Suffolk boys soccer preview

Many people think the run of Brentwood boys soccer is over. Appearing in four state Class AA championship games in the last five years, the Indians graduated 16 players. They do return 15 players and the core of the team has played in two Long Island title games.

Those players will take on bigger roles, but there still is plenty of talent. It certainly won't be easy because there are many good teams in Suffolk Class AA.

According to most coaches, Sayville is the favorite in Class A. In Class B, defending state champion Center Moriches returns most of the team. Port Jefferson, Southold, and Stony Brook should battle for the Class C crown and Smithtown Christian and Ross are the lone Class D programs.

Class AA

Brentwood returns 15 players. Senior forward Julio Olivares will be joined by senior midfielder Frank Guzman, who is an excellent playmaker. The defense is anchored by senior Irvin Flores and big things are expected from 6-2 sophomore Jonathon Interiano and senior goalkeeper Herson Guzman. Brentwood will have a different look compared to recent teams with four starters at least 6-2 or taller.

Half Hollow Hills West returns eight starters, including junior forward Donovan Fraser (10 goals, 25 assists), senior forward Justin Connor (16 goals, 10 assists) and freshman forward Dylan Greenberg, who was on the Under-15 U.S. team. West will score a ton of goals.

Ward Melville has just three returning starters and is composed of mainly sophomores and juniors, but the Patriots are one of the most talented teams. Leading the way are senior goalkeeper Matt Kerman, senior midfielder Christian Marcel, and senior forward Alex Guadagno. The Patriots have a lot of speed.

Newfield is a senior-laden team. Junior midfielder Sam Durkot is a three-year starter who had eight goals and 10 assists last season. He often set up senior forward Steven Lopes (11 goals). Senior goalkeeper Brandon Hiltz is also someone to watch.

Commack won the League I title and ended Brentwood's 78-game unbeaten streak last season, but lost to the Indians in the semifinals. Commack returns just three starters, but has depth. The top players are junior forward Jack Miller, senior defender Alex Joseph, and senior midfielder Adam Tamburello.

Don't sleep on Northport, which has senior forward Chris McBride and senior defender Taylor Lawshe.

West Islip has a young team with lots of talent and more depth than usual. Junior midfielder Sean Sepe is the top player along with senior goalkeeper Kyle Carrick and junior midfielder Phil Denara.

East Islip has a lot of experience with senior forward Keith McKenna (11 goals), senior midfielder Kyle Knoth, and junior goalkeeper Evan Maxwell.

Class A

Sayville has made the postseason 15 straight seasons. Leading the way is junior midfielder Dakota Edwards, one of the top players in the county. The defense is very strong, anchored by junior Jared Van Brunt and senior goalkeeper Dan Scheck.

Miller Place returns most of the team and has high expectations. Senior midfielder Jake Scavetta (10 goals, 11 assists) is the playmaker, senior forward Nick Parrella (18 goals) is the finisher and senior goalkeeper Kevin LaBarbera helped lead the team to the semifinals last season.

Glenn has 17 seniors on the roster, including midfielders Tim Caputo and Matt Toich, and defender Kyle Madden. Defense and the midfield are the strength of Glenn.

East Hampton should be able to score a lot of goals behind senior midfielder Jonathan Pineda and junior midfielder Mario Olaya.

Junior midfielder Matt Peixoto and senior defender Sean Brady hope to bring Kings Park to the playoffs for the first time since 2002.

Senior midfielder Brian Intemann and junior forward Andy Maldonado are the linchpins for a young Harborfields team.

Class B

Center Moriches returns 16 players from a state championship team. Harvey Houpe, a senior midfielder who had 12 goals and 16 assists and senior forward James Whelan (14 goals, 14 assists) form a good offensive tandem and the defense is anchored by senior Jack McGarrity.

Mattituck hopes to win its second county championship in three seasons with a team boasting plenty of size and a strong defense. Cody Huntley, a 6-4 senior goalkeeper, and senior defender Matt Waggoner anchor the Tuckers.

Southampton brings back most of the team, including junior midfielder Matias Ruiz and senior midfielder Ansley Quiros.

Class C

Port Jefferson won its first county title last season and senior forward Alex Carlacci and senior defender A.J. Racanelli lead a team that moves the ball well on the ground.

Southold's streak of four consecutive county championships came to an end last season and senior midfielder Jacob Ellis and senior defender Chris Suskevich hope to start a new streak.