Moving West helps East Hampton soccer

Nick West wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, but he said he felt a little weird during East Hampton’s first few games.

The junior, who is accustomed to playing as a striker or midfielder, began this season as the starting center back for the boys soccer team. And despite being somewhat unfamiliar to all the responsibilities of the position, West played quite well.

“He’s our best defender,” said East Hampton coach Rich King, who added that West was more than willing to play defender after the loss of key graduates.

Yet as of Sept. 25, the team’s best defender is back to scoring goals — and at a rapid pace.

East Hampton switched formations only days before the season started, King said. Instead of a 4-4-2, which many high school teams traditionally use, the Bonackers now operate out of an attacking-minded 4-3-3 formation.

West began the season playing center back alongside Denis Espana in a flat back four. He was then moved to midfield, where he said he is most comfortable, on Sept. 21 in a game against St. Anthony’s. East Hampton (10-1-1) suffered its only loss of the season that day against the Friars, and four days later West was switched to attacking midfielder. King said the decision was made to generate more offense.

In six games as an attacking midfielder in the 4-3-3, West has nine goals, including the winner Wednesday with 23 minutes left in a League VI game against Miller Place.

“We like to get the ball wide a lot [using midfielders as wings], and I’m specifically good at finishing inside the box,” West said. “So when we get the ball out wide, it creates a huge gap in the middle of the field, which just gives me space to roam around and try to find an open gap.”

In the attacking formation, Donte Donegal, one of the Island’s better scorers, plays center forward, while West usually plays about 10 yards off of him.

“If we can’t get the ball wide then we try to send Donte through, and if he can’t get through he could lay it off to me and usually I have plenty of space to attempt a shot from 25 yards,” said West, who scored four goals in the playoffs last year while playing striker. “That’s how most of this is happening.”

With an aggressive attack, an even stronger defense is needed. East Hampton hasn’t missed a beat without West in the back. Bryan Oreamuno replaced West and has anchored the defense alongside Espana. The Bonackers have allowed less than four shots on goal this season, which has helped goalkeeper Nick Tulp lead Long Island with 11 shutouts.

East Hampton is the two-time defending Suffolk Class A champion, and with the players responding well to the formation change, a third title seems fathomable.

“We want to prove to everyone we are the best team in the county," West said. "I think we’ll definitely be sticking to this formation. Nobody has been able to stop us recently and we’re very comfortable with it.”