Playoffs the main goal for Lynbrook

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After Lynbrook snapped a 5-year playoff drought in 2019 and knocked off defending Nassau Class A boys’ soccer champion Mepham in the opening round, the Owls are relying on a strong midfield and their defensive anchor to lead another postseason push.
Senior four-year starting defender Thomas de Menezes anchors the backline in front of junior Haris Sekic and sophomore Joe Patrucci, who are sharing goalkeeping duties, coach Josh Berlin said.
“Thomas is our only returning starter on defense and we’re asking him to do a lot,” Berlin said. “He’s at sweeper now and the biggest part of everything we do at that end of the field.”
The Owls’ midfield is their strength, Berlin noted. Senior Anthony Campos leads a group that includes juniors John Schachinger and Max Casares, and sophomore Riley Fowler. Up front, its senior Michael Frank and junior Conor Lynch topping the depth chart.
Lynbrook’s girls’ program endured a rough regular season but played its best soccer down the stretch in 2019, knocking off Valley Stream Central in the first round of the playoffs on Samantha Shea’s goal and giving South Side all it could handle in a 1-0 OT loss in the quarterfinals.

Shea is one of six seniors coach Mike Palumbo is counting on. A seventh, defender Leanna Sullivan, is out for the season after suffering an injury playing basketball.
Senior captain Kayla Schwizer heads the defensive unit and is a fierce competitor who handles most of the set pieces and takes some corner kicks, Palumbo said. “Kayla does all the right things,” the coach noted. Senior Sarah Fava brings athleticism and a physical presence to the defense.
Returning in goal as a third-year varsity keeper is senior Kathryn Postiglione, the class Salutatorian whose kept the Owls close in many games with spectacular stops.
Shea is a hard-working outside midfielder with a solid two-way game. In the center, junior Olivia Vuotto is an outstanding playmaker who had 3 goals and 5 assists in 2019 on the way to earning All-Class honors. Vuotto handles the majority of corners, Palumbo said, and is creative with the ball at her feet.
Senior Alyssa Campos is one of the team’s most versatile players and will see time in the midfield and forward. Senior Heather Horowitz brings a non-stop motor to the forward group.
“Our schedule is just as tough as it was last season, but we have potential to turn a lot of heads,” Palumbo said.