By:Steve Siniski
Teams are jockeying for positioning down the stretch, especially on the soccer field, where the Lady Bruins (4-6-1 overall, 2-6-1 Conference I) varsity soccer team is in line to earn anywhere from a second to fifth seed.
"The top four seeds get a bye, and the number two and number three are in the bracket away from Massapequa," Baldwin coach Don Schreier said, noting the Chiefs are one of the favorites for the New York State title, and already own two victories over his team.
Offensive conversions are a major factor in the Bruins' success. Offensive opportunities have increased in the last several games, despite an injury to leading scorer Kelly Henderson, who has scored seven of the team's 14 goals.
In their 4-1 defeat to Massapequa on October 14, Baldwin fired 14 shots on net, and the Chiefs goaltender made seven stops.
"We played well, didn't quit, and hung in there the whole time," Schreier said. "When the girls get on the field [for a game] they work hard. We played five defensive backs and that helped us limit [Massapequa's] scoring chances and angles [to get off good shots]. We played a lot better [in the rematch]. With about 15 to 20 minutes to go, they scored three goals in a six- or seven-minute span. We had our chances, but couldn''t capitalize.
With Henderson seeing limited action over the last several games, Baldwin has had to depend on more players to carry the scoring load. Over the last five games, six different players have scored eight goals, with the team winning three times. The team has benefited from the improved play of Rory Redmond, Stephanie Eatz, and Ashley Kilcommons, who have scored in the last four games.
Liz Dillon has returned to the team at center midfield after an early season illness, and the Bruins have won two of the first four games she's played in, including a 2-0 win over East Meadow on October 12.
"That win gave the girls confidence that they could play without Kelly, and that this is not a one-person team," Schreier said.
Bruins goaltender Karina Antonopoulos was a key contributor to the victory. She stopped six shots and recorded her second shutout of the year. As the playoffs approach, the strength of the the defense in general, and Antonopoulos' play in particular, will ultimately determine how far the Lady Bruins advance.
"She had a good game against East Meadow and made some good saves against Massapequa," Schreier said of Antonopoulos. "She has to play well for us to win next week, and is a big key for us.
Dillon's return has boosted the play of Kerrie Anne Deignan, Kaitlin Collica, Kelly O'Connor and Sara Dowling, with eighth-grader Amanda Rittmeier and freshman Shantaye McMorrow also making solid contributions.
Upcoming rematches with Farmingdale, Oceanside and Garden City (October 22, 4:30 p.m.) are the focus for Baldwin as it prepares for what it hopes will be a push for the No. 2 seed in the Nassau County playoffs.
