Freedom High School’s 1-0 victory over Pleasant Valley in boys’ soccer last week meant a little more to the Patriots than usual for the simple reason that Freedom had been unable to defeat the Bears for the past three years.

“It feels pretty good,” said Patriot captain, DJ Bast. “We lost a couple close games to them.”

Bast scored the only goal of the game on a header from an assist by Chris Szymanski in the second half.

Szymanski said, “We got the corner, and DJ is usually the one we choose to get the header. DJ was on the 18, and I played it to him, and it was perfect.”

Bast scored with approximately 30 minutes left in the game.

“Whenever we get a corner, it’s an opportunity to score, and Chris gets good balls,” said Bast.

Freedom had two other scoring opportunities earlier in the half when Mezen Abdalla’s header missed, and Szymanski had a shot on goal.

Shots on goal in the first half belonged to Bast, RJ Judge, and Michael Silva, but none scored.

“I thought we came out a little flat [in the first half],” Bast said.

The first three weeks of the 2015 season have been very good to the Patriots, however.

“I think we’ll be much more successful this year. A lot of us are seniors now, and we’ve been playing together since before high school, so the connection is helping us,” said Szymanski.

Varsity newcomers have also been helpful to the Patriots.

“Mike Silva and Will Tichy, yeah, they’re making a big difference, and they fit right in with us,” Bast said.

Also last week, Freedom defeated Eastburg South 6-0. Bast scored twice in the first. Shawn Camus, Judge, and Tichy also scored. Adam Capuano had a goal in the second half.

The Pates defeated Pocono West 4-1. Steven Riad scored two in the first half. In the second, Alex Thomas and Szymanski scored.