Mattituck boys soccer beats Center Moriches for first time in last six games
Peter Ortiz of Mattituck celebrates his goal in the second half of a Suffolk League VI boys soccer matchup against Center Moriches on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026 in Mattituck. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
The Mattituck boys soccer team held a two-goal lead in the 65th minute as Center Moriches’ Wilmer Amaya forced a turnover along the right sideline. His low cross found the boot of Carlos Garcia along the 6-yard box.
Goal, Red Devils. And for a Mattituck team that hadn’t beaten Center Moriches once across its last five meetings — with the last win coming in September 2024 — it felt like the Tuckers may let a win slip out of their grasp.
Then Mattituck’s Jose Chapeton lofted a perfect pass over the middle of Center Moriches’ backline for Connor Searl to run onto and score with just 2:53 remaining. And just like that, Mattituck held on to win 3-1 at home Tuesday against Center Moriches in Suffolk’s League VI.
It was a strong season opener for the Tuckers, especially against a Center Moriches team with three games already under its belt.
“We’ve been together since December in the gym, playing two days a week, playing all spring and then transitioning into summer league,” Mattituck coach Dan O’Sullivan said. “Guys just fell into roles.”
The Red Devils (1-3) eliminated the Tuckers in the 2025 Suffolk Class B semifinal round, losing via penalty kicks. Senior captain Charlie Carter, who opened the scoring in the 17th minute, knew this game meant more than others.
“I always hear coaches, the entire soccer community of Suffolk County, about the big rivalry between Mattituck and Center Moriches,” Carter said. “So, it means the world to me to come out with a win tonight.”
Mattituck’s Andy Mancia, Franklyn Secaida and Chapeton dominated the middle of the field, determining the pace of play while the hustle rate shifted from player to player.
No play spoke to that more than Carter’s long throw-in to Mancia, who beat the ball to the endline and crossed it to Peter Ortiz.
“I saw my friend coming in and hit it right when it was on the line,” Mancia said.
“At first, I was like, ‘There’s no way I hit this. There’s no way it lands on my foot,’ ” Ortiz said.
But it did. Ruiz put his laces through the ball and volleyed it with his right foot for the game’s second goal early in the second half.
Center Moriches nearly scored in the final seconds of the first half, but Mattituck goalie Cris Cuellar made a remarkable diving stop to deny a breakaway chance.
“We’re still trying to put it together,” Center Moriches coach Michael Russo said. “Hats off to Mattituck; they played a great game. It’s early. We’re going to get it right and be there at the end like we always are.”
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.
