By JIM MACLEAN
Fox Lane was on a mission. The Foxes wanted to send a message, and they did with an explosive start on their way to a big victory over host Yorktown on Sept. 14, to win the Yorktown Tournament title.
The fast start led to a 3-2 win for Fox Lane over a very good Yorktown team as the Foxes improved to 3-1 overall on the season. Fox Lane had started the week with a win over Pelham in the first round of the tournament, but then the Foxes suffered a 4-1 loss to Mahopac on Thursday, so they were determined to bounce back strong in the finals against Yorktown.
Fox Lane came out flying and jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first 10 minutes of the game and held a 3-1 lead at the half. The defense did the job in the second half with Yorktown scoring with just 30 seconds left to play as Fox Lane held on for the victory.
“We had a tough week with three games against three really good opponents. They played with good energy, a good effort, and I’m really proud of the boys today,” said Fox Lane coach Mike Tomassi. “They were disappointed how they played against Mahopac, and that showed today, they came out with a lot more passion. It’s a work in progress, just trying to get better every game, and I think this team can be really good.”
Fox Lane sent a message early as Kenny Mejia-Lopez scored an early goal to give the Foxes a 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later it was 2-0 as Daniel Troksi scored for the Foxes with 33 minutes left to play in the first half.
After Yorktown scored to cut the lead down to 2-1, Fox Lane responded with more pressure and intensity, capped off with a goal by Fredy Contreras as he headed the ball in off a cross from Gavin Morales to make it 3-1.
The second half was up to the defense to hold strong and it did the job as Eli Daglio played the first half in goal and Drew Bagley played the second half to combine for the win.
Mejia-Lopez was named MVP for the tournament as he dominated the action at midfield for the Foxes. Mejia-Lopez and the Foxes knew Yorktown was a tough team and they had to come out strong and play well against their rival.
“Yorktown is a tough squad, we came here and had to show who we are. We tried to fight our hardest. This year we have a good squad and we want to go far and we’re ready.”
Tomassi admits having Mejia-Lopez back for his senior year adds a big weapon to the Fox Lane lineup as he earned his MVP trophy.
“It’s a shame that the secret is out. He played Academy the last two years and came back for his senior year, and people are finding out he is one of the best players in the section. He’s that good. He changes us, he makes a lot of big plays for us, and today was his best game overall.”
Tomassi also points out that Mejia-Lopez is not the only one playing well for the Foxes. It took a team effort to defeat a team like Yorktown, and Tomassi likes what he sees from his lineup all across the field.
“We’re deep, we’re young, we’re motivated and slowly building for the playoffs,” Tomassi said. “Contreras and Morales were great tonight. Defensively we have a lot of returners and Troksi, Hannes Fernqvist and Connor Cox all played fantastic and were steady all game, and we have two really good goalies. I’m proud of the whole group. They executed very well tonight, a nice win.”
Left to right, Fredy Contreras makes his move upfield for the Foxes. Connor Cox clears on defense for the Foxes in win over Yorktown.