Freeport controls own playoff destiny

The Freeport boys’ soccer team enters the home stretch of the season with a long-coveted playoff berth in reach.
The Red Devils entered the week at 4-3-3 in Conference AAA with four games remaining and can lock up the program’s first postseason berth in three seasons with a.500 or better record. 
“We are in the mix for a playoff spot and we control our destiny,” said fifth-year coach Craig Klasson. “We need to string together a few wins in these last four league matches. It won’t be easy as our opponents we face are in the same position.”
Freeport rebounded from a 3-0 loss to Plainview-JFK Oct. 2 with a a 1-1 tie against Massapequa two days later thanks to a first half goal from Israel Galicia. The Red Devils then defeated Westbury 3-1 Oct. 5 on goals from Jean Mejia, Emerson Molina and Lucca Noboa along with assists from Marco Rosales and David Menjivar.
A big reason Freeport is positioned for a playoff berth is the play of Mejia, a senior captain who has seven goals and five assists on the season. The veteran striker, who is a four-year starter, has only improved this fall off an All-County junior season and Klasson said he may get some consideration for conference player of the year honors. Klasson is also getting recruited to play on the college level. 

“He has been a key component for us and is a special player,” Klasson said. “He is currently undecided about where he wants to play next season, but wherever he goes he will have great success.” 
Mejia netted two goals and two assists in a 5-5 tie with Oceanside on Sept. 21. The back-and-forth game also featured goals from Jason Villeda, Kevin Leon and Noboa.
The Westbury win was followed by a 3-1 loss to Uniondale on Saturday before a 4-2 non-league setback on Columbus Day in which Freeport led 2-0 early on. The Long Beach loss featured goals from Mejia and Garcia along with nine saves by goalie Edison Rios. 
Sophomore goalie Carlos Umanzor has stepped up big in league competition with three shutouts. Umanzor recorded nine saves in a 2-0 win at Hempstead on Sept. 27 in a game where Freeport broke through in the second half with goals by Menjivar and Galicia. He also registered five saves in the Oceanside tie.
“He has made great strides this season,” Klasson said of Umanzor. “He has made some incredible saves and continues to impress in goal. We expect him to continue to grow as a keeper and leader for our defense.” 
Freeport entered the week in seventh place in a challenging Conference AAA with 15 points behind Oceanside, East Meadow, Syosset, Uniondale, Plainview and unbeaten Baldwin. 
The Red Devils host East Meadow this Friday at 5 p.m. and then travel to Valley Stream Central Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. kickoff. The regular season concludes on Oct. 19 with a home match against Academy Charter School at 5 p.m.