Monday, November 10, 2025
The North Shore boys’ soccer team has enjoyed a lot of success in the past two seasons. But until Sept. 27, the Vikings had not beaten Lawrence.
Victory finally was achieved as North Shore topped Lawrence, 1-0, with Henry Cardoza scoring the game's lone goal. It was the first victory over Lawrence in five years.
While Cardoza shined in his return from an injury, the hero of the Lawrence win was senior centerback Amos Wright, who time and again disrupted the Golden Tornadoes' attack.
"Defense doesn't get praised enough but his play was praiseworthy,'' North Shore coach Mike Bishop said.
The Lawrence triumph plus a 4-0 domination of Seaford on Sept. 29 has the Vikings in an enviable position in Conference A2 at 4-1-2 – second place behind unbeaten Locust Valley.
"The victory meant a lot to my whole team, especially to my other two captains Lorenzo (Riccuitti) and Henry,'' Amos Wright said. "We haven't beaten them in the four years since we've been playing varsity soccer.''
Last season, North Shore advanced to the Nassau County Class A semifinals, losing to eventual state champion Floral Park. But Bishop wasn't sure what 2025 would bring for the Sea Cliff/Glen Head program after losing seven starters.
Wright's dazzling defense, fellow backliner Colin Davison's steadiness and the reliable goalkeeping of first-year starter Finn Duffy has given Bishop more hope. The coach always knew he'd have a dynamic up-front tandem of Cardoza-Riccuiti.
"He reads the game really well,'' Bishop said of Wright. "He's not the tallest guy. He's a very smart player and snuffs out everything. He times his tackles and is everywhere on the backline. He puts out a lot of fires. It's impressive.''
Wright was in the right spot all game against Lawrence, anticipating moments to make a play, when to step in for a tackle or taking the ball out of the air and moving it out.
"I think I was good at containing the game,'' Wright said.
College soccer is on Wright's radar as he's garnered interest from Division III programs, RPI and University of Rochester. His academics obviously is stellar to be considered at those schools.
"I've been playing since I was 3, 4,'' Wright said. "It's basically been my whole life. When I was younger, I dropped all my other sports to play it. I'm playing at the highest level I can (in club soccer). It means everything to me.''
Wright played some midfield last season but Bishop needed him on the backline. But he didn't have Wright for the semifinals against Floral Park because of an injury.
Another contributor to North Shore's big start is a midfielder/defender Kaiden Smith.
"My expectation is to go all the way,'' Wright said. "We have a stronger team this year that's more connected. We could win out.''
Next up is Plainedge. "I've becoming more and more optimistic as the season goes on and players come back from injury,'' said Bishop, noting Cardoza missed a few games. "I do think we'll be able to contend.''
