By TONY BELLISSIMO
“We’re going to try to wear down opponents,” Van Kovics said. “We’re going to have kids go harder for shorter periods of time. I know on varsity we can go more than 20-deep in every game. I also have flexibility because a lot of kids play more than one position.”
The Rams, who finished 7-3-2 in Conference ABC-V last fall and a game over .500 overall, have some serious holes to fill since their top two scorers, Conference Player of the Year Anthony Coker and Matt Metz, aren’t returning. Coker and Metz combined for 25 goals. “I don’t think of it as rebuilding,” Van Kovics said. “It’s more like reloading and going to work.”
Speed, athleticism and conditioning are three things the Rams are counting on to keep them competitive in a well-balanced conference with no clear-cut favorite. They’ll face Division, Manhasset, Locust Valley, Oyster Bay, Malverne/East Rockaway and Friends Academy twice apiece. “If we play solid defense, we won’t have to replace all the goals we lost,” Van Kovics said. “We’re working hard on playing good team defense. I don’t want to see us chase the ball. I think as long as everyone sticks to their role we’ll be fine.”
Proof of the team’s versatility will be in the goal. Senior Alex Levine and junior Ben Abelido are expected to get the bulk of minutes between the pipes, though forward/midfielder Jason Arasmo could also see action. “Alex is a four-year starter on the varsity and played some goalie last season, so it’s not like he’ll be shocked to be in there,” Van Kovics said of Levine, who was to get the nod in the conference opener against Division. “Ben’s another one who can play almost anywhere on the field. He made some great saves in our scrimmage against Uniondale, so that was nice to see,” he added.
Arasmo, like many others on the roster, can expect to see time at more than one position. Seniors Juan Gonzalez and Jordan Glaze and junior Joe Criollo have shown an ability to find the ball, and that makes them strong candidates to get the call at forward. But they all can’t play up front at once, so some will join talented senior Tom Crisci in the midfield.
Defensively, the Rams are led by sophomore Vinny Lopez and junior Danny Boehm. “Vinny’s quick and tough and physically should be able to handle taking care of the back line,” Van Kovics said. “Danny handles the ball well and makes smart decisions. He also has enough speed to hang with most forwards.”
Van Kovics believes if the team follows its blueprint, good things will happen. “The goal is to do something better every day,” he said.
Manhasset visits on Friday at 4:30 p.m.
Comments about this story? TBellissimo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 204.
