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A Few Clouds Hewlett contends for top spot
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Allie Spector, right, has six goals to lead Hewlett's offense.
Jeff Wilson/Herald
Hewlett had a brief stay atop the Conference V girls’ soccer standings until it lost a well-played game at Manhasset on Monday, falling 2-1. Natalie DeBono and Ashley Peter each scored within the first nine minutes of the second half and the hosts held on to hand snap a two-game winning streak for Lady Bulldogs, who dipped behind Floral Park and Herricks with a record of 3-2-1.
“We had opportunities within the first 10 minutes and didn’t score,” Hewlett coach Gil Kreiss said. “It’s disappointing because Manhasset was the only team we didn’t beat last year. We get them again in the last game of the regular season so hopefully that result will be different.”
Both the Lady Indians and Lady Bulldogs jumped a conference after finishing first and second, respectively, in Conference VI in 2008. Hewlett lost only two starters and came into the year with high expectations despite a tougher schedule. “I’ve been telling the girls since the first day of practice we should compete for the conference title,” Kreiss said. “We’re sitting in okay shape because nobody is running away with it. Every team has at least one loss.”
Senior forward Allie Spector picked up her team-leading sixth goal of the season with 19 minutes left in Monday’s game, but Hewlett couldn’t get the equalizer. Spector appears well on her way to earning a second straight All-County award. “I knew she’d be an offensive force and sometimes she’s matched against the opponent’s best player,” Kreiss said of Spector, who has four goals in the past three games including both in a 2-0 victory over Herricks on Oct. 1.
While Spector has provided the bulk of the offense, the defense in front of goalkeepers Samara Yegelwel and Sarah Herzberg has been rock-solid. Junior fullback Ricki Stumacher is the leader of the back row. “She’s our shutdown defender,” Kreiss said of Stumacher, who is also a weapon on throw-ins. “She’s fierce and fast and tough to beat one-on-one.” Senior Samantha Locke brings experience, speed and steadiness to the sweeper position, and junior Liz Emmert and junior Danielle Kandel have spent time at stopper. Freshman Ivy Greenbaum is working well at fullback in her first taste of varsity.
In the midfield, Kandel often spends time in the center along with senior Katie McGrath. Both are in their third varsity seasons and the latter picked up All-Class honors a year ago. “They have great vision and creativity and anticipate well,” Kreiss said. Juniors Alex Gioia (team-leading four assists) and Natalie Herzberg log most of the minutes at outside midfield, and freshmen Val DeNapoli (two goals) and Cori Hoberman have worked their way into the rotation up front along with senior Lauren Rubel, who scored the game-winning goal against Plainview-JFK on Sept. 29.
“Putting the ball in the net will be a key for us down the road,” Kreiss said.
Hewlett can gain a tie for the conference lead with a win at Floral Park on Friday.
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