New territory for Long Beach

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After making program history with back-to-back appearances in the Nassau Class AA boys’ soccer semifinals, Long Beach won’t have a chance to repeat the accomplishment this fall. That’s because the Marines are now navigating the waters in Class A due to enrollment figures.
“We’re going to learn a lot about a lot of things,” coach Leo Palacio said after Long Beach’s 4-0 victory over visiting Great Neck South in Monday’s Conference A-1 opener. “We’re ready to go into new territory and today was a great start,” he added.
All four goals came in the final 30 minutes. Sophomore Anthony Camas scored the opener off a free kick. Seniors Conor Haag and Bryan Mizhirumbay and sophomore Daniel Cipra also scored. Senior Keri Saravia picked up two assists and senior goalkeeper Derek Rosario posted a six-save shutout.
“It’s going to be interesting to see how the conference plays out,” Palacio said. “We might bend a little, but we’re not going to break. I think we’re going to find out a lot about ourselves by the end of this week.”
Leading the Marines’ charge are captains Saravia, Mizhirumbay and Haag. All three earned All-Conference honors a year ago. Saravia and Hagg are lefties who’ll see time in the midfield and at forward. “Keri has a great shot and is a take-on artist,” Palacio explained. “Depending on the opponent and how the game is going will dictate where he plays.”

Haag is a slippery playmaker, the coach noted, and likes to challenge defenders. “He hits crossing passes with a purpose,” Palacio said. Mizhirumbay is in his fifth varsity season and scored a goal as an eighth-grader. “He’s beyond a veteran,” Palacio joked. “He has great field vision and is our nucleus at center-midfield. We need him to stay healthy. He’s had a few minor injuries the past two years.”
Other midfielders Palacio is counting on for big contributions include freshman Ryder Moore-Lukaszewski, a club player who keeps things simple and advances the ball well, senior Cesar Vidal, and junior Connor Corbett. Up front with either Saravia or Hagg is sophomore Arthur Quezada, who scored the team’s first goal of 2019 in a non-league tie against Baldwin. Quezada also scored in last year’s playoff win over Westbury. “He has great instincts as a forward,” Palacio said.
Long Beach’s defensive zone is comprised of all new faces. Senior Emerson Vasquez moved to sweeper after playing forward or midfield previously. He anticipates well and can get the transition game in motion. Camas and senior John Kaseogh will both log minutes at stopper, and Palacio said situations will call for employing both at the same time. Junior Ian Ochoa and sophomore Jose Martinez-Rivera are the starting fullbacks.
In goal, Rosario is a former field player who transitioned into the JV keeper last season. “He smooth, has long punts and communicates very well with the defense,” Palacio said. “He’s got the leadership you want back there.”