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Mostly Cloudy Bruins embark on tough road
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Senior midfielder Billy Deignan, right, will play a key role at both ends of the field for the Bruins.
Jeff Wilson/Herald
Time will tell if winning the Town of Hempstead boys’ soccer summer league in undefeated fashion propels Baldwin to bigger things this fall. The Bruins, who finished a disappointing 3-7-4 in Conference AA-II in 2008 and missed the playoffs, are stocked with talent on defense and also return leading scorer John Popovic at forward.
"Last year's team had ability but never jelled," coach Mike Palumbo said. "The kids seem to be working much better together and I'm confident we'll be improved."
Coaches voted to change the Class AA alignment, which went from three
conferences to two. The number of teams in the top conference remained at seven, with the other 14 teams comprising Conference AA-II. Each of the Conference AA-I teams is guaranteed a playoff spot, while those in AA-II battle for five berths. "It's even harder to make the playoffs," said Palumbo, whose team will play each of its AA-II rivals once for a 13-game regular-season schedule. "It used to be top four out of eight. It's going to take a lot of consistency to finish in the top five out of 14."
A senior-led defense should give Baldwin a chance to win every time the team steps on the field. The back line features two players moved from the midfield in seniors Billy Deignan and C.J. Doherty. Deignan is a four-year starter who spent each of the last two seasons at center-midfield after playing defense in 2006, and Doherty is a three-year starter getting the nod at stopper. "They're both great ball distributors, and we're going to look for Billy to push it up the field," Palumbo said.
In addition, the defense also has senior sweeper Steven Greene and junior Stephen Pang as returning starters. Greene, in his third year and an All-Conference selection along with Deignan, was named the Bruins' MVP last fall. He's a physical presence according to Palumbo, and Pang will also serve as an offensive weapon thanks to his strong throw-ins. Senior Myles Lupia provides depth on defense.
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