Babylon boys soccer's run comes to a halt in Class B Southeast Regional final

YORKTOWN HEIGHTS — Trace Cerrone stood ready in front of the goal to attempt the extremely difficult task of stopping a penalty kick. Babylon’s standout senior keeper guessed right, diving left.

But Colin Fitzpatrick’s shot still ended up in the netting, giving Albertus Magnus a two-goal lead with 16:04 left in Saturday’s Class B Southeast Regional boys soccer final at Yorktown High.

Cerrone slammed the turf with his hand in frustration.

It was that kind of day for the Panthers, a day when their season ended just a victory short of the state semifinals in Middletown, a day when they fell 3-1 against the Section I champion Falcons.

“We made it so far,” Cerrone said. “I’m really proud of what we did and what we accomplished. It obviously [stinks] to lose like this, but I’m just proud of how my team has played this season.”

The Panthers could indeed take satisfaction in their considerable accomplishments after claiming their sixth straight county title and winning their first Long Island championship since 2021 en route to a 14-4-2 finish.

“This was an improbable group,” coach Dennis McGovern said. “The group last year we thought would go [to Middletown]. I think these kids had a great run.

“We lost 70% of our roster. Our senior group didn’t play as juniors. They stepped in and played as seniors. I think they did a great job. We were in this game the whole game.”

But it was Albertus Magnus that advanced to those state semis Friday, improving to 18-3 after winning a total of 18 games in the previous three seasons combined, including four in 2024.

“It’s not a fluke,” said Brian Fitzpatrick, the Falcons’ 29th-year coach and the father of Colin Fitzpatrick. “We have good players. We didn’t win a lot of games last year, but there was progress that we saw.”

More progress came when Mile Zivkovic sent them ahead to stay. The senior scored from the right side of the box for a 2-1 edge with 8:35 remaining until halftime, beating Cerrone, who made seven saves. Colin Fitzpatrick ultimately moved it 3-1 after a takedown in the box.

“Outside of the goal they scored, we didn’t give them much,” Brian Fitzpatrick said.

The goal Babylon scored was something to behold.

The Panthers trailed 1-0 after Jahziel Sandoval scored 8:50 into the first half off a scramble in the box. But Antonio Bartolotta equalized the match with 15:12 left until the intermission.

The freshman left midfielder curled a corner kick from the right side right into the net.

“It wasn’t fully intended,” Bartolotta said. “I just tried to put the best ball for my team and it just ended up in the back of the net.”

But Babylon ended up settling for league, county and Island crowns.

“I just thought every game from now on was just extra games,” McGovern said. “The kids were totally into it. We have so many young guys coming back.”