Blind Brook boys’ varsity soccer team defeats Briarcliff for first time in 5 years

October 16, 2024 at 11:37 p.m.

Senior captain Nico Palacios (#9) executed a perfect penalty kick during the Trojans’ home game against Briarcliff on Wednesday, Oct. 9 which gave Blind Brook the lead. Noah Brookman cemented it with another goal and the Trojans beat the Bears 2-0. (Joseph DeCarlo/Westmore News)

Following a win over Westlake on Saturday, Oct. 5 and a 7:45 a.m. practice the following day, the Trojans soccer team had arrived at their most challenging, anticipated week of the season. The week of Oct. 6-12 had the best competition the Trojans will face all season. It was not going to be an easy week, with the Pleasantville Panthers coming into town on Monday, Oct. 7 followed by the Briarcliff Bears on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The Trojans went into the Pleasantville game relatively tired and beat after a busy weekend with a game Saturday and an early practice the following day. However, knowing the magnitude of this game, they were ready. The Trojans got an early head start when, two minutes into the game, captain Nico Palacios finished a beautiful through-ball to give Blind Brook a 1-0 lead. However, the next 38 minutes remained the same and the Trojans went into the half content but unsatisfied with a 1-0 lead.

Three minutes into the second half, the Panther striker broke through the Trojan defense and buried the ball to tie the game. It was Palacios again, in the 53rd minute, who was dribbling through the Panthers defense when he was fouled in the box and awarded a penalty kick. Palacios put it through and took the lead back. Then, 17 minutes later, in the 70th minute, the Panthers were able to finish from the top of the box and tie the game. The last 10 minutes were intense but ended just like that. The Panthers robbed the Trojans of the win with 10 to go, and it was a 2-2 draw.

The Trojans met for some film the following day, to reflect and grow as well as prepare for Briarcliff the following day. After the film came some recovery, and the Trojans were ready for the Briarcliff Bears. The last time these two teams met was Saturday, Sept. 21, which ended in a 0-0 draw.

The first half came and went, with no score and relatively few scoring chances for either side. The first 22 minutes of the second half were nothing different, but the game broke open when Palacios was again fouled in the box. Another perfect pen later and the Trojans finally had the lead against Briarcliff and were 18 minutes away from victory. Nine minutes later, senior Jack Gold had the ball on the left side and crossed it to Noah Brookman to finish off the Bears by a 2-0 score.

This result was more than just a win for the Trojans—the last Blind Brook boys’ soccer win against Briarcliff happened over five years ago, and the Bears have caused trouble ever since, eliminating Blind Brook in the playoffs in the last two seasons.

Despite this exciting victory, the boys stayed grounded and continued preparation for the following week. The Trojans traveled to Valhalla on Tuesday, Oct. 15 for a 7 p.m. kickoff. They then hosted Rye Neck on Thursday, Oct. 17 to close out their home schedule. The boys will travel to Westlake on Saturday, Oct. 19 for a 1 p.m. start before their last game of the season at Pleasantville on Monday, Oct. 21 starting at 4:30 p.m.