Whenever Horace Mann and Poly Prep meet there is always a feeling that one goal will be enough for victory.
That was again the case in the teams’ first meeting this season, a 1-0 Horace Mann victory.
The Lions scored when senior Max Fikke found the back of the net from less than five-yards out off a 20-yard free kick from Hill Wyrough with 15 minutes remaining in the game. The Bronx School won both regular season meetings last year before falling to the Blue Demons, 1-0, in the NYSAIS state final.
“When we play with them we know it is going to be a game of hopefully no one makes a mistake, but there just happened to be a good scoring opportunity when we did score,” Horace Mann coach Neil Berniker said.
The winner came from a familiar source in Fikke. He led the team last season with 20 goals.
“He is a very talented player,” Berniker said. “He can read the plays. He moves to the ball well and he controls it very well. He can be very creative.”
The coach praised his defense for its play so far this season. The Lions have given up just one goal in the team’s three league games, all wins, in front of junior goalie Matt Citak, a converted defender. He made eight saves, including two on shots from inside the box. Poly Prep’s best chance came early in the first half, with the game still scoreless, off a rebound. The defense was able to eventually clear the ball away to end the threat.
“He has been outstanding,” Berniker said of Citak.
Horace Mann, which has won the Ivy League title the last two seasons, was happy with the win. But the Lions know the road to another division crown and a return trip to the NYSAIS state final is a long one. Plus, they will likely have to contend with the Blue Devils again.
“The league is very tough,” Berniker said. “Poly has been a very difficult team. We know when we play them we are in for a ball game.”