Baldwin among many title contenders

A current group of seniors that goes eight deep deserves much credit from putting Baldwin’s boys’ soccer program back on the map following a couple of lean seasons.
The Bruins are 21-5-9 over their past 35 conference games, including a 5-0-2 mark in AAA this season as the midway mark approaches. They’ve allowed just two goals through seven matches and are shaping up to be an extremely difficult out come playoff time.
“The past three years we’ve been good enough to win the county,” coach Chris Soupios said. “The last two playoff losses we made a few crucial mistakes that knocked us out. This senior group changed the direction of the program not just with their ability but their attitudes. To have one more shot with them, you really want to see them go out on top.”
The list of county championship contenders, however, runs as deep as Baldwin’s roster. “The standings are so close,” Soupios said. “We’re at the head of the table now, but a loss or two and we could drop to sixth. In this conference it doesn’t matter who you’re playing, you need to bring it every day.”
Five of the last seven games are against teams right behind the Bruins in the standings, including a big matchup at Syosset this Saturday at 4 p.m. All but two of their games are on the road this season due to ongoing construction of a new turf field at the high school. It will host Senior Day Oct. 19 against Uniondale at Oceanside Park and Soupios is hopeful any playoff games Baldwin is the lower seed can be played at a neutral site.

“We’re traveling more than any other team, but it hasn’t been much of a disadvantage,” Soupios said.
If the defense and outstanding goalkeeping of senior Josue Ascencio (35 saves, 5 shutouts) keeps up, finding some secondary scoring down the stretch and into the playoffs is Baldwin’s lone question mark. Senior two-time All-County selection William Zelaya is doing all the heavy lifting on offense so far with 5 goals and 4 assists.
“I’d like to get more goals and we have the guys to do it,” Soupios said. “Our defense has been better than expected and we have the best goalie in the county in my opinion.”
Zelaya was moved to forward to fill a void and he’s done that and more, the coach noted. “He’s 100 percent effort and attitude and can take over a game and put it on his shoulders,” Soupios said.
After Zelaya, Baldwin has nine others with one goal apiece. Juniors Nathaniel Hernandez and Justin Valle, and sophomore Emilzon Lovos are candidates to break into the scoring column. Senior Christian Smalling has been a shutdown presence in a midfield that includes junior Robert Bautista and sophomore Erick Ramos.
Defensively, senior Brady Mahler anchors a unit getting major contributions from senior fullbacks Justin Williams and Darius Ikechewku, sophomore Joshua Cantre and Oscar Garcia Chevez.
In goal, Ascencio is “locked in,” Soupios said. “He’s been incredible and does all the little things it takes. He gives us a chance every game.”