Malverne/East Rockaway turns the page

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When you lose a career 100-goal scorer, as the Malverne/East Rockaway girls’ soccer program did when Kailey Hyland graduated from ERHS three months ago, finding a way to generate offense becomes priority No. 1.

So far, and unless something changes dramatically, Lady Rockin’ Mules coach Joe Lores plans on getting a balanced effort. Last Saturday morning, sophomore Mimi Bilardello and freshman Julia Brienza found the back of the net and freshman Emma Keller assisted on both goals as Malverne/East Rockaway defeated visiting Sewanhaka, 2-1, in a Conference ABC-VI match.

“It’s life after Kailey and we’re getting better as we go along,” said Lores, referring to moving on from dynamic 103-goal scorer Hyland. “I don’t know if there’s anyone who has scored that many goals on Long Island. We have to find a way to make up for some of that production.”

The Lady Rockin’ Mules stand at 2-3 in conference play and 2-3-1 overall with big tests upcoming this week against Lawrence and Clarke. All remaining home games will be held at Malverne. The team to beat in ABC-VI appears to be Valley Stream Central.

Lores’ forward group is a work in progress but offers hope for the future. All three are freshmen. Brienza is a quality finisher, Keller is showing signs of being a playmaker, and Sabrina Ramharakh is undersized but can do a little bit of both, Lores said. “They’ve gotten their jitters out and realizing it’s just a soccer game,” he said. “Having three freshmen play together will pay dividends over the course of the next three years.”

Ramharakh and junior Ayeisha Lawrence scored twice apiece in a season-opening 5-1 victory over Roosevelt. Brienza added a goal and an assist. Brienza also had assists against Elmont and Hempstead.

Center-midfielder Samantha Clare is one of only three seniors on the roster and also a captain. She’s a returning starter with strong knowledge of the game and brings a pass-first mentality. “She’s like having a coach on the field,” Lores said. “It’s big having her experience in a key position.”

Bilardello is a three-sport athlete who attends East Rockaway and one of the leading scorers through six games. She’s an energetic outside midfielder, while juniors Lauren Cronin and Lucy Temple are both contributing on the opposite side.

In the back, captain Hunter Vertuccio, a senior at East Rockaway, is getting acclimated to her new role as goalkeeper. She’s a former defender and a fourth-year varsity player. She had 25 saves in a loss to Herricks. “She’s our best athlete,” Lores noted.

The starting defense consists of sophomore Princia Ulysse at sweeper, junior Ashley Guaman at stopper, and senior Jocelyn Lovera and junior Marilin Flores at fullback. Ulysse and Lovera are physical defenders.

Sophomore Kenda Chinchilla and juniors Karolyna Villegas, Kayla DeLaCruz and Jackie Cruz also contribute in various parts of the field. “Nobody has one position tagged,” Lores said. “The girls know they could be asked to play anywhere they’re needed. And everyone plays.”