Lawrence offense clicks

Lawrence boys’ soccer coach Patrick Leary said he’s used to watching his team defending well and grinding out games, but he’ll have no problem getting used to its performance in last week’s Carle Place Tournament.

The Golden Tornadoes exploded for 11 goals, including six in the tourney final
when they doubled-up the host Frogs to take the four-team event. Carlos
Quintanilla scored two goals and Joel Lippolis, Noe Avalos, Henry Canales and Remberto Vasquez also found the net.

“Scoring is a unique talent,” Leary said. “This year we’ve got a handful of guys

Edgar Quintanilla, Carlos Quintanilla, Canales, Lippolis and Eddie Ramirez
scored in a 5-1 season-opening win over Seaford, which managed to get just one
of its nine shots past Lawrence senior goalkeeper Kaith Lopez, who was making his debut between the pipes.

“Kaith volunteered to be our keeper,” Leary said of the team’s last line of
defense. “We didn’t have one. He works hard and has a good set of hands. It all
comes down to getting game experience. The more he gets, the better he’ll
become. So far, so good.”

The defense features a mix of experienced varsity players and newcomers. Up from
the JV, juniors Alex Ramirez and Sam Sussman have embraced their new roles at
sweeper and fullback, respectively. Junior Stefano Gaspard is a returning
marking back, and seniors Eddie Ramirez and Avalos are solid stay-at-home midfielders.

If the Golden Tornadoes continue to click on offense, opponents in Conference V will be hard-pressed to keep them out of the playoffs. Lippolis, who led
Lawrence in goals last season with 11, is off to a flying start along with Carlos Quintanilla, a center-midfielder who started a year ago as a freshman.

“Joel can score a lot of different ways,” Leary said of Lippolis, a senior
forward who will spend some time at midfield. “He’s a very skilled player with a
ton of experience.”

Canales, a senior, and Edgar Quintanilla, a junior, are the team’s other
forwards. Canales has quick feet and is dangerous with and without the ball, and
Leary said Quintanilla’s work ethic away from the ball appears much improved.

“I believe in our talent,” Leary said. “The experience from last year should
help us a lot. I’m excited about the challenge of the enrollment-based format. I
think we can compete and get into the playoffs.”

Conference V includes defending Nassau Class A champion South Side, Hewlett,
Plainedge, Sewanhaka, Division and Malverne/East Rockaway. The Golden Tornadoes, new turf field and all, host South Side on Sept. 29 at 4:30 p.m.