Oceanside has conference title in sight

A 22-year drought might be broken by unbeaten Oceanside.

The boys’ soccer team last won the regular-season conference title at the millennium, in 2000. Last season, the team posted a 9-1-4 clip but lost out on a tiebreaker to Baldwin.

After a 9-0-2 start that has Oceanside atop the 14-team AA1 Conference, the Sailors are closing in on glory. They’re trying to hold off second-place Plainview (9-1-1) with three games left.

Oceanside is not just winning. It’s dominating, posting six shutouts and logging a goal differential 23-5. It has allowed the lowest amount of goals in the conference.

It’s a deep team, with nine players notching at least one goal and 12 guys who have posted at least an assist.

 “As cliché as it sounds, we have goals spread out the entire team,’’ coach Patrick Turk said. “This is a team where everyone’s working their butt off in practice and pushing each other. We hope the effort continues to be rewarded with the results we’re getting.’’

Even with graduation losses of midfielder David Acker, who plays at New Paltz, and goalie Scott Campuzano (Bard College), Oceanside hasn’t lacked for anything so far entering Tuesday’s match against Syosset after press time.

The top goal scorer, junior forward Giacomo Vacchio, has notched 9 scores. Senior forward Ethan Recchia is the next potent player with 3 goals and 2 assists. 

The midfield is very strong with junior Brennan Murphy whom Patrick calls “a dynamic creative player,’’ and senior Matt Brunetta. “(Matt) sets us all up in the middle,’’ Turk said. 

Junior center back Luc Brosokas is a stalwart and fellow center back Jake Christel has become a star, a returning All-Conference player. “He’s a brick wall,’’ Turk said. “He’s been a force, able to shut down every team’s threats we’ve played so far.’’

The senior goalie is Jacob Raphan, who also is captain with Christel. “They are awesome leaders on and off the field,’’ Turk said.

The backline is so deep, Oceanside employs a platoon to play everyone. Left outside back Nick Maloney, centerback Dylan Wassenbergh and Chris Pena and Lucas Natal are a fearsome foursome. “It’s a rotating brick wall,’’ Turk said. “We got guys who can sub in and play. We’ve been very blessed with how the roster came together.’’

“When our opponents scout us, the defense is up there,’’ Turk added. “But when they look further, they realize we can move the ball and make some dangerous attacks and counterattacks. That’s what frustrates them a lot. We have some guys who are dangerous at the midfield and up too.’’ 

Ironically, in the season opener at Farmingdale, Oceanside allowed two goals and nearly lost. They rallied to post a last-minute victory with Anthony Picillo scoring the game-winner.

“The resolve of the team, that’s been the absolute best testament,’’ said Patrick, in his sixth season. “ That’s how the season started for us. It’s been nothing but the same heart and grind the boys have shown that the coaching staff is proud of.’’

The regular season ends this Saturday at Baldwin, then comes the playoffs. Oceanside also hasn’t won a county title since 2000.

“Other teams look at it that way (an undefeated season), but this is not the way we operate,’’ Patrick said. “Any team can lose any day if they don’t hustle and work.  When you start saying those type of words, your eyes aren’t on the prize anymore.’’