Sports
2011 Preview: Sachem North Boys Soccer
Roster turnover and a key injury add up to a challenging season for the boys soccer team, as they navigate through a difficult schedule.
Head Coach: Chris Russo
2010 Record: 3-12-1 in League II
2011 Pre-season ranking: 6th in League I
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Top Players
- Kyle Nasso, senior midfielder
- Brandon Arango, sophomore
- David Reyes, senior defender
- Ryan Beierle, junior midfielder
- Tameam Shewa, senior forward
Key Losses
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- Marlon Peregrina, junior forward; injury
- David Stroh, All-County midfielder
- Chris Weilbacher, All-Conference defender
Position Breakdown
Sachem has lost three key players at different positions, two to graduation and one to an injury. Already without All-County midfielder David Stroh and All-Conference defender Chris Weilbacher due to graduation, Sachem North coach Chris Russo goes into this season without All-League sensation Marlon Peregrina. The junior forward injured his knee in a summer league contest and will miss the entire 2011 season.
“Everything seems to be coming together nicely,” Russo said, sarcastically.
It’s a reminder that Sachem has an uphill climb.
Without Peregrina, Russo’s offensive punch will be delivered by a group that includes Kyle Nasso and Tameam Shewa. “I’m counting on [Nasso] as a leading scorer,” Russo said, “and Shewa, we can really use a big year from him.”
Defensively, Reyes will anchor a back line that Russo will look to for setting his game plan.
“We want to possess, the ball. I want us playing tough, hard-nosed defense,” he said. Seniors Christopher Parisi and Nate Rosengrant, and juniors Eric D’Alessandro and Matthew Rosado will see playing time on the backline.
Who ends up playing goal is still in question, with seniors Greg Hawson and Ryan Miller, and junior Brian Armstrong, all competing for the top spot.
“The situation in goal will be interesting,” Russo said. “Whoever performs best will play.”
Russo likes what he’s seen thus far from his players, both in terms of attitude and skills. “We’re going to make strides this year,” Russo said. “It’s a team heading in the right direction. Some of our more talented players are just hitting their varsity development.”
Expectations:
Ranked sixth out of eight teams in their new League I grouping, Sachem will have its hands full trying to turn around recent struggles. (In 2009, they went 3-8-1 in league play.)
“Our goal is to make the playoffs,” Russo said. “It’s gotta be. You shouldn’t show up if you’re not trying to make the playoffs. We need to get seven wins.” Seven wins will give Sachem a .500 record, the threshold for playoff selection.
Of their 14 league contests, six are against New York State champion Brentwood, highly-regarded Ward Melville and always tough Commack. “We’ll work our way through this minefield of a schedule and go with a mindset to steal a game or two,” Russo said.
Key Games
- September 20 @ Commack
- September 24 @ Sachem East
- September 27 vs. Ward Melville
- October 10 vs. Brentwood
