Three LI teams vying for boys soccer state titles
Brentwood teammates celebrate their second goal in the first half of the Suffolk high school boys soccer Class AA final against Commack. (Nov. 11, 2010) Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Brentwood, Sayville and Friends Academy will represent Long Island in the boys soccer state championships beginning Saturday at Middletown High School. Brentwood is making its third consecutive trip upstate, Friends Academy is the defending state Class C champions and Sayville is returning for the first time since 2007.
Brentwood has appeared in four of the last five state championship games, winning the title in 2008. The Indians will face Scarsdale (20-2) in the semifinals. It is the fifth trip in six seasons for the Indians, who are the first team to win three consecutive Long Island titles at the highest class level since Oceanside (1968-70). Brentwood is ranked No. 7 nationally in the FAB 50 ESPN RISE rankings. Scarsdale is ranked 17th.
Seniors Frank Guzman and Julio Olivares form a great tandem for Brentwood. Senior Giancarlo Luna has three goals and two assists in five playoff games and Johnathan Interiano is also a threat on offense. Irvin Flores, Carlos Alvarenga, Christian Argueta, Marvin Chinchilla and Ronald Garcia anchor a strong defense in front of goalkeeper Herson Guzman.
Scarsdale defeated Newburgh, 2-0, to advance to the state semifinals.
Sayville defeated South Side, 3-0, in the Long Island Class A championship to advance to the state semifinals. Goalkeeper Dan Scheck split time in goal during the season and also is Sayville's leading scorer with 11.
Sayville (18-1-1) has allowed just three goals all season. Defender Dakota Edwards is a member of the U.S. Academy Select U-17/18 team. Sean Fullam has scored four goals in the last three games. Travis Redding has scored eight goals, including the game-winner against Glenn in overtime of the Suffolk Class A finals. Goshen (13-3-3) is making its first appearance in the state semifinals since 1997.
Friends Academy (13-1-2) played in a conference with mostly Class B teams. The Quakers have an explosive offense led by senior forward Matt Slotnick, who has 27 goals. He scored two goals in a 5-0 win over Haldane in the Class C Southeast Regional final. Freshman Jon Nierenberg added two goals. Senior Chris Campbell anchors the defense. Senior midfielder Colin Heffron and Slotnick form a dynamic duo.
Madrid-Waddington (14-1-3) defeated Schoharie, 2-1, in overtime to reach state semifinals.
