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Boys Soccer: Result secondary to Riverhead goalie’s injury

The result didn’t matter, only the health of Angel Camarillo did.

The Riverhead High School boys soccer team dropped a 4-0 loss in its Suffolk County League II opener on the Blue Waves’ first game on their turf field Tuesday afternoon at the Pulaski Sports Complex. But they were more concerned about the senior goalkeeper, who suffered an apparent head injury.

Camarillo was taken off the field in an ambulance and brought to a nearby hospital with 18 minutes, 35 seconds remaining in the match.

“I thought Lindy was a good opponent,” assistant coach Will Casey said. “I thought the boys battled and just came up on the short end of the stick here. We’re obviously progressing. It’s the beginning of the season. I’m seeing good things. At the end of the day, it’s really about Angel right now. Thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family.”

Camarillo suffered an injury when he collided with two Lindenhurst players while vying for a corner kick. He went down and did not come up.

Casey said it was “just a 50-50 ball in the box.”

“He came out and made a huge save and then he went down,” he added.

Head coach Evan Philcox and Casey went out on the field along with a trainer.

“He was conscious, he was moving, but had to go to the hospital,” Casey said. “He was foggy, definitely foggy.”

Philcox, who rode to the hospital with Camarillo, was not immediately available for comment.

Up until the collision, Camarillo played superbly, allowing only Kevin Linder to score with 35:48 left in the second half.

“He was exceptional,” Casey said.

After a 27-minute delay, the game restarted with sophomore Elder Sosa in the net as Lindenhurst dominated the rest of the way.

Aidan Downey’s penalty kick with 7:20 remaining doubled the lead. With 5:50 to go, Linder made it 3-0 before Jose Martinez closed out the scoring, connecting on a shot from distance with 4:04 left.

“Obviously, soccer is not the main focus for him right now,” Casey said of Camarillo. “Now it’s just getting back into school and everything.

“Right now it’s just his well-being.”

Photo caption: Riverhead goalkeeper Angel Camarillo is attended to by trainer Chris Hildebrandt after suffering an apparent head injury. (Credit: Robert O’Rourk)