Hewlett-Lawrence Soccer Club alumni game returns this Friday

It’s time to bring out those cleats and hit the pitch for Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club’s annual alumni game.

The nonprofit HLSC, for players aged 4 to 18, is part of the Long Island Junior Soccer League and has been in play since 1970.

The club held its inaugural game last summer, with both old and young players playing at Woodmere Middle School.

The site for the game remains the same and the event’s sponsors are Armando Vardaro, his father and president of the Hewlett Lawrence Soccer Club, Sabino, David Friedman, president of the Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association and Nicole Eliopoulos.

Friedman said that Armando is the main organizer and the rest, including him, are his support staff.

Armando was the captain of his father’s Blue team in the club and won the LIJ soccer league in 2018 and 2019. He is a Hewlett High School 2021 graduate.

During his senior year in high school, he was recruited to play for the men’s soccer at Arcadia University in Wyncote, Pennsylvania.

Calls were made to Sabino and family but were not returned. Friedman said the family is away.

Past members of the club remained in touch through several social media platforms and group chats where players could know what was going on with past teammates in their personal or professional life.

“Some of the teams and alumni are still in text groups,” Friedman said. “Their friendships continue and they stay in text groups and talk to each other while in college and beyond.”

Local Five Towns organizations are sponsoring and making donations for the event, which include Friedman’s HWBA, who will be donating drinks and snacks, Maidenbaum Property Tax Reduction, Nicole Eliopoulos State Farm and Heather and Steve Bouskila.

The event will take place this Friday at the Woodmere Middle School field from 6:30-9 p.m.