Luke Ruggerio's OT goal leads Smithtown Christian boys soccer to Southeast Regional Class D crown
Smithtown Christian's David Wagner, left, and Ishmael Nieves Sorto, center, celebrate with teammates after defeating Chapel Field Christian in overtime of the state Class D boys soccer regional final at Harborfields High School on Saturday, Nov 7, 2026. Credit: Brad Penner
Smithtown Christian disbanded its boys soccer program after fall 2022, eventually bringing it back in 2025.
It wasn’t a perfect return. As one of the smallest schools on Long Island, the Knights won just one game. Even in 2026, the team only won three games, with its last victory coming on Sept. 22.
Yet when Gabriel Layne’s shot took a deflection and landed in front of junior Luke Ruggerio in the first overtime period against Section IX’s Chapel Field Christian, all that history was just that — history.
For the first time since 2007, Smithtown Christian has a date in the state semifinal.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) November 8, 2026
A look at the goal from Luke Ruggerio that made it possible, as well as the celebration that followed. pic.twitter.com/sNcSo2PRXm
The here and now belonged to Ruggerio and the Knights.
Ruggerio ran back to his own goal, his arms waving, as he dodged his teammates rushing the field after scoring in the 86th minute to book Smithtown Christian’s first trip to the state semifinal round since 2007 with a 1-0 win over Chapel Field Christian Saturday in the Southeast Regional Class D final at Harborfields High School.
“I’m very happy,” Ruggerio said. “We worked really hard for this. Coach pushed me very hard in practice, and I’m glad it all worked out.”
Smithtown Christian (4-10) will face Section II’s Northville at 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Middletown High School.
Coach Charles Bellini was a member of the 2013 Smithtown Christian team that played and lost in this regional final.
“I can kind of live through my team, and they’re delivering for me week-in and week-out,” Bellini said.
Smithtown Christian put 17 shots on target and had 11 corner kicks against Chapel Field Christian (5-9).
The Knights welcomed back Ishmael Nieves Sorto from a hamstring injury, who Bellini praised for having a “fantastic game.” Alongside Joel Valle, plus a defensive back line of Byron Vega, David Wagner, Kevin Lane and Nico Crilly, goalkeeper Luca Pascucci only needed to make two saves for the clean sheet.
Saturday’s game marked Smithtown Christian’s first of consequence since Oct. 19. All that waiting, however, just made the Knights hungrier for what now lies ahead.
“We worked really hard during practice,” Ruggerio said. “We all wanted to go 100% for what could have been our last game.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
