By Steve Siniski
It's just their first season in Conference IV, but don't tell that to the Lynbrook girls varsity soccer team. The Owls, 2-1-1 overall, have won two of their last three games, backed by a solid offensive punch and timely goalkeeping.
"We're holding our own," coach Doreen Combs says of Lynbrook's season-opening string. "We're very evenly matched in Conference IV, not overmatched. Having nine seniors back is a big help, and so is the fact that our girls didn't have any fear heading into the season."
Before taking on Great Neck last week, the Owls dropped a tough, 2-1, decision to Bellmore JFK. "That loss was a little disappointing. We certainly could have won, but the girls found out what happens when you let down for a few minutes and allow the other team to get back into it."
Lynbrook had a, 1-0, halftime lead, but two second-half scores by Kara Kitton gave the Owls their first conference defeat of the season. Part of Lynbrook's strong start can be traced to a tight-knit group of players that has played together for quite some time.
"For many of the girls, this is their third season together," Combs said. "The biggest task we've faced is getting everyone into the same system. It's tough to adjust in the beginning, but now it looks as if everyone is getting comfortable and coming together."
But perhaps the scariest part of the Owls for their upcoming opponents is that although seniors Michele Scifo and Stephanie Rein form one of the better scoring combinations in the league, and Erika Seery is coming into her own (she had a hat trick in Lynbrook's 6-1 win over Port Washington on Sept. 11), more help may be on the way.
"Our younger players are all premier players," Combs says of Lynbrook's future stars. "They all play soccer full time, and that's been a contributing factor to some of our success."
Goaltender Carissa Palmieri has played well also, allowing just four goals this season and notching a 1-0 shutout win over MacArthur on Sept. 20. Palmieri has stopped 27 of the last 30 shots she's faced.
The Owls took on Great Neck on Sept. 26, a team they have become very familiar with. "Great Neck's a team we've seen quite often," Combs said. "They've moved up through the ranks along with us, so we've had plenty of opportunities to play them."
But Lynbrook's opponent on Sept. 28, represents a new challenge. The Owls take on Plainview, a team they have never before faced, but one that is a new conference opponent. Then, on Oct. 3, Lynbrook travels to Port Washington in a rematch of an earlier Owls win. Game time is 4:30 p.m.
In other Lynbrook Sports News...
The Owls boys varsity soccer team righted its early season ship after three straight losses with a 3-2 win over Sewanhaka. Lynbrook's John Morales scored the game-winning goal with just 3:30 to play on a feed from Victor Martinez just outside the penalty box. Goaltender Michael Meluzio stepped up and turned back 14 Sewanhaka shots to help the Owls (1-3) win their first conference game of the year.
The Owls boys varsity football team had another tough defeat on Sept. 23, dropping a hard-fought, 12-6, contest to Great Neck North. Lynbrook (0-2) trailed, 12-0, heading into the fourth quarter, but a 38-yard scoring run got the Owls on the board. Coach Joe Knoll's team was in position to tie and possibly take the lead with less than two minutes to play, but a goalline stand by Great Neck North sealed the win. The Owls hit the road for the second consecutive week when they take on West Hempstead in their only
Thursday game of the year on Sept. 28. Then the Owls return home on Oct. 7, for a matchup with Roslyn.
