Fast start for revitalized Hewlett

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A year after struggling to a 2-6-3 record in Conference A-II and missing the Nassau Class A boys’ soccer playoffs, a jump in enrollment moved Hewlett back into A-I for 2015 where perennial county contenders South Side and Jericho reside.

However, the Bulldogs, bolstered by a pair of returnees to the program after they spent last season playing club, already matched last year’s point total in conference play with two wins and three ties in their first five games. They’ve held a lead in all five.

“It’s our best start in four years,” Hewlett coach Nick Lacetera said. “The guys are really working well as a team. We’re not giving up a lot of goals and hopefully that’ll continue because we’re pretty solid in the back.”

After squandering leads and settling for 1-1 draws with Garden City, Jericho and Great Neck North, the Bulldogs clamped down on New Hyde Park on Sept. 24 and made Ben Peretz’s team-leading third goal of the season hold up. Junior goalkeeper Matthew Gershon made five saves for his second shutout.

“It was good to avoid giving up a late goal and holding on for the win,” Lacetera said. “If there are any teams you don’t mind tying, it’s Garden City and Jericho. But we walked off the field those days and also against Great Neck North with a feeling like we lost.”

Peretz, a junior who can play in the midfield or forward, and senior Gianni Preziosi, a key defender, have provided a boost to the Bulldogs’ lineup all over the field, Lacetera said. “We’re finding out Ben can really finish,” the coach noted. “He has an accomplished skill set. The goal he scored against New Hyde Park, he placed the ball in the left corner which was the only place he could beat the keeper.”

Preziosi has joined senior Elliot Rudgayzer in the middle of the defense. They’re both captains and interchangeable parts, Lacetera said. “They both read the game very well,” he said. “Elliot runs like a gazelle. Gianni demands the best of himself and of the rest of the team. He’s super serious and motivated.”

The Bulldogs are using a rotation at fullback with senior Andrew Fang, a varsity returnee, and juniors Jesse Metz and Saar Yona, who led the JV defense a year ago. Gershon, a returning starter, has been steady between the pipes. “Matt has good size and reacts well,” Lacetera said. “He’s also an excellent punter.”

Offensively, sophomores Alex Vardaro and Luca Preziosa, Gianni’s younger brother, are benefitting from last year’s varsity experience. Vardaro scored against Great Neck North, while Luca scored in a 3-0 victory over Elmont. “Alex is a workhorse who’s always on the go, and Luca is a hard-working player who creates a lot of his own opportunities,” Lacetera said.

Senior captain Brian Petterman, who has two goals, and senior Freddie Aguirre spearhead the midfield. Aguirre has explosive speed and draws multiple defenders when he has the ball.

“We just have to keep grinding,” Lacetera said.

The Bulldogs (2-0-3) face defending Nassau Class A champion South Side on Thursday at 4:30 p.m. at Skelos Sports Complex.