Locust Valley Blanks Rye to Reach State Semis
Oliver Dostalek's 11 saves help Locust Valley claim a 2-0 win in the state Class A regional final.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer
Locust Valley defeated Rye 2-0 in the boys soccer state Class A regional final Saturday evening at Jericho High School. Lucas Mejia scored in the 31st minute and added a second goal early in the second half, while Oliver Dostalek recorded the shutout with 11 saves.
Why it matters
The win marks Locust Valley's first county title, first Long Island championship and first appearance in the state semifinals. Rye, which finished the season 20-1-1, was held scoreless despite taking six shots in the first half.
Locust Valley's 2-0 result came against a Rye team that finished 20-1-1, with Dostalek making 11 saves to preserve the shutout. Rye's six first-half shots did not translate into a goal, and the semifinal opponent's performance is not yet known.
The players
Locust Valley boys soccer
The Locust Valley program won its first county title and first Long Island championship this season, reaching the state semifinals for the first time.
Oliver Dostalek
Dostalek is the Locust Valley goalkeeper who recorded 11 saves and the shutout in the regional final.
Joseph Lee
Lee is the Locust Valley coach who is retiring after this season.
The details
Dostalek studied Rye's film to learn the team's tendencies and corner-kick plays before the match. Mejia scored off a through ball from John Guarderas early in the second half to extend the lead.
Timeline
Saturday evening: Locust Valley beats Rye 2-0 in the state Class A regional final at Jericho High School.
Friday, 3:15 p.m.: Locust Valley faces Jamesville-DeWitt in the state Class A semifinal at Middletown High School.
Season Trajectory
The regional final win completes a 16-2 season that lifts Locust Valley into the state semifinals for the first time in program history. The result also comes in the final season of coach Joseph Lee, who is retiring after this year.
The semifinal against Jamesville-DeWitt is the next opportunity for Locust Valley to advance further in the state tournament. Fans planning to attend can note the Friday 3:15 p.m. start time at Middletown High School.
The takeaway
Locust Valley's first state semifinal appearance makes Friday's 3:15 p.m. match against Jamesville-DeWitt the program's next major test. Readers following high school soccer can track the result as the state tournament continues.
What happens next
Locust Valley will play Jamesville-DeWitt in the state Class A semifinal at 3:15 p.m. Friday at Middletown High School.
Further reading
Follow more high school results in Soccer coverage across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Newsday.
