Baldwin seeks more of same

Fresh off an impressive 12-win campaign, including a victory over Syosset in the first round of the Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer playoffs, Baldwin is looking to pick up where it left off in a challenging Conference AA-II.

“We had a great year and reached the quarterfinals,” said coach Darius Burton, who began his 10th season at the helm with a 1-1 tie against Calhoun. “Record-wise, it was our best season since I’m here,” he added. “We should be successful again as long as we stay healthy.”

The Lady Bruins, who won their fourth straight beating Hicksville last Friday in the conference opener, 1-0, are already dealing with a key injury that Burton hopes won’t last beyond this week. Senior sweeper Julie Annecchiarico, one of the captains, is out with a badly sprained ankle. “She’s an All-County defender and a four-year varsity player,” Burton said. “She’s our anchor in the back, so we’ll have to move a few things around until she returns.”

Julie’s younger sister, three-sport athlete Jenna Annecchiarico, a junior All-Class selection and Baldwin’s biggest scoring threat, could see time in the back in the interim. “Jenna’s constantly putting pressure on defenders and keeping them on their toes,” Burton said. “She already has five goals. I can put her anywhere on the field and she’s going to excel. She has that competitive nature.”

Senior Madison Milwood is another reliable defender and captain. She has good speed and skills, Burton said, and three years of experience. Sophomore Nicolette Manzella, one of the top performers on JV last fall and a travel player, has fit in nicely at fullback, the coach said. “She’d had a great beginning,” Burton noted.

Baldwin boasts one of the leading goalkeepers in the conference in senior captain Montia Moon. “She’s another three-sport athlete and a three-and-a-half year starter for us with quick hands and instincts,” Burton said. “She’s very strong with the ball in the air and punts well.”

The Lady Bruins count on junior captain Maggie Thibault, an All-County selection, to control the midfield. She led the team in assists a year ago and takes all the important re-starts and corner kicks. “She can do it all,” Burton said. Sophomore Kaia Harrison works the center midfield with Thibault often, and always gets the toughest defensive assignment. “We use Kaia to mark the opponents’ biggest threat,” said Burton, who starts senior Karla Denis and junior Aisling Geraghty at outside midfield. 

Denis scored the winner in Baldwin’s 3-2 non-league victory over North Shore, and Geraghty netted the winner in a 2-1 triumph at Hewlett.

Up front with Jenna Annecchiarico are seniors Nicole Jones and Crystal Waddy. Jones brings a non-stop motor and Waddy possesses speed and a left-footed shot.

“Every game is going to be a battle,” Burton said. “Looking at all the scores so far, we can’t take any days off. That’s what we want, anyway.”