Brentwood looking to add another title
Jonathan Interiano of Brentwood High School prepares to take a shot on goal during varsity boys soccer team practice held at the school. (Sept. 5, 2011) Credit: James Escher
The whispers were prevalent last season. Many thought the Brentwood boys soccer team graduated too many players to win its third consecutive county championship, and after it opened league play with a loss to Commack, those people looked right. But Brentwood got stronger, won its third straight Long Island championship and captured the state championship for the second time in three seasons.
With 18 players graduated and 13 returning, including only four starters, the Indians will be written off again. Although it's a junior-laded team, there is a lot of experience. Junior forward Johnathan Interiano, senior midfielder Christian Argueta, junior midfielder Mario Ruiz and junior defender Jeffrey Medina will be key players. The team has a lot of speed and can be explosive on offense.
"We always have the bull's-eye," Brentwood coach Ron Eden said. "We always have good players. A lot of these players have been a part of a state championship game. They know what it is to play in the playoffs."
Eden knows it will be a tough road, especially with senior-laden Commack and Ward Melville in the league. Commack has won the Suffolk League I title the last two seasons and ended Brentwood's 78-game league unbeaten streak two years ago.
