Influx of youth at VSN

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Valley Stream North comes off a solid season that saw the Spartans finish with an overall record of 7-3-4 (6-2-3 in conference games.) North earned a postseason berth and gave eventual state champion Jericho all it could handle in a 1-0 loss in the opening round of the Nassau Class A boys’ soccer playoffs.

Graduation was tough on the Spartans. North lost eight starters, and will field one of the younger teams in the county in 2014. In a conference that includes the likes of Roslyn, Hewlett, Lynbrook, Bethpage, and Valley Stream South, the young Spartans will need to get acclimated to playing at the varsity level in a hurry if they want to return to the postseason. 

Coach Dave Aguado is hopeful the learning curve won’t be too steep. “We’re very young, so we have to do a lot more in terms of skill development,” Aguado said. “In past years, we’ve had experienced players who didn’t need as much instruction. We have to bring this team along as players. We’re young, but if things come together, I think we can compete for a playoff spot.”

Aguado will start a freshman in the net. James Perciballi, who manned the goal for the middle school team in 2013, is quick, intelligent, and plays the game well beyond his years. Senior Will Duggan will back up Perciballi.

Experience anchors the backline for the Spartans. Senior captain Mark Soldatic, who missed a good part of last season with an injury, is a talented sweeper. Soldatic is tough competitor who wins a good share of 50-50 balls, and reads the game well.

Senior stopper Christian Cruz, one of North’s few returning starters, is a three-year varsity performer. Cruz is usually given the task of marking the opposing team’s top offensive threats. Sophomore Antonio Evola, a versatile player who can play anywhere on the field, and senior Jorge Contreras round out what should be a strong defensive unit.

If North is going to be successful, it will need solid performances from senior Kevin Aquino and sophomore Luciano Cirelli at center midfielder. Aquino, who played forward as a junior and scored five goals, will be looked upon to distribute the ball and score from time to time. Cirelli, who started as a freshman, is a highly skilled midfielder, and one of the most aggressive players Aguado has coached at North.

Sophomore Anthony Franco, and freshmen Anthony Morales and Brandon James round out the midfield. Franco will likely see time on the backline as well. Aguado needs this trio to rise to the occasion. “They all played JV last year, so they’re sort of getting thrown in the fire,” Aguado said. “We need them to learn on the job. Each of them is capable.”

A small, but talented, group of forwards will look to find the back of the net. Junior Carlos Cardona, and sophomores Jean-Gardy Derineau and Kenet Ruano are hard-working players who can finish. Seniors Miko Piekut and Diego Cayotopa provide depth.

North travels to Lawrence on Monday for a 4:30 p.m. start.