Trey Jasenski proved why he is one of the most dangerous strikers in Section II.
The Mohonasen senior scored on a breakaway with 2:34 left in the first overtime period to lift the Mighty Warriors to a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival Schalmont Monday in Rotterdam.
It’s huge, said Jasenski, who leads Mohonasen with 19 goals. `It’s a rival, and it’s going to boost our morale for Sectionals.`
`We’ve come to depend on Trey a lot,` said Mohonasen coach Joshua Gregg. `I actually thought someone else was going to step up tonight, but Trey has always been there for us.`
Jasenski had tried on several occasions to break through Schalmont’s defense, but succeeded only twice. However, he scored both times he had a free shot to help Mohonasen (9-8-1) finish the regular season with a winning record.
`We contained him pretty well,` said Schalmont coach Jason Beck. `He didn’t have too many (scoring chances).`
Jasenski found his first seam less than three minutes into the second half. He charged down the left sideline and launched a tough-angle shot that tucked into the far right corner of Schalmont’s goal to tie the game at 1.
Jasenski kept looking for another scoring opportunity in regulation, but Schalmont’s defense denied him at every turn. Beck put two defenders on Jasenski all night, which neutralized Jasenski’s attempts at creating openings with his fancy footwork on the dribble.
`You can’t get too down on yourself,` said Jasenski. `Chances come and go, and you have to capitalize on the chances you get.`
Meanwhile, Schalmont (14-4) had trouble connecting on its scoring opportunities. After Carlo Viscusi got the Sabres on the scoreboard late in the first half, Schalmont misfired on several shots, leaving it vulnerable to a Mohonasen comeback.
`I thought we had more possession of the ball than they did. The ball just didn’t bounce our way,` said Beck.
`Our defense has been underrated all year,` said Gregg. `Our defense and our goaltender, Josh Gray, have held it down for us and kept us in games.`
Jasenski broke the tie late in the first 10-minute overtime period. Felix Bransch lobbed a pass upfield to Jasenski, who got behind the two Schalmont defenders assigned to guard him. Jasenski caught up to the ball before Sabre goaltender Mike Azzaro could get to it, and Jasenski pushed the ball past Azzaro into the center of the net for the game winner.
`As soon as he played it, I took the chance and went for it,` said Jasenski. `I didn’t even wait for the referee to make (the offsides) call. The timing was perfect on that play.`
It was the first time Mohonasen had beaten Schalmont in several years, and it gives the Mighty Warriors the distinction of beating the top two seeds in the upcoming Class A Sectionals ` Schalmont (No. 1) and Scotia-Glenville (No. 2).
`We feel really confident going into Sectionals,` said Gregg.
Mohonasen will face a familiar foe in Thursday’s opening round. The Mighty Warriors (No. 7) host Suburban Council rival Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (No. 10), with the winner traveling to Scotia-Glenville Saturday. Meanwhile, Schalmont gets a first-round bye Thursday before playing either Catholic Central (No. 8) or Bishop Gibbons (No. 9) Saturday at home.
`We’re looking forward to Sectionals,` said Beck.
Niskayuna and Schenectady Christian also begin their postseason this weekend. Niskayuna (No. 8 Suburban Council) travels to Ballston Spa (No. 7 Suburban Council) Friday for the opening round of the Class AA Sectionals, while Schenectady Christian (No. 3) hosts Stillwater (No. 6) in Friday’s Class CC quarterfinals at Maalwyck Park in Scotia.“