Impressive start for Hewlett

Hewlett boys’ soccer kept its perfect start going last Friday night as part of Homecoming festivities, defeating Roslyn, 2-1, on the high school turf field for its third straight conference win and fourth straight overall.
Senior Juan Aguilar had both goals including a dynamic direct kick from about 25 yards out with 10 minutes remaining for the eventual game-winner, while junior goalkeeper Laurent Dorvilier made seven saves, including his best with 10 seconds to go.
“Juan’s second goal was a laser,” Hewlett coach Nick Lacetera said. “It broke some of the zip ties that hold the net to the posts. We don’t play many games at the high school so it was nice to win in front of a big crowd.”
The Bulldogs finished 6-4-2 in conference games a year ago and upset No. 2 Plainedge in the first round of the Class A playoffs before falling to Island Trees in the quarterfinals. Under Nassau’s new conference alignment, enrollment numbers landed Hewlett in a stacked A3 along with South Side, Jericho, Kennedy, Roslyn and Carey. Only the top three finishers are guaranteed a playoff berth.
“The kids are playing well and the ball is bouncing our way a little bit,” Lacetera said. “We’re only four games in, and they’ve all been at home, but it’s very encouraging. We have to continue to win the games that on paper can go either way, then squeeze something out of the tougher ones like South Side and Jericho.”

Putting the ball in the back of the net hasn’t been an issue thus far, with the Bulldogs scoring twice in each of their first four games. “I’m confident in the offense,” Lacetera said. “We have four or five guys who can score.”
Aguilar and sophomore Brayan Dubon Matamoros have three goals apiece and junior Fernando Viscarra has a pair. Aguilar is the team’s “quarterback” at center-midfield, Lacetera said, and plays a simple game with a combination of speed and aggressiveness. “When Juan is on, we’re 10 times better,” he noted.
Dubon Matamoros, who sees time in the midfield and forward, accounted for all the offense in a 2-0 conference-opening win over Carey on Sept. 13 and scored again four days later in a 2-1 victory over Kennedy. Both of those games were played on the grass at Hewlett Elementary. “He’s not the biggest kid but he’s a powerhouse and can create scoring chances for others,” Lacetera said. “He’s got unbelievable foot skills.”
Viscarra comes off a strong 2017 at outside midfield and is most effective pushing the ball along the sideline, Lacetera said. Senior Ely Assaf and sophomore Armando Vardaro play on the opposite side, while freshman David Lamour provides a spark off the bench in the center. Senior David Abikzer is a good finisher up top where sophomore Carlos Aguilar is also contributing.
On defense, junior Tyler Jamel is the lone returning starter. He’s at fullback along with sophomore Sam Vanunu. Senior sweeper Marlon Castellon has been tremendous in the early going, Lacetera said, and senior Adam Bourbia is thriving since taking over at stopper.
Dorvilier is a returning starter between the pipes and brings excellent size (6-foot-2), hands and punting ability. “He’s usually mistake-free,” Lacetera said.