North Salem soccer topples Maple Hill to return to state finals

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - For the second straight year, North Salem’s boys soccer squad will be playing on the biggest stage for the top prize.

After a 5-0 win over Northern Adirondack to capture the regional championship, the Tigers took their talents to Middletown High School on Nov. 15.

Standing in their way of a return trip to the finals were Section 2 champions Maple Hill, who engaged the Tigers in a defensive struggle that left a scoreless stalemate at the half.

In the second frame, junior Juben Lazri would finally break through to put North Salem up 1-0.

And the Tigers never looked back.

Senior Aidan Santis and junior Liam Keegan would both find the back of the net to put the defending champs firmly in the driver’s seat.

Maple Hill didn’t fade without a struggle, getting on the board on a penalty kick before Lazri scored again to ice the 4-1 win.

The Tigers will look to make history and repeat as state champions when they face off against the Section 6 champion Wilson Lakemen on Sunday, Nov. 16, at 10 a.m. at Middletown High School.