In the eyes of their coach, the Newburgh Free Academy boys’ soccer team outplayed the Cornwall Dragons.

However, the Dragons outdid the Goldbacks in the only way that mattered.

With less than 15 minutes to go in the game, Cornwall’s Ryan Surowiec sent a pass forward to Ellis Urgent, who pushed a shot past Newburgh goalkeeper Andreas Gillmeier, and the Dragons finished the shutout with a 1-0 non-league win on Wednesday night at Academy Field.

“We played really well,” Newburgh coach Matt Iorlano said. “We just didn’t put the ball in the net. Unfortunately, in this game that’ll haunt you, when you don’t put it in when you have your opportunity. We had three or four real good opportunities and didn’t convert. All it takes is one mistake, one break and one quality shot, and the kid hits it off the post and it goes in.”

The Goldbacks had just come off a weekend tournament in Ossining where they scored six goals in two games. They opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to Irvington but came back on the tournament’s second day with a 4-0 win over Hendrick Hudson.

However, Wednesday night, the goals were hard to come by, but they consistently pressured the Dragons forcing Cornwall keeper Tiernan Limperopulos to preserve the shutout victory.
The Goldbacks had a late chance to even the score, but Tudor Wolfson’s shot sailed over the crossbar, sending him to the ground in frustration.

“Tonight, we just didn’t get the breaks,” Iorlano said. “We’re doing everything until we get to that final third, and it’s a little bit of a break down.”

Newburgh’s Andreas Gillmeier made two saves in goal.

“He did fine,” Iorlano said. “The goal wasn’t his fault. It’s decision making. It’s not the physical ability; it’s the mental. It’s the decision making that’s got to get a little bit better.”

And the offense is going to have to be better. The Goldbacks lost their main offensive threat from last year – All-American Javier Rodriguez – and without one person to flow the offense through, the Goldbacks are seeking a more balanced attack.

“You lose 25 goals and to find that somewhere is going to be tough,” Iorlano said. “We’re going to keep working and keep pounding.”

The Goldbacks had two days before the Albany Falcons came to town on Saturday afternoon. Tommy Koziak scored off an assist from Steven Hernandez. Gillmeier made four saves.

Hassan Mohsini scored for Albany, and Brian Milligan made six saves.

Despite their 1-2-1 record, Wednesday night’s game gave the Goldbacks a look at what they could potentially be.

“We played really well,” Iorlano said.

“Defensively, we played well. The midfield played well. Everybody worked their butts off and it shows how good we could be if we put the ball. But it’s a lot easier to play this game when you put the ball in the net. It’s a lot more fun, and it takes a little bit of the pressure off.”