Valley Stream South knocking on playoff door

The math is pretty simple for the Valley Stream South’s boys’ soccer team at this point.
Two wins in the remaining regular-season games = clinching a playoff berth.
And the Falcons might have unlocked the formula to get there.
A team that has struggled all season to find the back of the net made some tweaks to the forward line and it resulted in a season-high three goals in a 3-1 victory over Wheatley on Sept. 30.
The anchor of the backline, senior Sebastian Chavez, was moved up front and South opened the scoring just seconds after the opening kickoff.

Fellow senior Ray Guaman struck for the first-half hat trick, but Chavez played a pivotal role in the offensive barrage.
“He’s just such a hard-working player,” Mastrota said of Chavez. “He gives us everything every game for 80 minutes, probably our most reliable guy. It’s tough for these teams to break through the back really because of his presence back there.”
Chavez was moved back to center back in the second half in the critical late-season win. The defense has been the strength of Valley Steam South all season, which starts with goalkeeper Ethan Michel, who became the full-time starter when Jovalry Rosemond suffered an injury against Plainedge on Sept. 7.
Aidan Gordon was moved from forward to defense, which has helped solidify the backline and Iyoshua Baxter, the senior right wing back, and left wing back Corell Chance have also been instrumental both defensively and, perhaps more importantly, in kick-starting an attack that has faltered throughout much of the season.
And Leo Garces, a first-year varsity player, and Oskar Chmiel have shown their versatility in the midfield for a Valley Stream South side that is 2-4-4 heading into their pivotal final two regular season contests.
“They’ve been playing great,” Mastrota said. “They move the ball exceptionally well. We play out of the back with our [Michel] who is very smart with the ball, passing into our backs and moving it upfield. I think we excel at that.”
Both matches are home, with first-place North Shore coming up Tuesday before portable lights are brought in for Senior Night against Seaford Wednesday night.
Making the playoffs for the first time in four years would be a just reward for a team that is unmatched in its work ethic, according to first-year head coach Pete Mastrota, who has worked in tandem with Rob Tronolone, the previous head coach who remains on the staff.
“He has been an integral part of our tactics and helped develop our 12 seniors over the last few years,” Mastrota said. “It’s a great coaching partnership to have.”
Two games, two wins. And then it is a first playoff berth since 2018.
“We told the boys if you win the last three, that’s a ticket to the playoffs,” Mastrota said. “We got the first one done. Now, we have two more in front of us.”