Seaford optimistic for improvement
The Seaford boys’ soccer team is still searching for its first win of the season, currently 0-3 in Nassau Conference A2 and coming off a shutout loss to Plainedge last Saturday, the Vikings still have their heads held high.
The message for the team is clear from coach Ralph Pascarella: “We just want to compete and do a little bit better than last year,” he said. “Last year was a tough year for us, this year we want to win more games and keep improving.”
To that end, Pascarella has upperclassmen like junior defenders Anthony Mitarotonda and Luke Haering to rely in to put quality work this fall and then to age like wine with extra experience for next year.
There’s also underclassmen such as sophomore brothers Justin and Dylan Hausfeld, midfielder and goalie respectively, who Pascarella said that have proven their worth time and again because of how much work they put in outside of school in extracurricular soccer as well.
A welcome challenge for the Vikings is some of the fresh blood. On the one hand, there’s junior midfielder Ryan Falta, a newcomer, who is expected to make a splash on the pitch, categorized as an extremely hard worker by Pascarella.
“He just works so hard, he’s getting better, so we’re just looking forward to seeing what he can do,” Pascarella explained.
On the other hand, there’s Matteo Qosa, who Pascarella spelled out as dedicated and driven but raw when it comes to soccer talent. “He’s just starting to get used to the speed of play, but he’ll be doing good things for the team,” Pascarella assured.
Overall, there’s an optimistic air because the goal is made clear: clear communication between all members of the team is what will ensure success.
“I think we’re a little but more organized, we’ve been talking more about systems of play and just how to be better defenders and stay connected,” Pascarella said. “Soccer is a big field, you can’t be great at one part of it and not the other. We’re just trying to connect ourselves a little bit more and stay compact when we defend, and stay compact when we go forward… if we could kid of stay together as a group, almost be connected with strings but not be connected, I think we’ll do better.”
The first person to benefit from good communication is the backstop and there’s two: the aforementioned Dylan Hausfeld and senior Dre DaSilva, both described by their coach as “very, very good” keepers. “They’re splitting time right now, as they’re both very good,” he detailed. “it’s a part that I don’t have to think about too much, which is good, so we move on to the next part of [the game].”
To hammer home the main message, both internally and externally, they’re on the upswing. Pascarella’s feeling it, now he’s waiting for everyone else to see it.
The next time Seaford takes the pitch is Thursday at home against Valley Stream South at 5 p.m.
