John Jay Falls 7-4 in Section One Final

Click Image for Rye Photos

After beating Hen Hud on Thursday May 25, top seeded John Jay had a sectional championship within their sights. In their way stood Rye, and a showdown at Yorktown High School on Tuesday, May 30 was there to settle matters. But despite not losing since a 10-4 loss to the Garnets ten games ago, the Wolves fell behind and were left chasing in defeat.

Rye scored first and held a 5-1 second period lead that would ultimately end John Jay’s season in a 7-4 loss.

The introduction to John Jay’s demise came off a pass from Tucker Hess at X. Tyler McDermott received, stepped into space, and his overhead snuck in at 11:02.

John Jay did answer back, though, and it began with a Blake O’Callaghan save. He got a piece of Charlie Stevens underhand burner, and the Wolves won a long scrum past midfield.

Luca Duva eventually got the ball, and Andrew Kiefer did the rest. He made a move on his defender, cut through two more and still seeing red in the crease, he found the net for a 1-1 game at 8:54.

A Rye penalty then gave the Wolves the chance to take the lead, and in wait of the whistle, Kiefer emerged out front. His shot bounced high, and the offense was unable to make do on the man advantage.

Rye eventually forced a turnover, and O’Callaghan was on the clock next. With McDermott contained in the corner, he found Tripp Redd at point blank, and the John Jay goalie leaped with his catcher to make the save.

Unfortunately, Jay was whistled for interference on the play, and McDermott would not be denied. The middie juked Aidan McCarthy to the ground, and his underhand shot gave the second seed the lead for good with 3:31 left in the first.

He doubled down moments later too. A long scrum going to Rye, McDermott got upfield, swung right past three defenders and went sidearm for a 3-1 lead.

At 1:47, Rye kept control on the face, and McDermott stayed on goal. But O’Callaghan caught him this time on the bounce, and the score held into the second.

An illegal stick on Rye also boded well for period two. A two minute penalty, John Jay worked the ball, and Kiefer unleashed. Ty Ramachandran was not impressed and easily collected the projectile with his catcher.

Worse yet, John Jay returned the favor by getting whistled for interference, and McDermott gladly took a breather from the scoresheet. Tanner Howson cruised from behind, and once gaining a foothold out front, he went airborne to beat O’Callaghan at 9:38.

A 4-1 game, Dom Savastano won the face. But Rye forced a turnover, and Howson went from the same jumping off point. Again, he swung out from behind, leapt and gave Rye a commanding 5-1 lead.

8:35 left in the half, the Wolves needed to score. Savastano did his part again, but Ramachandran really didn’t care. Craig Galea muscled in from the side, and the Rye goalie faced down the shot.

O’Callaghan then put on a brave one too when Howson arrived right in front of the Wolf. Snatching with his catcher, his team had life, and Duva did the breathing. The junior made some space at the 25 and went overhand for a 5-2 deficit.

3:55 left, both goalies used their catchers to keep the score status quo at intermission. Even so, the momentum went in favor of Rye when Kyle Petschek’s pass back sent the Garnets running.

Able to set up, Hess passed from X, and Stevens swung away for a 6-2 lead at 10:28. Savastano was undeterred, though, and two face-offs turned into two goals.

First Duva ran right around a pick to close within three and then the Wolves took Rye to the circus. Brendan Corelli hit Petschek in front, and with no time to adjust to the high pass, the middie went behind his head to make it a two goal game.

The defenses held sway the rest of the quarter, and 12 minutes would tell the tale. No surprise, Ramachandran was wielding the pen. After Duva shot just high on a fast break, Corelli made a perfect right to left pass in front of the goal, and Ramachandran picked Galea’s shot out of the air.

He then ran all the way up field and shot just over the crossbar. The ball to O’Callaghan, Ramachandran was soon back in his element. Kiefer took a sky hook from the right, and Ramachandran ran down his own deflection.

That left it to McDermott to complete the third act. He received the pass from behind, and with a full head of steam, there was no stopping the sophomore’s swing.

The 7-4 lead at 7:53 closed the scoring, and had Petschek reflecting on all the excitement he’s been part of. “Always appreciate the successes, but don’t sit on them, there’s alway more to come,” he clarified

The wisdom included today for the Wake Forest bound freshman. Players, coaches and mentors, he said, “I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime, and I’ve learned lessons I will always take with me,” Petschek assured.

Still here, Andrew Kiefer went full circle on his senior teammates. “The leadership they bring on and off the field and how they carry themselves,” he concluded. “I can’t thank them enough for what they’ve done for this team."