Ainbinder, Dadiego boost Baldwin
Baldwin attacker Mike Ainbinder is pressured by Port Washington defender Joe Mele. (March 29, 2012) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The season is young but already Brett Dadiego has had his mettle tested. The Baldwin goalie has had to make critical saves in a pair of one-goal victories over Kellenberg and Hewlett.
"When a goal goes in I almost get upset like 'why didn't he save that one?'" Baldwin coach Rich Garguilo said. "Our expectations are that if sees it he's going to save it. He's that good."
Dadiego had 17 saves, but his teammates made his job less stressful Thursday as Mike Ainbinder scored four goals and Austin Valenti added two goals and two assists in an 8-5 win over visiting Port Washington in Nassau Conference I boys lacrosse.
"Today we came out, won by a few, which was nice instead of winning by one goal," Dadiego said. "It's going to give me a heart attack at some point. The defense played really well in front of me, gave me easier shots to stop."
Dadiego was tested from the start as Port Washington dominated possession in the first quarter but trailed the Bruins 2-1.
The Vikings (1-3) took a 3-2 lead with consecutive goals in the opening 3:21 of the second quarter, the second coming from Princeton-bound midfielder Jake Froccaro (two goals, one assist) on a shot that bounced past Dadiego.
But Baldwin defender Derrick Darnulc did an exceptional job of limiting Froccaro's chances throughout the game.
Ainbinder tied the score at 3 when he fired a rocket past Nick Ferrero (six saves) with 5:45 left in the second.
"Mike knows where to put himself to get his hands free," Garguilo said. "When he shoots it, it's scary when he shoots it."
Baldwin (3-1) took over the game in a 4-0 third quarter.
Jared Warner went down the left side and cut back toward the goal, where he found Ainbinder cutting down the lane with 6:53 to go to make it 5-3.
"I saw him sliding back and I saw a lane and filled it at the right time," said Ainbinder, who scored three in the third quarter. "We kind of made eye contact and he fired it right through there."
Port Washington scored a pair of goals to cut the gap to 8-5 with 2:06 left but didn't get any closer.
