Lynbrook aims to duplicate 2022 success

For at least the first several weeks of the Nassau County boys’ soccer season, opponents should expect Lynbrook to be nimble.

 Not just on the field, but off of it, as well.

 Due to construction of an artificial turf pitch with lights at their home field, the Owls will be forced to play their games off-site until it is completed.

 "We have a little bit of a different type of season ahead of us because our field is not ready," coach Josh Berlin said. "We're going to be a nomadic program. Training is going to be interesting."

The new field is scheduled to be finished before the end of the season. Until then the Owls will call Marion Street Elementary School or a turf field at Greis Park, a town park, home.

Coming off a solid season (12-3-1 overall) in the A Central Conference, while qualifying for the playoffs, Berlin hoped to at least duplicate that effort. The Owls won their first postseason game, only to drop a 4-1 decision to Class A finalist Garden City in the quarterfinals.

"The goal is always to make the next season, to make that postseason jump," Berlin said. "Anything can happen when everybody's got a clean sheet going into the playoffs. We are a playoff mentality team.

"It's a matter of us playing good soccer, day-in and day-out, getting off to a good strong start."

Lynbrook's strength is its midfield. Patrick O'Doherty, a four-year starter who earned All-County honors last year and who has played every field position, is expected to be the center of the attack. Marco Pantiano, an Honorable Mention All-County player who anchored a stingy defense that conceded a goal per game, a sweeper last year, was moved to center-mid. They are joined by junior center-midfielder Sam Moscheni, an All-Conference player.

Walter Martinez, a third-year varsity player, has been moved back to center back to fill the shoes of Pantiano.

That quartet will share the captain’s duties.

"They have been an outstanding group of leaders to this point," Berlin said." They really are educated as well, elevating the guys around them."

Edward Stradowski and Michael Werzinger are slated to play as flank midfielders.

Outside of Martinez, the Owls' backline is young. It will be difficult for one player to replace graduated forward Sebastian Cuenca, who was second in the county with 17 goals.

"I'm not even looking to replace that production with one player," Berlin said. "I'm looking for multiple players to step up and find production from multiple areas on the field, which hopefully will translate into the opportunity to score some goals."

Ethan Velasquez, a 6-foot, 190-lb. target player, sophomore Nick Mignella, and senior Alex Romero are among the candidates to put the ball in the net.

 The goalkeeping responsibilities will be split between senior Michael Diaz and sophomore Jake Prince.

"It will probably be by committee until one of them proves to have a hot hand, so to speak," Berlin said.