Hopes still high for rebuilt Falcons

Despite returning only two starters from last year’s Conference A-VI championship team, Valley Stream South boys’ soccer coach Rich Boyd has set the bar high for the rebuilt Falcons.

“Winning the conference is a goal we set every year,” said Boyd, who guided the team to a 9-1-2 record against conference rivals in 2011 and No. 1 seed in the Nassau Class AA playoff tournament. “With so many new players, it’s a matter of coming together and developing chemistry,” he added. “The kids are working hard and starting to fit into spots, and we’ll see how we match up with opponents physically.”

Boyd started four freshmen — Bryant Campbell, Samori Emmanul, Lionel Monsia and Jonathan Blake — in the opening non-league game Sept. 7 at the Carle Place Tournament. Monsia scored and Blake had an assist the following day when Herricks topped the Falcons in the consolation game on penalty kicks.

“They have advanced skill levels for their age,” Boyd said of the ninth-grade group. “I like a lot of what I see, but nothing comes easy for a freshman at the varsity level. Whether or not they can consistently hang with juniors and seniors is something we’ll find out.”

Senior captains Zach Knight and Brandon Dunn are South’s only returning starters, and Boyd is looking for the duo to help control the midfield. Both earned All-Conference honors last fall. Knight, who moved from an outside spot to the middle, is quick, tough to beat on 50-50 balls, sees the field well, and likes to distribute. Dunn, who has size, strength and speed, will work as a center-back, supporting the defense with his tenacity. “Both kids have a high work-ethic and we’re looking for them to be leaders on and off the field,” Boyd explained.

Campbell started the year as an outside midfielder opposite junior Jose Rivas, who missed last season due to injury. Rivas has above average speed and skills, Boys said. “I think he would’ve played a considerable amount of minutes last year,” he said of Rivas. “He’s got a lot of potential.”