Kennedy reloads with youth

For the first time in a long time, it’s all about gaining on-field experience for the Kennedy boys’ soccer team. Over the last five seasons, the team has won four playoff games, including a pair of overtime thrillers and advanced as far as the Nassau Class AA semifinals.

In 2011, however, not a single starter is back on the roster, making for an almost complete overhaul in many different areas. And therein lies the biggest hurdle for the Cougars, who have started off 0-3 (0-2 in Conference III-AA) after a 4-0 loss to Herricks Sept. 14. A roster loaded with talent is learning on the fly at the varsity level and being guided by a senior class that wants to maintain the tradition of winning soccer at Kennedy.

“We’re a really young group and we’re excited about it,” coach Jason Elias said. “Most teams are going to be bigger, faster and stronger than us, so we have to be smarter and more skilled [than they are].

“The guys are willing to work hard and take the bruises to get better.”

Some of the early lumps have given Elias cause to shuffle the alignment, which now features one forward rather than the standard two. Senior Chad Fuschillo and junior Steven Bien-Aime have both seen time up front as the primary offensive weapons.

The Cougars are putting a little more emphasis on the defensive side of the field with senior co-captain Eric Friedlander lining up at center-midfield and filling the role of a two-way player. Senior Keith Safon, also a co-captain, is in the lineup as one of the outside backers with sophomores Trevor Howe and Mike Watson and junior Josh Chait also in the mix. Freshman Jake Silverman is in his first varsity season and at 5-foot-9, will only continue growing into the position.

“They pick up everything and very quickly,” Elias said, noting the year-round commitment by the players. “They understand the game, they understand the terminology and they want to improve.”

While Friedlander is expected to continue taking on dual responsibilities, sophomores Ben Rabinowitz and Hunter Brodman, along with junior Skylar Rudolfsky bear the task of playmaking once the Cougars gain possession. Rabinowitz set up senior Kevin Katz for Kennedy’s first goal of 2011 in a season-opening 2-1 loss to Farmingdale on Sept. 10.

Senior Zack Haefling, meanwhile, will play somewhere, actually, almost everywhere on a regular basis. “Wherever we need someone he’ll be there,” Elias said, noting that the versatile senior is also the backup goalie. “He’s fit, he’s tough and he’s willing to sacrifice for the team.”

The Cougars travel to Long Beach on Friday for a 4:30 p.m. start, then host Westbury on Monday at 4:30 p.m. “These are great kids that love the game and we’re having fun,” Elias said. “The freshman and sophomore group we have now is phenomenal.”