Hewlett clings to playoff hopes

Posted

With no starters back from last year’s playoff team, Hewlett has experienced its shares of ups and downs in 2014 and will need to get hot down the stretch to return to Nassau Class A boys’ soccer postseason play.

“I’m happy with the way we’ve been playing,” Bulldogs coach Nick Lacetera said. “We didn’t bring anyone back who started last year, and that’s never happened before. It was a challenge placing everyone in the right spots.

“We’re not giving up a lot of goals,” he added. “Our only problem has been finishing. We can’t seem to find the back of the net.”

With four games to go, Hewlett sits outside of a playoff spot with a record of 1-3-3. Three more wins would guarantee the Bulldogs an appearance in the tournament with at least a .500 mark, but the road ahead is tough with Lawrence, Roosevelt, Roslyn, and Valley Stream South. All four remaining opponents entered this week’s action in playoff position, and Roslyn is atop Conference A-2 with six wins and a tie in seven games.

“We need some goals and we need some wins,” Lacetera said. 

After knocking off Lynbrook, 3-1, on Sept. 17 behind goals from seniors Nolan Kim and Brad Perlzweig, and junior Brian Petterman, the Bulldogs (3-3-4 overall) have scored just once in the past four games. That tally came off the foot of Kim in a 2-1 loss to Glen Cove on Sept. 22.

Kim, a center-midfielder, has netted half (four) of Hewlett’s goals on the year. In 2013, he was the first player Lacetera summoned off the bench. “He’s our best all-around player,” Lacetera said. “He’s fast with great skills and incredible endurance. He can run all game and play anywhere.”

Senior Jake Corda is providing strong play on the outside in the midfield, while junior Anthony Dokic leads the team in assists with three.

Page 1 / 2