East Meadow balanced, experienced, potent

Nassau County shuffled the deck when it comes to boys soccer alignment, and the sport is returning to conference groupings based on enrollment rather than ability this fall.

But one thing that hasn’t changed much is East Meadow’s roster, which graduated just three seniors, two of whom were starters. With so many Jets back following a 10-5 campaign and a berth in the Nassau Class AA playoffs, it’s no wonder the program hopes to keep moving forward.

In fact, heading into the season opener last Tuesday against Island Trees, few positions were up for grabs. Senior goalie Hector Guerrero is back for his second season as the starter, and his foot was already being put to good use on the football team, where he connected on four extra points in a Week 1 win. But as much as soccer is about leg strength, Guerrero does more than just excel on clearing kicks. “He has prototypical size and is a very vocal leader in the back,” coach Kevin Regan said. “His physical strength is not an issue, he’s good in the air and he reads the game well. He’s a save-maker.”

An experienced back line is led by senior All-Conference sweeper David Shmuel and senior All-Conference marking back Dom Fragiorgi, and according to Reagan, the team’s most improved player from last season, junior marking back Alex Melnyczuk. His older brother, Chris, enters his senior campaign at center midfield.

Junior midfielder Joe Martino enters his third year at the varsity level, and East Meadow also welcomes back senior Oscar Robles, one of its biggest offensive weapons. “He’s going to have more of an attacking role,” Regan said of Robles. “He has a tremendous shot and is a real playmaker.”

Senior Neil Zuckerman, like Martino a three-year varsity player, is taking on a new role as an outside midfielder, where the Jets hope his size and strength will help create mismatches. Juniors Anthony Stano and Eddie Fuschetto and sophomore John Posillico are also vying for time at midfield.

East Meadow’s offense will generate spark from the tandem of Robles and senior forward Anthony Posillico, an honorable mention All-County player who scored 12 goals last season. Junior William Rosales, now a third-year starter, could take on an expanded goal scoring role, while freshman Danny Espinoza gets his feet wet at the varsity level. “We feel real good about putting the ball in the net,” Regan said.

The Jets travel to Plainview-JFK for their Conference AA-II opener on Monday at 4:45 p.m., and close out an early season three-game road swing Sept. 22 at Baldwin (4:45 p.m.).

“The top four in each league make the playoffs,” Regan said, noting the switch that followed hand-in-hand with the conference realignments. “We hope to advance farther than we did last season, and I do think we’re a team that people are going to come to respect.”