Defense helps Roslyn top GNS in Class A boys soccer semi
Roslyn goalie Ethan Rousso and sweeper Rocco D'Amelio embrace before action against Great Neck South in the Nassau Class A boys soccer semifinal on Sunday, November 2, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Rocco D'Amelio relished the challenge.
The Roslyn defensive leader was tasked with guarding a leading scorer. There were 35-mph winds. It was a county semifinal.
"I love all of that," D'Amelio said. "I just love it. I like to play at such an intense level of soccer, so this is what motivates me."
He liked the result even more.
Behind the strength of its strong defense and three different scorers, second-seeded Roslyn defeated No. 6 Great Neck South, 3-0, Sunday in a Nassau Class A boys soccer semifinal at Farmingdale State College.
Roslyn (12-1-4) will play No. 13 South Side in the final at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Hofstra.
Zach Moskowitz, usually a starter, came off the bench and scored the first goal off an assist from Kyle Galin in the 28th minute.
"I had some lack of play, which led to a little punishment," Moskowitz said. "But it made me want to score."
Josh Weisbach scored early in the second half and Galin sealed it with 13 minutes left.
D'Amelio made several key tackles while guarding Jordy Garcia, who led Conference A-I with 12 goals. Defenders Alex Goodman, Brett Hollander and Zachary Michaels made moving the ball difficult for GNS (9-6-2) by clogging the midfield.
"It's the best feeling in the world," D'Amelio said. "It's almost like posting a shutout in a final."
That's D'Amelio's new challenge.
