Baldwin gains early momentum

For the second time in as many years, Baldwin boys’ soccer coach Mike Palumbo is hoping a Town of Hempstead summer league title will be a sign of things to come.

The 2009 Bruins carried their summer momentum into the high school season and won the Conference II championship with a record of 12-0-1. They beat Kennedy in the first round of the Class AA playoffs, then lost a one-goal heartbreaker to eventual county champion Hicksville.

“Last year was great, no doubt about it,” Palumbo said. “Between the summer and regular season, we went four months where we didn’t lose.

“We still talk about the Hicksville game,” he added. “It was a tough way to go out. But the new alignment puts Hicksville in our conference, and we’re looking forward at a chance for revenge.”

Though Baldwin graduated more than half of its starters, the team brings back quality leadership with 12 seniors along with some talented underclassmen. It looked sharp out of the gate, beating Kennedy 2-0 on Sept. 11 and battling defending county Class A champ South Side to a 1-1 tie three days later.

“We’ve started very well,” Palumbo said. “I think we can go as far as we did last year. We’re going to push for the playoffs and more.”

The Bruins are employing an odd 2-3-3-2 alignment, as opposed to a traditional 2-4-4 or a 3-4-3. The system features sets of offensive and defensive midfielders who can lend support at both ends.

Leading the effort in the center are senior captains Jared Babb and Tana Weekes. Babb’s position is comparable to stopper. “Jared’s big and fast, and smart with the ball,” Palumbo said. “He pushes the ball up the field and gets our transition going.” The MVP of the summer league, the coach said Weekes is “the heart of the team.” Weekes is quick and feisty, and terrific in tight spaces thanks to his one-on-one moves.

Senior Chris Walsh and junior Lucio Sorto work the offensive midfield with Weekes, and the top forwards are 

seniors Terrell Chapman and Eduardo Martinez, and sophomore D.J. Hunter. Walsh, who handles all free kicks and corners, scored both goals in the season-opening victory at Kennedy. Junior Mitchell Herrara and freshman Peter Smith-Rafferty are part of the defensive midfield.

Anchoring the in-close defense is senior fullback Stephen Tang, who serves as a captain and one of the team’s vocal leaders. Joining him is senior Phil Flores, who moves into a starting role for the first time. “Being best friends off the field helps Stephen and Phil have lots of chemistry on it,” Palumbo said.

The Bruins are strong at goalkeeper with Vinny Pellegrino, who posted 10 shutouts last season and earned All-Conference honors. As Pellegrino battled a groin injury, sophomore backup Dan Capone stepped up with 17 saves in the first two games and his first varsity shutout.

On Saturday, Hicksville visits for a 6 p.m. start.