North Shore unbeaten in 11 straight

If North Shore boys’ soccer coach Mike Bishop wins a coach-of-the-year award, the voters could cite his strategic maneuvering when his unbeaten Vikings faced Valley Stream South on Oct 8. 

The Vikings entered their match versus VSS unbeaten. Still, Bishop wasn’t satisfied. He decided to make a tactical change when he shifted his solid midfielder Henry Cardoza up to the front line to join North Shore’s lone sniper, senior Lino Leighton. 

The move worked perfectly as North Shore erupted for five goals in the second half after trailing 1-0 at halftime. Its 5-2 road victory placed North Shore at 8-0-3 – on the verge of winning the Conference A2 championship. 

Leighton had two goals. More tellingly, Cardoza posted two goals and three assists in the new formation. Bishop made the move after Sea Cliff/Glen Head unit had recently beaten Wheatley just 1-0 and settled for a recent 0-0 tie versus Plainedge.

“When you have Lino up there, it’s almost like he’s isolated,’’’ Bishop said. “Teams figure out how to double team. Our offense seemed a little flat and stagnant so we put up a second forward. (Cardoza) is a good technical player. It worked out for us.’’

North Shore was to face a non-league game vs. Massapequa Oct. 14 then finish up its regular season Oct. 16 against Island Trees with the conference championship at stake. Second-place Lawrence fell from the unbeaten ranks last week in losing to Plainedge. 

 “I Iike the comeback win (against VSS),’’ Bishop said. “It showed we have character. I like the way we reacted. We have very good players but we can grind it out as well, play tough defensively and we’re getting goals at the right time.’’ 

Defense/goaltending has been North Shore’s calling card, though Leighton’s season has been spectacular. He has 12 goals and five assists – second in the conference in scoring. 

 “I’ve performed really well but my teammates have been setting me up for this success,’’ Leighton said. “I wouldn’t be able to score those goals without the other crucial players on the team.’’

Leighton mentioned midfielders Griffin Pinter (3 goals, 5 assists), Cardoza and Lorenzo Riccuiti. 

The all-field play of Leighton has the coaching staff most excited. “He’s not only scoring goals, he comes back to midfield and helps us close out the game,’’ Bishop said. “He drops back like a center midfielder. He’s an all-around good player, can play anywhere on the field. We use him as a striker but can use him anywhere.’’

Leighton feels the unbeaten record is excellent, but believes the Vikings are even better than 8-0-3. 

“It’s something to be proud of, but. I think three of the ties could’ve been 100 percent wins,’’ Leighton said. “We dominated those games but got unlucky. It’s a game of bounces. We hit a bunch of posts’’

The solidness in goal has been key with the goaltending giftedness of Tristan Segal, in his first season playing the position. Segal has allowed 7 goals all season and saved a penalty kick in the 1-0 squeaker over Wheatley. “He continues to come up big,’’ Bishop said.

Last season, North Shore finished second in its conference and were eliminated in the first round. “Last few years, we haven’t been able to break out of the first round,’’ Leighton said. “I feel this year is different. There’s something special — an energy in the practices that feels different. It’s a good feeling.’’