Baldwin progressing amid challenges

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Baldwin girls’ soccer is still trying to finds its footing after being handed a major injury bug early this season.
Soon after All-Conference goalkeeper Megan Doyle was lost for the fall to a torn ACL, last year’s leading scorer Alyssa Hillian suffered the same season-ending injury. The Bruins incurred five straight losses after opening the season with a 2-0 win against Port Washington before posting a 2-1 victory at Farmingdale on Sept. 26.
“They have persevered and kept their heads up,” said first-year Baldwin coach Lee Rogers, who was an assistant with the Lady Bruins for the past decade. “Hopefully we’re starting to turn the corner.”
Baldwin got its first win in Conference AA-I against Farmingdale in come-from behind fashion with seniors Kaleena Guadalupe and Victoria Guttier netting second half goals after the Bruins trailed 1-0 at halftime. Junior goalie Kimora Bedeau helped the lead hold up with eight saves.
Freshman twin sisters Jessica and Taylor Darcy are developing as offensive leaders near the net with Guadalupe providing veteran leadership in the midfield. Guadalupe tallied Baldwin’s lone goal in a hard-fought 3-1 setback to unbeaten Syosset on Sept. 18.

“She is a very strong player in the midfield,” Rogers said of Guadalupe. “She has stepped up to the plate.”
The defense has kept Baldwin in most matches led by middle defender Brianna Lopez and sweeper Elena Randolph. After defeating Farmingdale, the Bruins stood stout in limiting Lynbrook and East Meadow to a combined two goals in back-to-back 1-0 defeats.
Bedeau has progressed throughout the season after getting thrust into the starting goalie spot after Doyle’s injury. She recorded 11 saves in a 3-0 loss to county power Massapequa on Sept. 23.
“She is improving every game,” Rogers said of Bedeau, who missed time early in the season after suffering a concussion. “She is getting into her groove.”
The Bruins were dealt an additional challenge when Bedeau went down with a concussion injury in mid-September, but Jahibo Louis stepped up strong in the backup role. The junior defender registered 12 saves in the Syosset loss with Baldwin only trailing 1-0 at halftime against one of the top girls soccer programs on Long Island.
Baldwin’s next home match is scheduled for Friday at 4:30 p.m. against Plainview-JFK. The Lady Bruins will then hit the road to face Massapequa for a night game on Oct. 17 at Burns Park before returning home to conclude the regular season Oct. 22 versus Farmingdale.
All Conference AA-I teams are guaranteed playoff spots, and Rogers is hoping his team will be playing its best soccer as the postseason commences in late October. Rogers has been impressed with how the team has gelled together through adversity to be positioned for a chance to create some fall magic.
“Come practice time you wouldn’t think we have lost a game all season,” Rogers said of the team chemistry. “Everyone is working toward the same goal.”