Ruiz's goal, assist help lift Suffolk
Nassau Blue-1 goalkeeper Matan Grossmann of Herricks saves a shot on goal by Suffolk Red-1 Matais Ruiz of Southampton during the Long Island boys senior all-star game at Dowling Sports Complex. (Nov. 26, 2011) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
With a plethora of talent on the field, Southampton forward Matias Ruiz stood out as one of the best.
Ruiz scored a goal and had an assist to lead Suffolk in a 2-1 win over Nassau in the first of two boys soccer Exceptional Seniors All-Star Games Saturday at Dowling College.
Ruiz impressed both spectators and scouts as 30 of Long Island's best players concluded their high school soccer careers.
"I think [Ruiz] has got great awareness," SUNY New Paltz scout Gene Ventriglia said. "[As a scout] you go to a lot of these club tournaments and you might see one or two guys but there are a great number of talented people here."
Ruiz was the spark on almost every scoring chance Suffolk produced. His patience and ball control were evident and his vision opened up passing lanes for Diego Villacorta, Yahir Terron and Milton Ferez.
After Nassau went ahead 1-0 off a solid strike from Island Trees' Mike Gronenthal, Ruiz took over for Suffolk, keeping his dribble deep in Nassau's territory. Nassau keeper Matan Grossmann from Herricks stopped most of the chances early with a few spectacular saves and booming punts to clear the zone, but Ruiz kept attacking and slid one past Grossmann with 1:17 left in the half.
Ruiz set up the winning goal early in the second half, receiving a deep clearing pass that he tapped to East Hampton's Mario Olaya, who finished with a clear path to the net.
"I try to focus on my own game and when I do everything will come together," Ruiz said. "There are very good players out there and it's great to play with them."
Eastport-South Manor keeper Jason Orban and Sayville defenseman Dakota Edwards also stood out. Edwards started the play that led to Olaya's goal, and broke up two Nassau scoring chances by cutting off Island Trees' Anthony Leonick and Gronenthal on back-to-back breakaways.
Edwards will play for the University of Maryland next fall and Ruiz is deciding between a number of division I schools, but for others the game was a chance to showcase their talents in hopes of impressing the handful of college scouts.
"I definitely want to play in college and got a great experience playing in this game," Grossmann said. "I haven't been recruited by anyone yet but if I can play at whatever school I end up in or if soccer helps me get into a school, that'd be great."
