Baldwin's offense back on track

After hitting a little midseason bump in the road, Baldwin’s strung together three straight wins and will look to enter the Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer playoffs on a four-game roll.

“I knew coming into the season our defense and goaltending would be the strong parts of the team,” coach Darius Burton said. “Early on, we were finding a way to put the ball in the back of the net. Then we went three games with only one goal combined, but now it looks like we’re back on track.”

Even during the scoring drought, Baldwin (6-3-1 in Conference AA-II and 9-3-1 overall) managed to battle first-place Hicksville to a draw on Sept. 29 at the tail end of a six-game road swing. “We played well and both teams had scoring chances,” Burton said. “We beat Hicksville the first time around at our place, so we’ve handed them their only loss and tie in the conference.”

The Lady Bruins ended a three-game winless streak on Oct. 5, beating visiting Plainview-JFK, 2-0, to avenge a loss in the first meeting. “We’ve played great at home all year,” said Burton, noting the team’s 5-1 record when wearing the home whites. “We lost a night game at Plainview a few weeks ago, so it was nice to turn the result around.”

Senior Julie Annecchiarico, who missed five games due to injury, scored the eventual winning goal with 16 minutes left in the first half off a throw-in from younger sister Jenna, a junior who spent some time filling in on defense during her sibling’s absence. Julie then assisted on Crystal Waddy’s breakaway insurance goal 11 minutes into the second half. “Crystal got behind the defense and put a perfect shot inside the far post,” Burton said.

Senior goalkeeper Montia Moon made eight saves and recorded her fifth shutout of the season. “Montia made some spectacular saves,” Burton said. “She continues to come up big for us. She’s got excellent instincts and quick reflexes.”

After paying back Plainview, the Lady Bruins will try to do the same against Farmingdale in the regular-season finale. The first meeting was a 5-1 road defeat. “I’m sure it’s in the back of their heads,” Burton said of his players’ desire to avenge the loss. “We have to match up better on their key kids and stay poised.”

Baldwin’s lineup will be slightly different, too. Jenna Annecchiarico has been starting on defense as of late, with Julie moving to the midfield and playing alongside talented junior Maggie Thibault. Julie Annecchiarico set up senior Nicole Jones with the winning goal with two minutes left to beat Lynbrook, 2-1, in a non-league game on Oct. 7. Jenna, who leads the team with 13 points (six goals, seven assists), tied the game earlier in the second half. And it was Thibault who scored the team’s lone goal at Farmingdale, giving her six on the campaign. The rest of the defense remains unchanged: senior Madison Millwood and sophomores Kaia Harrison and Nicolette Manzella.