Long Beach seeks goals, playoffs

Long Beach boys’ soccer coach Bill DeFilippis has been impressed by the team’s offseason devotion and work ethic, which he hopes will result in its first playoff appearance since 2001.

“We’ve had every kid at every practice, and they’re showing a lot of chemistry,” DeFilippis said. “It’s difficult to predict what’s going to happen, but I’m looking for us to get into the playoffs.”

Nassau’s conference alignment changed from ability grouping to enrollment-based, and the Marines will compete in Conference III along with Carey, Great Neck South, Calhoun, Kennedy, Mepham and Valley Stream Central. Long Beach finished 2-10-2 overall in 2009.

Offensive consistency has eluded the Marines for quite some time as they've celebrated just 

26 goals over 

the past two 

seasons, including a dozen a year ago. "We haven't scored much," DeFillipis said. "But most of the kids we have learned the system last year and played during the offseason with the same concept. I'm optimistic we'll be better at putting the ball in the net."

Senior forward Vlad Finn is the team's biggest offensive threat. He accounted for 75 percent of its goals last season, scoring eight times en route to earning All-Conference honors. He was a member of the Long Island scholastic Empire State Games team that brought home a bronze medal this summer. "Vlad's a talented kid who can score with either foot," DeFilippis said. "He's grown a lot and had a great experience at the Empire Games."

Finn could also see some action in the midfield, where Long Beach is led by junior playmaker Dylan Palacio. An honorable mention All-County performer and All-State wrestler, Palacio led the team in assists with nine. "He's not afraid to get physical and fight for 50-50 balls," DeFilippis said. "He's an incredible 

athlete."

Senior Dylan Stamile is likely to be paired up front with Finn. Stamile, who returned to the district after moving back to the area from Texas, brings size (6-foot-3) and solid all-around skills to the field. "He's worked very well with Vlad," DeFilippis said. "He makes good decisions with the ball."

Senior Oscar Orellana, who brings three years of experience to the midfield, could also be used up front when a situation calls for it. Juniors Andrew Hurst and John Zator, and sophomore German Franco will also see plenty of action at midfield.

Long Beach's defensive effort is to be led by senior goalkeeper Jordan Ochs, who enters his third year as the starter. Ochs worked hard to sharpen his game over the summer, and DeFilippis said he's "better than anyone we've had in a while and hungry to be successful."

The back line sports a different look than last year. The experience of senior stopper Nick McCarthy and junior halfback Drew Peysner will come in handy as junior sweeper Bryan Cruz and freshman Manny Flores grow into their new roles after coming up from JV.

The Marines play their home opener at Long Beach Middle School on Sept. 22 against Great Neck South at 4:15 p.m.