Expectations remain high for Spartans

Coming off a season which saw Valley Stream North finish with a league record of 8-2-2, just two points behind Conference VI champion Hewlett, the Spartan boys appear to be primed for a run at a conference title. Despite losing the nucleus of a team that was beaten by Mineola in the opening round of the Nassau Class A playoffs, North will again be one of the teams to beat in Conference VII.

Dave Aguado, who earned Conference VI Coach of the Year honors in 2009, brought back a solid unit. “We lost a lot to graduation, but we have some talented players returning,” Aguado said. “We’d like to have a good season, and hopefully earn a home playoff game.”

The return to enrollment-based scheduling should bode well for the Spartans. Conference VII should be relatively competitive. North (1-0-1) competes with Mineola, North Shore, Island Trees, Floral Park, Seaford and Clarke. Mineola and Island Trees also figure to vie for the league crown.

The player that makes the Spartans go is senior captain John Sabal, an honorable mention All-County selection as a junior. The center-midfielder can pass, score, control the ball, and shut down an opponent’s best player. Marvin Eveillard is an excellent complement to Sabal. Eveillard, who also serves as one of the team’s captains, has excellent techniques and can find the back of the net. The junior midfielder scored in each of the first two contests. 

Senior Jeff Cole and freshman Quentin Sathasivam round out the midfield. In last Friday’s 3-0 home victory over Seaford, Sathasivam scored his first career varsity goal.

North has a talented striker in senior Luigui Aquino. In an opening non-league 4-4 tie with Valley Stream Central, Aquino scored three goals. He has four goals and an assist over the team’s first two games.

The back line should be one of Valley Stream North’s strengths. Junior sweeper Ivan Dorador, who earned All-Conference honors as a sophomore, is the glue to North’s defense. Junior stopper Dondre Irving is a very physical player who wins most 50-50 balls. Both Dorador and Irving are captains. Sophomore Lerthon Theuma should have a big impact in his first year with the varsity squad. Theuma plays strong on-ball defense, and will draw the opponent’s fastest forward.

North boasts two capable goalkeepers. Senior Angel Urbina, the more experienced of the two, and senior Erik Lind, the more athletic of the two, will split time in net. Urbina and Lind combined for five saves in the shutout win over Seaford.

North will find out what it is made of by playing four games over six days, culminating with a non-league road game against Lynbrook on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. at Lynbrook South Middle School. On Friday, the Spartans welcome Mineola for a 4:30 p.m. start.