V.S. Central in command early

It’s known in show business as being “on.” During downtime there’s frolic and fooling about – but when the lights come on so does the game-face.

Putting on a show with its veteran roster, the Valley Stream Central girls’ soccer team has had no trouble getting into character on cue, rolling to six straight victories – the first five via shutout – to open the season in Conference AB-6.

Eleventh-year coach Mike Caputo, initially wary on noting his club’s markedly unstressed demeanor, has himself begun to relax as the Lady Eagles (6-0 in league and overall) continue to prove they can flip the switch at the whistle.

“This is a fun-loving group that likes to keep things light,” said Caputo, whose team went 8-2 last season in AB-7, losing a postseason play-in game against conference champ Herricks in overtime. “I thought at first they were a little too relaxed, more than I’m comfortable with. But I’ve seen how they turn it on and produce, so now I’m just rolling with it.”

Production-wise VSC has shown workmanlike consistency, tallying four straight 6-0 wins after taking revenge with a 2-0 downing of visiting Herricks to open the season. In a league showdown Monday, VSC knocked off rival Clarke (5-1 in AB-6) in a doubt-erasing 7-1 road win to clear the roost atop AB-6. With four tallies in the contest, Britney Russell overtook All-Conference Lady Eagles forward Natalie Mendoza (eight goals, 10 assists) – a fellow junior – for the team lead in goals with 11.

“Britney’s exciting to watch,” Caputo said. “She’s gotten very good at finishing. Natalie’s even better than she was last year. Her skills are awesome.”

Third-year goalkeeper Olivia Nelson – a 2017 All-Conference selection who missed out on the honor last season when VSC’s stingy defense afforded precious few save opportunities – had been flawless through five starts before facing Clarke, and now owns a 0.16 goals against average. Center backs Kayla Rivera (junior) and Catherine Valdez (senior) – with help from senior outside midfielders Ariadne Morales and Nayeli Melgarejo – once again have sharply limited the senior goalie’s workload.

“Our defense has been so good, Olivia has to stay and practice after games to keep from getting rusty,” Caputo said. “Not much action, but she’s been solid. Kayla and Catherine work so well together, the other team hardly touches the ball. Also, our midfielders are workhorses.”

Making a wide and immediate impact as VSC’s lone non-returning starter, eighth-grade forward Alyssa Santiago has stepped in on offense with three goals and six assists, allowing the advantageous reassignment of former forward Morales. “As soon as Alyssa stepped on the field for first practice, I knew she’d fit right in with the older girls,” Caputo said. “She quickly became one of our top players.”

Caputo concluded: “When it’s time to take care of business, these girls stop messing around. They’re focused on winning the conference and winning in the playoffs. With our talent, it looks like one of our best chances in a while to do that.”