Thursday, October 1, 2026
Taking into considering bussing issues and parity throughout the county, Nassau boys’ soccer has realigned its conferences in Class A with two groupings of 12 teams each and one with 11.
Long Beach, which eliminated Kennedy and upset No. 1 South Side in last year’s playoffs on the way to the quarterfinals, will compete in Conference A-Central along with Hewlett, Academy Charter, Calhoun, Clarke, Lawrence, Lynbrook, Malverne/East Rockaway, Roosevelt, South Side, Valley Stream North and Valley Stream South.
“I like the new arrangement because last season we had some really long trips like Great Neck North,” Long Beach coach Leo Palacio said. “I got home around midnight from that one. This year’s schedule is a lot better. The competition is just as good and the road games are much closer.”
The Marines compiled a 5-4-3 record in Conference A-1 last season and peaked at the right time. Six starters return. “We had some bumps in the road and some injuries, but we played very well in the postseason,” Palacio said. “We’re hoping the momentum carries over.”
None of Long Beach’s former six conference rivals are part of A-Central in 2022 — leaving an entire new schedule to navigate.
The biggest key to success, Palacio said, is senior goalkeeper Avie Mann. He earned All-Conference honors last fall and was dynamic in the playoff upset of South Side. He stopped three shots in the penalty kick shootout and also scored the winner himself. In this year’s conference opener on Monday, Mann blanked Lynbrook, 1-0. “Having a talented goalie is like having a great quarterback in football,” Palacio said. “If Avie has a big year, so will we. He’s a vocal leader in the back and plays with confidence.”
The defense is front of Mann is a work in progress. So much so that second-leading scorer Aran Corbett is likely to move to fullback from midfield after seeing a ton of defensive work during the summer league. Corbett had 5 goals and 6 assists last fall.
“Aran played very well defensively during the summer and we have a good number of midfielders, so defense is where we need him,” Palacio explained. “He’s a hockey goalie and a rugged athlete. We’ll look for him to push the ball and for leadership.”
Senior Dennis Moreno and sophomore Braeden Konog, both JV defenders in 2021, could move into starting spots. Senior Michael Contrereas, who started at stopper, is a candidate for midfield. “Where Michael plays depends on how the defense looks early in the season,” Palacio said of Contereas, who played midfield during the summer league.
Seniors Ryder Moore and Jesus De Los Santos serve as center-middies. Moore is a two-year captain who brings playmaking skills, vision and leadership. De Los Santos, who scored the lone goal in the conference opener, has a high soccer IQ, Palacio said, and is dangerous in space given his ability to shoot hard with either foot.
Up front, senior Yeris Miranda leads the way. He had 3 goals and 5 assists last season and led the Marines in scoring this summer. “He has good size and is a proven scorer,” said Palacio, who will use junior Ryan O’Campo at forward if he’s not part of the midfield group.
