Lesko's goal lifts South Side past New Hyde Park, 1-0
South Side's Alexei Lesko controls the ball in front of New Hyde Park's Adam Priest in the Nassau high school boys soccer game. (Oct. 23, 2010) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
South Side and New Hyde Park were both shorthanded yesterday with several players missing the game for various reasons. Each team had players put in different roles than usual and excelled, but it was South Side that prevailed.
The Cyclones took advantage of an indirect kick when Kyle Morrissey tapped the ball to Alexei Lesko, who blasted a shot from 25 yards late in the first half to give host South Side a 1-0 win over New Hyde Park in a non-league boys soccer game at Hempstead Lake State Park.
"The keeper was to the right side," Lesko said, "so I put it in the left corner."
Added South Side coach Fred Paul: "It was a nice shot. He has tons of talent and when he puts it on target, he usually scores."
South Side (9-1-4) played without three key starters because of illness. New Hyde Park played without starting goalkeeper Aaron Weinstock, who was taking the ACT, and others.
Sophomore Andrew Bloomingson was brought up from the junior varsity and he kept New Hyde Park in the game with 11 saves.
"The future looks good," NHP coach Jeff Kaiser said. "He did an excellent job stepping in out of the blue against a very good South Side team."
The Gladiators play in a very competitive Conference IV and the blowouts have been rare.
"This game was setup to get a lot of guys that haven't seen time during the year playing time," Kaiser said.
New Hyde Park (8-3-3) did get some good news, though. Roslyn defeated Jericho, 2-1, yesterday to clinch a postseason berth for New Hyde Park, which plays Roslyn Tuesday to complete the regular season in a game with seeding implications.
South Side, the defending Nassau Class A champions, already clinched Conference V and is likely looking at a top three seed. The Cyclones return many from last season's team, including several that have played more of a role this season.
Morrissey, a sophomore, is included in that group. He played 10-15 minutes last season before playing more this season.
"He's blossomed," Paul said. "He wins head balls and does all the dirty work that allows Ben Tetelman and Mark Romanowski to be creative. He stays central for us and is key for us changing in the field. You watch him play and he's part of the reason why we're good."
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
Out East with Doug Geed: Wine harvests, a fish market, baked treats and poinsettias NewsdayTV's Doug Geed visits two wineries and a fish market, and then it's time for holiday cheer, with a visit to a bakery and poinsettia greenhouses.
