Neil Berniker was having flashbacks, and not the good kind.
When No. 7 UNIS scored twice within the first eight minutes of the second half to draw even with second-seeded Horace Mann, all he could think about was last year’s NYSAISAA quarterfinal loss to Columbia Prep.
“I was saying, ‘No, not again,’” Berniker recalled with a laugh.
He was in a jovial mood because the Lions prevailed, 4-2 in overtime, advancing to Friday’s semifinal against rival Collegiate, the third seed.
Bernie Rawlins scored five minutes into the second 10-minute overtime period and Owen Elliott added another two minutes later. Stephen Lipton and Andrew Silberstein also scored and Toby Lee chipped in two assists.
“It would’ve been easier, I guess, to roll over and play dead, but throughout the season we had the ability to bounce back,” Berniker said. “They got back on track.”
Horace Mann (14-2-1) won its first Ivy Prep League title since 2008, but it’s hungry for more – a NYSAISAA crown. To get to the final, it will have to get by Collegiate, last year’s champion.
“I think we’re pretty evenly matched,” Berniker said. “I hope we play well, that’s all. I think the momentum will carry us into [Friday’s] game. It was a great win. They’re excited about it. They know who we’re facing [on Friday]. It’s exciting to move on to the semifinals.”
UNIS, the ACIS postseason champion, finishes the year 15-1-2.
No. 1 Rye Country Day School 1, No. 8 Lycee Francis 0 2OT: Rye Country Day (12-2-0) hosts No. 4 Poly Prep Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the semifinals.
No. 3 Collegiate 3, No. 6 Packer Collegiate 2: Anthony Evans, Rory Johnson and James Fisch each scored once for Collegiate (12-2-3), the defending NYSAISAA champion. The Dutchmen visit No. 2 Horace Mann in the semifinals Friday at 2:30 p.m. Horace Mann won the first meeting and the two teams played to a 1-all draw in the second encounter. Packer is 16-4-1.
“I think it’s gonna be a great game,” Collegiate coach Ray Voelkel said. “I’m hoping we step up to the plate. I think we’re ready.”
No. 4 Poly Prep 1, No. 5 Hackley 0 2OT: Dan Sullivan scored the match’s only goal in the 102nd minute and keeper Jack Slattery made six saves for Poly Prep (11-7-0), which visits top-seeded Rye Country Day School Friday at 2:30 p.m. in the semifinals. It was the Blue Devils’ first win in three tries over Hackley.
“It was just a great overall team effort,” Poly Prep coach Gerry Stone said. “We stuck with it.”
Stuck singled out the play of fullback Nate Johnson, who successfully man-marked Hackley star Dan Morris, a Boston College recruit.
“It’s not that he prevented him from getting the ball – because he got the ball a lot – but he prevented him from doing much going forward,” Stone said.