Amityville has finally become Warriors
Respect. The Amityville boys soccer team entered this season wanting it from opponents.
The Warriors grew tired of watching opposing teams not even warm up properly before games. They didn't want to be that team other teams fearlessly attempted harebrained plays against "just to see if it would work." They no longer wanted to see opposing coaches and players gleefully smile upon walking onto the field.
"Everybody thought we were easy wins," Amityville defender Juan Salazar said. "Teams came here to play Amityville and thought, OK, great, easy wins. They'd look at their schedules and circle two wins next to our team name."
And who could blame those teams?
Amityville finished 2-9-1 last season. In 2012, the Warriors made the playoffs for the first time since 1986, according to coach Mike Abbondondolo, but that season was looking like an anomaly. In a preseason coaches poll this season, Amityville was pegged to finish fifth in the six-team League VI.
That didn't happen, though. Instead, Amityville clinched second place with a 7-4 league record, and owns an 11-4 overall record heading into its final match of the season Tuesday against East Hampton. Win or lose, the Warriors will be in the playoffs for only the second time in 28 years.
Salazar listed some unconventional reasons behind the turnaround. There was the big FIFA video game tournament held at Salazar's house before the season started. There was the bowling event a few weeks ago, when the entire team showed up at Farmingdale Lanes. There are the sweet new practice shirts and warm-up suits the team starting wearing after their first win. Oh, and this year, the players actually don't mind talking to one another.
"There's a complete culture change here that started around late last season," said Mauricio Rivas, a senior forward and captain.
It carried over into the winter. Then to the spring. And summer. It remained when Amityville started its season again this fall.
"For the first time, we played all year together," Salazar said. "That's how our team unity grew."
So has the wins total.
"I saw a change in summer practices where guys were more devoted, more concerned about finally getting some respect," Rivas said. "The team was too young last year, with several sophomores starting."
The other difference about the Warriors this season, is that they're actually pretty good. Rivas, who Salazar calls "a monster," has 17 goals, good for eighth in the county. Ernesto Gomez and Josue Martinez patrol the midfield. The defense, led by Salazar and Jose Vasquez, owns six shutouts.
"Teams are actually serious when they play us now," Salazar said.
Finally, there is respect. But now, that's no longer enough for Amityville.
"If we stop here, that's not where we should be. I think we should be competing for the Long Island championship," Rivas said. "But if you told me that a few months ago, I would've said you're crazy."