Baldwin looks for playoff return

With 14 seniors and some talented sophomores on the roster, Baldwin boys’ soccer coach Mike Palumbo has a positive outlook for 2015 after the Bruins struggled to a 2-6-2 finish in Nassau Conference AA-II a year ago.

“It’s been a frustrating last couple of years not making the playoffs,” Palumbo said. “Last year we missed out because of a tiebreaker, but a lot of things didn’t go our way. 

“We’re not used to missing the playoffs,” he added. “Our goal is to get back, but it’s not going to be an easy road with the schedule we play.”

With Elmont moving to Class A due to decreased enrollment, the Class AA conferences were rearranged and now go four-deep. The top three finishers in each of the four AA conferences will qualify for the playoffs, plus any team .500 or better (not including non-conference games.)

Baldwin faces AA-II rivals East Meadow, Hicksville, Farmingdale and Oceanside twice apiece, and each of the Conference AA-IV teams (defending county champion MacArthur, Long Beach, Mepham, Calhoun and Great Neck South) once.  

“I always feel like we’ve got potential,” Palumbo said. “We still play two of the toughest teams in the county, Hicksville and Farmingdale, twice, so we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.”

The coach describes third-year starting center-back Carlos Padilla, who was Honorable Mention All-County as a junior last season, as the “heart and soul” of the Bruins. “He’s strong and physical and has very good speed,” Palumbo said. “He’s our defensive leader and we’re going to count on him to do it all.”

Sophomore Christian Gauthier comes off a big season for the JV squad and at 6-foot-plus gives the unit a height dimension that Padilla doesn’t, Palumbo said. “Christian increased his speed and improved his touch on the ball,” Palumbo said. “He’s got a bright future.”

Senior Jack Thibault, a four-year varsity performer, is versatile enough to play anywhere but is likely to start at left fullback. “Jack goes 110 percent all the time,” noted Palumbo, who added the right fullback job is senior Dominic Francois’ to win or lose. Sophomore Juan Gordillo has varsity experience and can contribute on either wing.

Hard work during the offseason has senior Mario LaMacchia ready to assume the starting goalkeeper role. Pushing for playing time is sophomore Malcolm Bell, the JV starter last season and a travel team stopper. “We have two capable goalkeepers,” Palumbo said.

The offense is led by seniors Isaiah Welsh and Eric Boci at forward. They bring a combined seven seasons of varsity experience, and Welsh found the net five times a year ago. “They’re both fast and dangerous,” Palumbo said. “I can’t imagine us not generating offense.”

Baldwin’s midfield was bolstered by the return of senior Alessandro Garcia to the program. He’ll be a factor at both ends, and leads a group that includes senior Aidan Broderick, juniors Leo Vanegas and Tyrese White, and sophomore John Gamble. “We’re a different team with Alessandro on the field,” Palumbo said. “He sees the field as well as anyone and is a strong distributor and finisher.”