Midfield sets tone for Lynbrook

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After a strong finish that earned Lynbrook a spot in the Nassau Class A boys’ soccer playoffs in 2013, the Owls are looking to pick up where they left off despite losing 10 players, including every starter up the middle.

“We’re going to be athletic and physical,” coach Josh Berlin said. “We lost a nice senior group, but we return a bunch of starters and we’re eyeing the prize.”

A year ago, the Owls picked up four points in their last three games to finish 4-4-3 in Conference A2. They gained a playoff berth with a win in the regular-season finale, then eliminated Hewlett in an outbracket game before falling to Lawrence in the round of 16. “This year we’re focusing on generating more opportunities to get shots off,” Berlin said. “We want to attack with 10 players.”

Berlin said senior midfielders Sasha Gimadiev, Matias Garcia and Dylan O’Brien will be counted upon to set the tone. “We’re going to rely heavily on the three of them even though we have a lot of depth in the midfield,” he said. “Those guys play club together and have nice chemistry. They’ll form a triangle in the middle.”

Gimadiev earned All-Conference honors last season. “He’s confident and his skill set runs the gamut,” Berlin noted. Garcia and O’Brien are joining Gimadiev in the center of the field after splitting time on the outside a year ago. “Matias and Dylan learned a lot as juniors,” Berlin said. “They’re hard-working and creative.”

Sophomore Robert Sitonio stuck on the varsity after getting the call midway through last season. He’ll return to an outside midfield spot and brings a strong left foot and the ability to deliver accurate crossing passes. Another key part of the midfield/forward groups is junior Rob Anastasio, who spent last year helping lead the JV squad. “With the depth we’ve got, nobody has to play 80 minutes in the midfield,” Berlin said.

The Owls are also deep in the back. Senior Erik Vivar, a former midfielder, anchors the defense from the sweeper position. “He’s our take-charge, vocal leader,” Berlin said. Junior Matt McVeigh is a returning defensive starter and versatile enough to play multiple positions, and senior Gordon Purdie steps into the role of stopper where he’s being asked to lock down the top of the zone.  Senior Billy Lithen and sophomore Keefe Horgan will also contribute.

The new goalkeeper has big shoes to fill, replacing All-County selection Patrick Doody. Juniors Juan Alfonso and Anthony Neal will both get a chance to show what they can do, Berlin said. “They both have good instincts and quick reflexes,” he said. Alfonso is also a candidate to help out the defense.

At striker, speed is senior Sebastian Campos’ biggest asset and he can get behind defenders and be a factor. He had the game-winning goal against Hewlett in the playoffs. Anthony Molina found the net four times as a freshman, and Berlin expects him to benefit from the varsity experience.