Thursday, October 1, 2026
Freeport boys soccer has scrapped through a grueling early schedule in Nassau Class AAA, earning a 2-3-3 record with gritty defensive play and timely offense.
The Red Devils are outside playoff contenders, but more than that, they have proven they are capable of hanging with practically anyone on their best day.
“It’s been a roller coaster of a season so far, but we're halfway through,” coach Craig Klasson said. “The boys are confident that we can get the results. We're just going to have to take each game as they come.”
Barring a 5-1 loss against Post Washington and a 7-1 blowout victory against Hicksville, Freeport has managed to keep most games within two goals. The Red Devils gave Oceanside, currently 8-0-1, its only blemish in a 1-1 draw on Sept. 8. Port Washington, currently, 5-1-2, suffered the same fate on Sept. 22.
In both draws and several other key games, junior forward Jesus Sorto was Freeport’s lone scorer, proving himself as an all-important attacking piece. While his teammates have scored a combined six goals, he has scored eight. In a 2-2 draw against Uniondale on Sept. 16, he scored twice.
“You never know what's going to happen when he gets the ball,” Klasson said. “He's electric, and he has a nose for the goal. He's scored a few free kicks in such decisive moments.”
While Sorto has provided as Freeport’s finisher, several players have had to step up to replace senior midfielder Kevin Leon, who has missed several games with an injury. The Red Devils rallied around their captain when he went down and they have continued battling in his stead.
Klasson said sophomore midfielder Kaiden Tucker has assumed a greater role in recent games and stepped up when he scored his second goal of the season in a 2-0 win over Great Neck South on Sept. 24.
Tucker is joined by junior Nicholas Leguizamon, described by Klasson as “the heartbeat of the midfield,” and senior Jose Salvatore Chicas Roque. Freeport’s game revolves around clean distribution and the midfielders have effectively been connecting both sides of the field.
In many close games, Freeport’s defense has assumed an outsized role in keeping opponents at bay. Senior Anthony Svethan Segastume has stepped up as a solid goalkeeper, while senior defender and captain Brandon Mendez has formed a potent big three on the back line with juniors Justin Nativi and Sebastian Gonzalez Tovar. Junior defender Jencarlo Ortez also chips in by marking opposing strikers.
“It always comes down to decision making,” Klasson said. “It comes down to making the right decisions in the most important moments and being consistent. And so far, they have been very, very concise with their decision making and haven't really created too many mistakes that other teams would capitalize on.”
The schedule might not get any easier for Freeport in the coming weeks, but with proper transitions and all roads leading to Sorto, the Red Devils have created an efficient system which has proven difficult to stop. Momentum can always do dangerous things down the stretch, and they are the sorts to capitalize.
Freeport hosts Massapequa this Friday at 5 p.m.
