45.0°,
Mostly Cloudy MacArthur unbeaten in September
When Andy Atkins took over as MacArthur boys’ soccer head coach in 2012, the Generals were coming off back-to-back winless seasons.
Two years later the Generals are one of the top teams in Nassau County and are thinking championship. The Generals entered the first full week of October at 8-0-2 with no goals surrendered in those 10 games. This comes on the heels of the Generals going 13-0 in last year’s regular season and 10-2-2 in 2012 with 10 shutouts recorded both seasons.
Atkins said chemistry on and off the field has keyed MacArthur’s success. Prior to this season many of his players banded together by dying their hair blonde. “They are like a family,” said Atkins. “They come together and they bond on and off the field.”
Helping anchor MacArthur’s dominant defensive effort has been sophomore goalkeeper Sean Lyons, who achieved a season-high nine saves in a 0-0 tie with Calhoun on Oct. 1.
“He has been phenomenal,” said Atkins of Lyons. “He is one of the top keepers in the county.”
Leading the backline in front of Lyons is senior sweeper Greg Baumstein, who is the reigning Conference AA-3 defensive player of the year. Baumstein has also contributed offensively with six points on three goals and three assists. “He commands the defense back there,” Atkins said. “Nothing gets by him.”
Aiding Baumstein in the backline are senior Dean Peluso and junior Justin Norcini. Peluso was recently named a captain joining Baumstein, Anthony Rocchio and James Barrett in the leadership role.
“They have had three very strong seasons,” said Atkins of the four senior captains. “They expect to win and their attitude trickles down.”
MacArthur’s offense has been distributed among multiple players led by Rocchio, who ranks fourth in the county in assists with seven to go along with two goals. Other Generals who have entered the scoring column include Barrett, Baumstein, Greg Barsallo, Joe Branciforte, James Breeze, Kevin Clifford, Tom Clifford, Gerard Delgrosso, Mike Gino, Dan Mehryari, Joseph Mutino, Justin Norcini, Chris Roditis and Jake Thomson.
