Edward Vargas’ shot was perfectly placed.

He corralled the ball from about 25 yards away and sent an airborne kick flying toward the goal, and there was nothing the Marlboro Dukes’ goalkeeper could do.

Vargas’ shot hit the cross bar from underneath and bounced into the goal, the only score in the Panthers’ 1-0 Mid Hudson Athletic League boys’ soccer victory at Robinson Field at Wallkill Senior High School.

“It felt really good,” Vargas said. “It felt perfect. I wasn’t able to see the kick because as soon as I kicked it, my view was blocked. I just thought it falling into the back of the net was one of the best feelings I could have.”

It also was one of the few opportunities the Panthers would have to score, so it felt to Vargas and the defense to keep the Iron Dukes off the board.

“Defensively, things were a little rough,” Vargas said. “Our team managed to stick it through. They were getting a lot of good chances, but our back line held it.”

Marlboro had their best chance to net the equalizer with about 4 minutes remaining in the game when Matthew Bogaczyk sent a corner kick in from the left side, but the ensuing header went high.

That also doesn’t mean the Panthers didn’t have their chances, as well. About nine minutes into the second half, Wallkill’s Aiden Boland had a shot on an open net, but the Marlboro defense rallied round the ball and managed to keep it from crossing the goal line.

Seven minutes after that, Chris Banegas had a head shot that went high.

“We had a lot of chances,” Vargas said. “They just didn’t have it for us today. Hopefully, we can get some tomorrow.”

The Panthers went on the road Friday, posting a 3-0 non-league win over the Class AAA Middletown Bears.
They’ve won four out of five league games since MHAL play began on Sept. 16. Their only league loss came at home against the Our Lady of Lourdes Warriors on Sept. 16.

They were scheduled for their final home game on Monday before they go on the road for the entire month of October. They will have a rematch with the Warriors next Tuesday.

“I feel good about where the team is in the standings,” Vargas said. “We had a little bit of a rocky start, but now we’re growing as a team. We’re starting to play a lot better. We’re possessing the ball and playing good soccer.”