Thursday, October 1, 2026
Just three days into the school year, Uniondale boys soccer coach Cohen Nelson was faced with a problem. Right after its season opener, a 2-2 tie with Great Neck South, a widespread disciplinary issue made its way through the team.
He decided to take action,
“I’m trying to grow young men,” Nelson said. “Somebody has to step in. I look beyond soccer. I’m a stickler for discipline.”
As a result, Nelson also decided to strip the captain’s armband from two of his players.
“That piece of cloth does not make you a captain…it’s just a representation of what the captaincy is,” Nelson said. “It’s a wakeup call so I think collectively they got it.”
Uniondale, off to a 2-3-4 start, looks to put the early season distractions behind it and make a run for the Conference AAA playoffs. Last season, the Knights reached the quarterfinals but lost to Syosset 1-0.
Nelson has high expectations for his club. The team is loaded with talent, but being a great team comes down to consistency, discipline and a strong work ethic.
“We do have the talent but I think the x’s and o’s that I’m working on right now are the mental x’s and o’s,” Nelson said.
Among the talented players on the team is senior goalkeeper and captain Chris Galvez.
“His issue was that he was very quiet,” Nelson said. “But for the past three or so games, his vocal presence and his leadership have stepped up and I’m very proud of that.”
Also on the backend are senior defender and captain Diego Mejia along with senior defender Carlos Palacios, a rock for the team through nine games.
“Mr. Consistent all season,” Nelson Said. “His work ethic. His overall demeanor. Just a wonderful young man.”
Senior forward Oscar Gomez tallied his first goal of the season in last Thursday’s 2-2 tie with Massapequa. He’s a player that always gives 100 percent.
“Tremendous effort,” Nelson said. “Never has a dry shirt when he comes off the pitch.”
Nelson also praised senior midfielder Elian Ulloa, sophomore defender Exar Quijada, and junior midfielder Joshua Martinez who also scored in the tie with Massapequa.
“This young man…he has it all,” Nelson said. “If he should show his true potential, there’s nobody like him in the league. He’s a brilliant young man.”
Looking ahead, Uniondale will visit Valley Stream Central this Friday before hosting Farmingdale on Oct. 6.
The Knights have reached a crossroads in their season.
“There are two scenarios,” Nelson said. “You cannot make the playoffs or you can scrape into the playoffs and win the whole thing. I think we can get in the playoffs and I think we can be one of the most dangerous teams in the playoffs.”
If Uniondale can come together and become a selfless club that communicates and sacrifices for each other, then it can go as far as its talents can take it which could be deep into the Nassau Class AAA playoffs.
