Clarke part of playoff race

Clarke may be fit to be tied on the soccer field after battling to three straight 1-1 draws between Sept. 23 and Oct. 1, but earning one point each time kept the Rams in the thick of the Conference ABC-III playoff race.

Finish among the top four teams, and Clarke (2-2-5 overall, 2-1-4 ABC-III) is in and can also earn a berth by finishing with a conference record above the break-even mark. “The conference is very tough and it’s tight right now,” coach Matt Germaine said with his team in sixth place, but just six points (wins are worth three points apiece) out of first.

Strong defense and goaltending from the start of the season has kept the Rams in the playoff hunt with senior keeper Kevin Mejia ripping off three consecutive shutouts to start the campaign, including a 0-0 tie with Friends Academy, two-time defending Class C New York State Champions. A two-year starter, Mejia is athletic and quick in net and reads the ball well. “He’s been steady both years and settled in well,” Germaine said of Mejia, who only started playing the position last season.

The defense in front of Mejia is experienced, led by seniors Conor Questal, Rodolfo Chacon and Nick Courtney, with freshman Rico Dalipi on the field as an outside marking back. Through nine games, the Rams have allowed just nine goals.

The midfielders and forwards continue to work for scoring opportunities in a Clarke attack that preaches control over kicking and chasing the ball all over the field. “We stress possession, moving the ball and being patient,” Germaine said.

The facilitators at midfield include sophomores Francisco Martinez and Owen Restrepo, with Alex Reid operating as a link in the center for the forwards. Reid recently jumped into the starting lineup after filling in due to injury and playing well. Sophomore Gio Lizarazo has been a pleasant surprise with his physical play and desire to attack the ball. Restrepo has been moved to one of the center midfield spots after spending time on the outside, and that has helped generate more scoring opportunities. Sophomore Kemal Deljanin scored his first goal of the season in a 1-1 tie with Seaford on Sept. 23.

The team’s leading goal scorer, senior forward Tristan Nagel, scored Clarke’s two goals in 1-1 ties with Mineola on Sept. 29 and most recently against Wheatley on Oct. 1. A former midfielder, Nagel, who has five scores, has developed into a strong finisher inside the 18-yard line where his speed and strong foot skills help him create shots on net.  “He’s got five goal but someone else has to pick up the slack,” Germaine said.

The Rams’ final three games of the regular season include road matchups with Carle Place this Friday (4:45 p.m.) and Oyster Bay on Tuesday (4:45 p.m.). They return home for the finale against Island Trees on Oct. 16 (4:30 p.m.)