John Jay soccer falls to Panas in sectional thriller

CROSS RIVER, N.Y. - After upsetting Roosevelt in the first round of the Sectionals, John Jay hit the road again hoping to continue its postseason run against Panas. The matchup turned into a furious back-and-forth battle, but a decisive six-minute stretch in the second half ultimately told the tale.

John Jay tied the score at 1–1 in the 37th minute, took the lead just two minutes later, and then watched Panas reclaim control with two quick strikes en route to a 4–2 victory.

The opening half featured plenty of chances on both ends. Around the 32-minute mark, Ryan Ramirez’s throw-in found Sagi Ohana, who chest-trapped and fired just wide. Minutes later, Panas nearly broke through when Cristiano Ferreira sent a pass ahead to Elvis Merchan, but goalkeeper Marc Fein slid out and cleared the rebound to safety.

John Jay came within inches of scoring midway through the half. Dennis Galvan fought to keep a ball in play along the sideline and sent a perfect cross through the crease, but Finn Fothergill’s header attempt sailed just high.

Panas answered with pressure of its own, keeping the ball deep in the John Jay zone, but the Wolves’ defense held firm. Ramirez nearly broke the deadlock at 12 minutes, beating a double team and forcing a save that led to a Galvan follow-up shot just over the bar.

At the nine-minute mark, Ramirez again set up an opportunity, connecting with Porter Bysshe off a throw-in, but the attempt went just wide. The breakthrough finally came for Panas with 3:11 left in the half. Off an errant throw-in, Liam Muller headed the ball toward the middle, where Juan Carlos Ortiz pounced and slotted home for a 1–0 Rebels lead.

John Jay came out strong after halftime, quickly drawing level. Ramirez sparked the offense again, threading a pass to Alex Bond, whose shot just missed over the bar. Moments later, Bysshe stole possession, weaved through the defense, and tucked one past Panas goalkeeper Frank Medico to even the score at 37:51.

The Wolves stayed hot, and Ramirez was once again at the center of the action. He hustled to save a ball near the sideline and whipped a perfect cross through two defenders. Bysshe’s shot was blocked, but Fothergill was there to bury the rebound, giving John Jay a 2–1 lead at 34:59.

Panas quickly struck back. A throw-in led to chaos in front, and Robert Perez’s blind back pass found Muller, who tapped it home. The play was later ruled an own goal off a John Jay deflection, but either way, the Rebels were level again.

Just 31 seconds later, Panas went ahead for good. Ortiz rose to meet a throw-in and sent a looping header over Fein’s outstretched hand, putting the Rebels up 3–2 with 32 minutes remaining.

Panas didn’t sit back after taking the lead, continuing to press and control possession. John Jay couldn’t find another opening, and with 25 seconds left, the Rebels sealed the win on a penalty kick, ending the Wolves’ postseason run in heartbreaking fashion.