Academy Kick Off NPSL Season On Wrong Foot

The Long Island Academy found a mountain too high to climb as they lost to the New Hampshire Mountaineers, 3-0, in front of their soggy fans at the home opener at Mitchel Athletic Complex tonight. The new-look Academy, minus original players and long-time professionals Billy Gatti, Chris Giuffrida and Danny Leon, started their new era inauspiciously by getting shut out for the first time in nearly a year.

In the 24th minute, New Hampshire forward Jon Harris dribbled 60 yards past three Academy defenders but his shot was saved by Long Island keeper Brendan Lafferty. It was a sign of things to come as the Mountaineers dominated the last 15 minutes of the first half and scored in the 41st minute when Harris tapped in a Harris Smirko assist that rolled diagonally across the slick penalty area.

The Academy started off on the right foot in the second half but Shaun Higgins’ 7-yard shot was cleared off the goal line by New Hampshire defender Richard Kentish after keeper Ben Berube bobbled the ball. As Long Island searched for the tying goal, in the 71st minute, New Hampshire’s Adrian Scaippas crossed the ball to an unmarked Smirko who made it 2-0 New Hampshire with a goal from six yards.

Nick Papamichael then came on as a New Hampshire substitute in the 75th minute and scored a minute later on his first touch of the game off a pass from Evan Burocas.

Academy keeper Lafferty made one save while his New Hampshire counterpart Berube made two saves in the very wet conditions.

The home stand continues for the Academy this Thursday night, May 20 at Mitchel Athletic Complex with a 7 pm National Premier Soccer League encounter with the Boston Tea Men. Their next NPSL match is on Wednesday, May 26, 7 pm vs. the Red Bulls at Adelphi University.