Thursday, October 1, 2026
Hewlett’s boys’ soccer team entered the fall with optimism after last year’s dramatic eight-round penalty-kick victory against Long Beach in the playoffs. But as the season enters the home stretch, the Bulldogs are searching for consistency while being mired in their current four-game skid.
Hewlett (3-5-2, 1-5-2 Conference AA2) opened the year in style with shutouts of Lynbrook and Sewanhaka, and later edged Cold Spring Harbor, 1-0, in a non-league contest on Sept. 13 behind a long-range strike from junior midfielder Sebastian Mendoza-Reyes.
Two days later, the Bulldogs battled Roosevelt to a 4-4 draw. But since then, the losses have piled up — including a tough 4-3 defeat to previously winless Sewanhaka in the Sept. 25 rematch and a 6-1 defeat to Glen Cove last Saturday.
Hewlett coach Jesse Corben insists the record does not reflect the team’s character or potential. “We have a great group of kids this year,” Corben said. “They’re respectful, disciplined, hard-working. They’re a pleasure to be around. I enjoy going to practice every day.”
The Bulldogs are led by three senior captains: Tamir Nagar, Ryan Leguillow, and Roi Wodnitsky. Their leadership, Corben said, has kept the group together through the tough times.
“They lead by example on the field, but also at practice and off the field,” Corben said. “Even if we go down, they keep the team up and make sure we never give up. In that Roosevelt game, we were down 2-0, then 4-2, and we came back both times.”
Center forward Nagar has five assists on the season and Leguillow anchors the defense at center back. Wodnitsky is a tireless midfielder who wins balls in the air and sets the tone physically.
Junior forward Alan Trakhtenberg is Hewlett’s top scorer with eight goals and an assist, including a pair of tallies in the Sewanhaka loss.
“Alan’s our workhorse,” Corben said. “He has one speed — as fast as he can possibly go at all times. He never stops, he never gives up, and with that kind of effort, things go his way.”
Alongside him, Mendoza-Reyes controls the pace from midfield and junior winger Natanel Bargig has provided speed and creativity up front with two goals and four assists this fall.
Replacing All-County goalkeeper Matthew Fridburg was a tall order, but junior Roy Leshem has stepped into the role with confidence.
“We were very worried about that goalie position,” Corben admitted. “But Roy’s been stepping up big time. He’s aggressive in the air, catches the ball at the high point, and doesn’t give up rebounds.”
In front of him, sophomore Ron Tamir and junior Marco Caruso have grown into reliable outside backs.
The Bulldogs have scored 15 goals this season while conceding 27. Corben believes turning scoring chances into goals will determine whether Hewlett returns to the postseason.
“We’ve had the opportunities to go up on teams, and we just haven’t finished,” Corben said. “Those ties against Roosevelt and Glen Cove could have been wins.”
Hewlett hosts Lawrence this Saturday and Roosevelt next Tuesday before finishing the season with road contests against Great Neck North and Garden City.
