enough to propel the team into the next round.

But this is playoff soccer. Momentum can shift with one play. And after a hand ball in the penalty area by Floral Park, Friends Academy was able to tie the score on a free kick.

“I’m not going to lie, I was extremely nervous,” said senior Jonathan Ferone.

The goal by the Quakers appeared to deflate the Knights. For the next several minutes, it was now Friends Academy who was playing with the swagger and confidence that it could advance.

“We were in a very fragile situation,” said coach Pokojny. “We played with only ten men for the final 20 minutes and our team never wavered. The thought never crossed anyone’s mind to play for a tie and possible penalty kicks. With overtime looming we were running out of time and chances.”

Fortunately for Ferone, coach Pokojny and the rest of the Floral Park team, a perfectly executed corner kick by Lorenzo Arrindell reached Luke de Armas, who headed in the game winner as the sixth-seeded Knights defeated 11th-seeded Friends Academy 2-1.

“Our coach (Mr. Pokojny) called one of our usual plays where the ball is sent to the near post,” said de Armas. “When Lorenzo signaled to kick, I knew exactly where the ball was going, and I darted to the near post.”

“We had been running corner kick balls to the near post most of the game and one of my assistant coaches (Ankur Chablani) noticed we weren’t always getting to the ball as we should,” said coach Pokojny on the most critical play of the game. “So, we called for a ball to go far post. The other team was watching Kyle Darden all day. Kyle, as well as a couple other players, went far post as did many players from Friends Academy and this gave us an opening. Luke de Armas found himself one-on-one, and ran near post, as he should. We hit a short ball and Luke beat his man, as he has been doing all season, and had a great finish to score the winning goal with three minutes left.”

The Knights may not have had the opportunity to enjoy the exciting victory had it not been for the exceptional goaltending of junior Michael Baldini. After Friends Academy tied the game, Baldini made two crucial saves, stymying the Quakers who appeared frustrated that they could not take the lead.

“I knew it was going to be a battle from that point,” said Baldini, referring to the only goal he gave up. “I knew I was going to have to make some saves, especially after we got a red card and had to play a man down. I’m just thrilled we got the win.”

“Everyone is contributing for the better of the team, and there is no bigger example of that than our winning goalkeeper, Michael Baldini,” said coach Pokojny. “He has filled in when our starting goaltender went down after the second game of the season. Without thought, he jumped in to help and our team has benefitted from this. This is just one example of many from this team.”

“Throughout the past two years, our team has been in many nail-biting situations,” said Ferone. “Our experience to be calm, cool and collected is what got us the win in the end. Overall, it was a great team effort.”

In addition to the great effort from the starters, coach Pokojny received quality minutes from several players off the bench.

“The proudest thing I can say about my team is all of the players did their job, and did it well,” said Mr. Pokojny. “This playoff win is a testament to the character of my team. They have worked very hard in the offseason and it is now paying dividends.”

But if you ask the fans from Friends Academy, it was the play of Darden that left them exasperated. He was simply too strong and too fast for the Quakers as he drew the ire of several members of the Friends Academy crowd.

“Overall they were a solid team,” said Darden, being quite sportsmanlike. “I think their fans were saying my number when I went to get the ball on the sidelines to get into my head, but it didn’t work.”

Next up for Floral Park is a rematch with third-seeded Glen Cove in the quarterfinals of the Nassau County Class A tournament. Back on September 19, the two teams played to a 2-2 tie. This time, the stakes will be much higher.

“I think we have a great chance of beating Glen Cove,” said Darden.

The game will be played on Tuesday, October 27 at 6:00 pm at Glen Cove High School.