Calhoun secures conference crown

Senior Mike Harten’s blast from the top of the box found the corner of the net to give Calhoun a 1-0 victory over visiting Valley Stream Central in a Nassau Class AA boys’ soccer game played under challenging weather conditions on the last day of September, giving the Colts the Conference AA-4 title with two regular-season games remaining.

“Conditions were tough,” coach Jim Cantley said after Calhoun improved to 6-2 and completed a season sweep of the second-place Eagles, who fell to 4-4. “If you had the wind at your back, it really helped,” he said. “It was a pretty even game and it took a great goal to win it.”

Chemistry, Cantley said, is the biggest reason for the team’s success. “The guys played in the Town of Hempstead summer league and the chemistry carried over into our season,” he said. “I’m not one to make predictions about how far we’ll go, but we’re a confident team.”

The Colts are getting tremendous offensive production from their forwards and center-midfielders. Senior forward Eric Stewart, the 2015 Offensive Player of the Year in Conference AA-4 who ranked tied for second in the county with 13 goals, has picked up where he left off. He has eight goals and five assists despite seeing constant double teams. “Eric has good timing and great speed,” Cantley said. “He’s one of those guys who just has a knack for being in the right place and able to finish. He’s tough to knock off the ball.”

Stewart’s running mate up top is sophomore Alex Sipos, who starred at the JV level last season and earned a varsity call-up for the playoffs. “I knew how talented Alex was last year,” Cantley said. “He’s quick and has a cannon of a shot. He can shake and bake defenders.” Sipos has eight goals and two assists.

Harten and fellow senior Joe Thomann anchor the midfield from the center. They’re interchangeable parts, Cantley said, and strong at both ends of the field. They’re also captains along with Stewart. “Mike and Joe give each other breathers when they need it,” Cantley explained. “They’re both leaders and motivators along with Eric.” Thomann has registered four goals and four assists, while Harten has two goals and three assists. Stamina is the key for outside midfielders Kevin Hannon (junior), Ryan Hilke (sophomore) and Dylan Jainchill (senior.)

The defense is coping with the absence of starting sweeper James King, a senior with size and speed expected to return from an ankle injury in time for the playoffs. Senior James Weinblatt has filled in nicely. Senior Neal Gil is a standout stopper who not only wins most of the 50-50s in the air, but also takes the majority of free kicks and set pieces. Seniors Ryan Elliott and Cole Haile are hard-nosed fullbacks.

Senior goalkeeper David Futterman, a first-year starter, has been ultra-reliable, Cantley said, and posted his first shutout of the campaign against Valley Stream Central by making nine saves in rainy and windy conditions.