Hewlett Girls Soccer Getting Ready for 2011 Season

The Hewlett Girls Soccer team is preparing for another season with high hopes of not only making the playoffs, but advancing into later rounds in 2011.

Hewlett had an up-and-down season in 2010, finishing with a 4-5-3 overall record in Conference II. The Bulldogs snuck into the playoffs as a 16-seed, eventually falling to top-seeded South Side in the first round, 2-0.

Hewlett will be under the guidance of 12th-year head coach Gilbert Kreiss and 11th-year assistant coach Vinny Tetro. The Bulldogs have made it to the playoffs each of the last three seasons. 

“We are going to figure out who can take on the leadership roles this year. Certain players are really stepping up so far,” Kreiss said. “The goalkeeper and defense are solidified. Now it’s about how we will control the game and who will put the ball in the net.”

Hewlett graduated some key players from last years’ team, including Dani Kandel, Alex Gioia and a pair of defenders in Liz Emmert and Ricki Stumacher. This year will feature a new crew of experienced players at both midfield and up front at forward.

Junior Ivy Greenbaum, who has been a varsity starter since ninth grade, will play at sweeper. The defense will be led by returning senior Sammy Schecter and senior goalkeeper Samara Yegelwel, also a member of varsity since ninth grade.

“We have had a really good track of making it to the playoffs, but the long term goal is to make it to the playoffs again,” Schecter said. “I think one of the things we need to overcome as a team is making up for the great talent we had last year and putting our own talent in there.”

Greenbaum will be joined on the offensive side by juniors Val Denapoli and Cori Hoberman, as well as sophomore Gabby Schwartz at forward.

“We need to work as a team and are doing really well. We want to win playoffs and succeed as much as we can,” Greenbaum said. “We communicate really well, so I think that will really help.” 

In 2011, Hewlett will compete in Conference IV due to recent realignments from last season. Top competition this season for the Bulldogs figures to be Jericho, Valley Stream South, Roslyn and Lynbrook.

Hewlett will play its first league game on Tuesday on the road at Roslyn at 4:30 p.m. After one more road game, Hewlett will play its home opener against Lawrence on Monday, Sept. 19 at 4:15 p.m. in a non-league match-up. 

“There is a core from last year that understands how we play," Kreiss said, "now it is about elevating and understanding each given role.”