Midfield sets tone for Lynbrook

The 2015 season was a frustrating one on the boys' soccer pitch at Lynbrook. The Owls were competitive in nearly every game, but, in the end, they always seemed to fall a goal short. The result was a 2-10-2 record.

Fast forward a year, and the Owls have figured out how to finish off games and the team is off to a positive start. After a 3-1 win against visiting Division last Friday on the new sod at North Middle School, Lynbrook improved to 4-1 overall (2-1 in Nassau Conference A2). Junior Taner Ceylan scored two goals, and senior Anthony Molina added a pair of assists to lead the way.

Coach Josh Berlin, who is assisted by Chris Caramore, thinks it’s more than talent that has enabled the team to turn things around. “One of the best attributes of this team is its unity,” Berlin said. “With 24 players, this is the largest team I’ve had. They all get along, and understand that they need to play together if we’re going to be successful. They work hard and prepare. When things aren’t going well, they put it behind them and get back to work.”

Lynbrook has strength and talent, and all three of its captains at midfield. Everything goes through Molina. The four-year varsity player, who had four goals and 10 assists as a junior, distributes the ball and shoots well. He has two goals and three assists after five games.

Along with Molina, senior Robert Sitonio (three goals and one assist) and junior Gavin Reid, who scored the game-winning goal to give the Owls a 2-1 victory over Locust Valley in the championship game of the annual Mineola Mustang Cup Tournament, form a solid group of midfielders. The win was the 100th for Berlin as coach at Lynbrook. Hard-working junior Jonathan Baltes gives the team depth at midfield.

Ceylan, a junior forward, has scored three goals in the early going of the season. A pair of sophomores, John Donaldson and Peter Hristodoulou, are fast, aggressive, and capable of finding the back of the net. Senior Kameron Lee’s goal in double overtime gave the Owls the victory in the opening round tourney match against host Mineola.

Lynbrook’s defensive unit is coming into its own. Junior sweeper Sam Tucker is the voice of the defense. The senior duo of Keefe Horgan and Antonio Vinceslao gives the group size and physicality. Senior Jake Fellows and sophomore Brandon Pekale round out the backline. 

Junior keeper Aldin Cekic is a big presence in the net. He had five saves in a 3-2 win against Valley Steam North. Sophomore Sal Cimato is more than capable in a backup role. Cimato had six saves in the Mineola win.

“We’re going to take it one game at a time, and not look past anyone or too far ahead,” Berlin said. “If we prepare well, work hard, and leave it all on the field, the results will be there. Win or lose, we move forward.”

Lynbrook welcomes in South Side on Sept. 27 at 4:30 p.m.