Challenging slate for Long Beach

Coming off a magical run to the Nassau Class AA boys’ soccer semifinals a year ago, Long Beach is competing in what longtime coach Leo Palacio described as its toughest conference ever.

“As soon as I saw the conference breakdowns, well before the season started, I couldn’t believe how strong a group of teams,” Palacio said. “It’s by far the strongest conference we’ve been a part of. You can’t turn your back on anyone and I know all the other coaches feel the same way. Good teams are going to miss the playoffs.”

The Marines, who won a dynamic 5-4 penalty kick shootout over Great Neck North in the playoff opener last fall and upset No. 3 South Side, 3-0, in the quarterfinals, are facing defending Class AAA county champion East Meadow, Baldwin, Jericho, Mepham, Great Neck South and MacArthur twice apiece in Conference AA-1. Both East Meadow and Baldwin dropped because of enrollment.

“There’s already been fireworks and there will be plenty more,” said Palacio, who noted the Marines graduated 10 off last year’s roster. “Anyone can beat anyone on any given day. Every point is going to count. There are going to be days you’ll be happy with a draw and take the point and move on. You can’t look beyond the next game in a conference like this.”

So far, so good for Long Beach. After battling Mepham and Baldwin to draws, the Marines notched their first conference victory of 2024, 4-1, at Great Neck South Sept. 11. Junior Nick Amantea scored twice and senior Ryder Heitefuss and sophomore Dominic Mendoza added a goal apiece. Junior Josias Saravia collected a pair of assists.

“Great Neck South is the team everyone has been talking about,” Palacio said. “I reminded our kids where we were going and the results Great Neck South had so far. They had beaten Westbury and East Meadow already. We practiced the previous two days on grass to prepare for that field and we played very well in the second half.”

Mendoza’s goal was a header off a long throw-in from senior Jayden Zarro, who is back playing his natural position of midfield after spending last season at keeper and leading Long Island with nearly 100 saves. “We needed a goalie last year and Jayden stepped up,” Palacio said. “He’s a solid midfielder and his throw-in is a weapon. He’s also fast and covers a lot of ground. We use him in the middle and on the outside.”

Zarro was also the penalty kick hero in last year’s playoff win over Great Neck North, scoring the deciding goal after making a clutch save.

Long Beach’s new keeper is senior Matthew Nunez, who started for two years at the JV level. “He’s doing well so far and we have confidence in him,” Palacio said. “He’s a leader and a good communicator.”

Heitefuss is an All-County returnee and the team’s top all-around talent, Palacio said. “He’s a serious playmaker and he’ll play midfield and forward,” the coach noted. “He’s great in open space and was one of the county’s leaders in goals and assists.”

Other key pieces include senior Braeden Konop, an All-Conference defender moving from fullback to sweeper, sophomore center-midfielder Gavin O’Grady, and freshman defender Esnayder Velasquez.