Thursday, October 1, 2026
After a subpar season, Valley Stream Central boys soccer coach Billy Miller is looking for his team to bounce back.
“I think a lot of people are motivated to put last year behind us and are excited for a fresh start,” he said.
He didn’t shy away from what the biggest changes were, from a 3-11 season to hopefully a winning, playoff-clinching season: the mentality going into the season.
“We have a group of guys who are committed to really pushing each other, and I think that was something that we were lacking last year,” Miller explained. “They’re leaving their egos at the door.”
There are several moving parts in this vehicle to make it operate smoothly, beginning with the defensive line: sophomore Edwin Piaz is set to return as the starting center back.
“He grew a lot last year playing big minutes for us,” Miller said. “He was one of our most consistent players as a freshman, which speaks to his ability, and he’s only gotten better throughout the summer.”
Nearby are Aaden Pena and Nathaniel Kolm, who Miller labeled as dependable and consistent defenders.
Then there’s returning midfielder Kristian Fajardo, who Miller said got comfortable at the position and is excited to let loose there again.
Up top, to score goals (as is needed to win games), are seniors Wayne Windson and Austin Gourdet. Miller said that the two had strong off seasons, so he is excited to see them work together and wreak havoc against opponents.
In goal there’s a unique situation: the Eagles are planning on running a rotation between sophomores Kevin Aguilero and Imran Saoud, and senior Jariel Diaz.
If you’re familiar with Valley Stream Central sports, you might have seen Diaz on the baseball diamond. He alternates between shortstop and centerfielder, but for the fall season, he donned new threads.
“Jariel is a first-year soccer player, but he’s really athletic,” Miller said. “He’s a baseball player actually and he’s giving us a shot this year. He’s looking good for us, so we’re hoping we could get Jariel as our keeper.”
The returning goalies are getting their flowers too: they were both on JV last year, both getting plenty of playing time according to Miller. It’s a unique circumstance, to play goalie “by committee,” at the Eagles’ coach put it.
The goalie situation is a microcosm of what this team is about: pushing each other to the max.
“Competition, I think, breeds success, and I think that’s one of the things that’s going to help us,” Miller said. “Bring up some of the younger guys to push some of the older kids and bring out the best in everybody, and I think that’s what we’re looking at this year.
“They understand that if we’re going to be successful, it’s not going to be one person, it’s going to be all of us together, and I think that mentality is something that everybody has bought into, and I think that’s going to really pay off for us this season,” he added.
