North Salem Blanks Riverhead Charter for Regional Title

North Salem beat Riverhead Charter 2-0 in the state Class C Southeast Regional final, moving toward a third straight state title bid.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Soccer

North Salem Blanks Riverhead Charter for Regional Title

North Salem defeated Riverhead Charter 2-0 on Saturday in the state Class C Southeast Regional final at Harborfields High School. Liam Keegan scored both goals, one on a 19-yard free kick and one on a penalty kick after a hand ball in the box.

Why it matters

The result extends North Salem's pursuit of a third consecutive state title and ends a debut playoff run for Riverhead Charter, which moved up from Class D this fall. For New York soccer fans, it adds another chapter to a regional bracket that rewarded a team with an 8-8-2 record over one with 10 wins.

North Salem scored both goals in a 2-0 win, with Liam Keegan's 19-yard free kick and penalty kick accounting for the scoring. The source does not specify the state tournament opponents or dates.

The players

North Salem

North Salem is a public high school soccer program in Westchester County, New York, seeking its third straight state title.

Riverhead Charter School

Riverhead Charter School is a Long Island charter school whose soccer team made a rapid rise from Class D to Class C in its first playoff run.

The details

Keegan's free kick came from 19 yards, and his second goal followed a penalty awarded for a hand ball in the box. Riverhead Charter, which returned 20 players to its roster, had won a county title in its first season in Class C.

A year ago: Riverhead Charter won its first playoff game.
This fall: Riverhead Charter moved from Class D to Class C.
Saturday: North Salem defeated Riverhead Charter 2-0 in the regional final.

Season Trajectory

Riverhead Charter's move from Class D to Class C this fall put it against tougher regional competition, and its county title in its debut season showed it could compete at the new level. The loss ends its run in the bracket while North Salem continues toward a third straight state title.

North Salem's win keeps its state title hopes alive for another round of tournament play. Riverhead Charter's season ends with 10 wins, and its 20 returning players set up next year's benchmark.

The takeaway

Regional playoff results can turn on a few decisive plays, as North Salem's two goals showed in a one-sided final. Riverhead Charter's debut season offers a reminder that a team's first year in a higher class can still produce a county title.