Kennedy throws opponents for loop

Memo to Nassau County boys’ soccer teams:

Be afraid, be very afraid when Kennedy takes a throw-in.

The Cougars can be quite dangerous to the health of your won-lost record.

Several opponents have discovered that, thanks to Jaden Waldinger's throw-ins.

Now, these are not your ordinary, garden variety throw-ins. He has the ability to toss them on precision from 30-40 yards. Little wonder the senior forward has nine assists, along his five goals.

For example, with the Cougars trailing Bethpage 1-0 with 35 seconds remaining in the match last month, Waldinger's long throw-in set up senior Jacob D'Arrigo's equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw.

"That throw-in is so dangerous," Kennedy coach Ari Bisk said. "We had a sigh of relief. We escaped with that one."

Regardless of the soccer level, that throw-in is one heck of a weapon. Bisk said that seven of Waldinger's assists have come from throws, and two others off corner kicks. Senior center back Brandon Rabinowitz has scored three goals off corners.

"Anytime there's a stoppage where one team has a moment of relaxation, you could definitely take advantage of that," Bisk said. "Jaden's throw-in, it's tough to put into words. You really have to see it. It's better than a corner most of the time.

"It's gotten to the point where coaches are telling their kids not to kick it out of bounds for a throw-in."

Bisk wanted to make one thing clear about Waldinger.

"I feel bad always talking about his long throw-in, because it's so unique," he said. "He's a phenomenal player regardless of his long throw-in or not. He's beating people off the dribble. He's fantastic."

In Kennedy's 3-2 non-league home loss to Bellport last Saturday, Waldinger scored off a 30-yard free kick in the annual Richard Daoust memorial game. The game was played in memory of the one-time Kennedy coach who passed away in 2001. The defeat snapped the Cougars' (4-2-4 overall) eight-game unbeaten streak.

Kennedy has followed an interesting trend. When they score first, the Cougars win. When its foes tally the opening goal, Kennedy has rallied to earn a draw.

"We've shown great resilience in all of our ties," Bisk said, adding that some of the games have "been very dramatic."

Freshman goalkeeper Gavin Herzog is one of the rare underclassmen who is a starter. "He is well beyond his years in his ability to communicate," Bisk said.

The Cougars also have senior defensive midfielder Dylan Cuttler, who scored versus Bellport. Cuttler has done well in stopping counterattacks. Senior Christian Maltes (four goals) is the attacking mid.

"He's the one that connects our backline to our forwards," Bisk said.

D’Arrigo is another center mid who has been on the team since the eighth grade. He has two goals, as does Max Broder.

You can see why Kennedy is difficult to beat and already has clinched a playoff berth and is aiming for a championship.

"We can compete with anyone," Bisk said. "Every game has been really close with the exception of a 4-0 win [over Levittown Division]. They're all going to come down to the wire. We could definitely make a run at it."