West Hempstead relying on defense

West Hempstead boys’ soccer comes off a season which saw the Rams finish with a .500 record and a crushing 1-0 loss to Floral Park in sudden death overtime in a Class A outbracket playoff match. 

A relatively young Rams team will attempt to get back to the playoffs in 2015. Expect Cold Spring Harbor, Wheatley, Friends Academy, Island Trees, Locust Valley, and Mineola to be among the teams to beat in Nassau Conference ABC-III.

The blueprint remains the same. The Rams will look to play shutdown defense and take advantage of opportunities in the offensive end. If West Hempstead can play low-scoring affairs, coach Chris Van Kovics believes his team will have every opportunity to be successful.

“Defending our end is going to be the key,” Van Kovics said. “We’re not the same team we were in the past. We lost our keeper and a lot of senior leadership, but we have a good mix of talent. We have to avoid making mistakes that lead to scoring chances for our opponents, and put the ball in the net when we get opportunities. You don’t get a lot of chances, so when you do, you have to take advantage.” 

A pair of senior captains will set the tone on defense for the Rams. Sweeper Jason Criollo, a three-year starter, is a talented defender and terrific communicator. Stopper Steven DiMarco is a versatile player who marks his man well and can make runs.

Senior Eric Rodriguez is an excellent marker who takes away his side of the field at left back. Van Kovics lauds Rodriguez’s soccer IQ. Senior Ricardo Henriquez played well late in the 2014 season. He’ll man the right back position. 

Junior Eric Cunningham takes over in net. Cunningham, who played junior varsity as a sophomore, has a good understanding of the game and has the potential to be a solid varsity keeper.

The Rams are not blessed with a lot of height, but they get size, strength, and talent from center midfielder Dayquan Crawley. The senior captain heads the ball well and runs through opponents. Fleet-footed midfielder/forward Jared Sills, a senior captain, is quick, good with the ball, and can find the back of the net.

Junior Franklin Macario is as versatile as it gets. Macario is quick, tough, and does a lot of things that don’t show up in the box score. Senior Chris Mistretta is one of those players who always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Mistretta is a cerebral player who can set up teammates and finish.

Six sophomores will contribute. Center midfielder Urosh Dimitrijevic is a big part of the present and the future for West Hempstead. Forward Erik Szabo is quick, strong, and talented. Dimitrijevic and Szabo will both be counted on to score. Also contributing on offense will be Ackeem Jackson. The junior forward gives the team size and scoring ability.