Boys Soccer Preview: Yorktown Huskers

Last year Yorktown enjoyed a successful season. The Huskers earned an 11-5 mark, which got it a Class AA playoff game with Ossining, where they played a competitive contest before falling just short 3-2.

If Yorktown is to repeat that type of success this season, it will have to replace a slew of talent that graduated.

"I am looking to definitely get into the sectionals and having an above .500 record, if everyone plays well," Yorktown coach Ed Polchinski said. "I expect us to be a thorn in people's side because they might overlook us being a young team."

The Huskers do have three talented players returning who started last year. That should help get Yorktown back into the postseason again. One of those players is senior center midfielder Jeremy Katz, who was a stopper last year.

"Jeremy I expect to control the center of midfield, show total leadership on the team and hopefully be my big playmaker on the team where he will be distributing the ball," Polchinski said.

Another of those returning starters, junior Trey Patterson, is the cornerstone of the Husker defense.

"He's one of the smoothest players I have ever seen," Polchinski said. "He's just so fluid, he sees the game so well. He just glides. His skills and abilities are unbelievable as is his awareness of what's going on and how he anticipates as a defender. He's like ice, he doesn't crack or anything, nothing bothers him. He has a great temperament for being a sweeper, there is a lot of pressure back there."

Junior goalkeeper Luis Lizarzaburu has been playing soccer since his freshman year, but did not start playing for Yorktown until last year.

"He took over the starting role since he's been a sophomore," Polchinski said. "He's been improving every year. His skills have improved over 100 percent. He's a great leader in the back. He talks to all his players, lets them know what is going on. He has really matured as a goalie this year."

Polchinski said he expects a lot from the following juniors, center-midfielder Josh Woda, defenseman Greg Kozlowski and stopper Jonathan Schneider.

"Those are three returning players that didn't play a big role last year but they are going to have to be a major factor this year," Polchinski said. "They are really going to have to step it up, which I am expecting them to do and help lead our team. If they do that and they should, then we will be a competitive team."

Seniors, striker Erik Migliore and defenseman Ben Strober plus junior striker Sef Saljanin also return from last year's playoff squad and will have increased roles on this season's team.

Polchinski will also have three key newcomers in sophomores, center-midfielder Kevin Fogarty, striker Luke Saljanin and junior left-midfielder Matt Gisotfi.

"Our attitude has been very, very good," Polchinski said. "Tryouts went very well for the team. We had quite a number of people come out for the team. For varsity, we had over 36. The competitiveness was very, very strong. I believe these guys who we picked that are here now are very dedicated."

That dedication has manifested itself into a highly competitive preseason camp.

"They are all pushing each other because they are all looking to start on the team," Polchinski said. "They know if they aren't going to be there, they still have the opportunity of winning that position as long as they keep working hard. They all bought into that, they really feel strong about that."

2010 Yorktown Schedule 

Sept. 8 Ketcham 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 11 Yorktown Tournament 2 or 6 p.m.

Sept. 14 Yorktown Tournament 5 or 7 p.m.

Sept. 20 Arlington 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 22 @ Putnam Valley 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 25 @ Lakeland 7 p.m.

Sept. 28 Mahopac 4:30 p.m.

Sept. 30 @ John Jay 6:30 p.m.

Oct. 2 Mamaroneck at Yorktown 6 p.m.

Oct. 4 @ Brewster 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 6 Carmel 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 8 Somers 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 @ Mahopac 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 16 John Jay 5 p.m.

Oct. 18 Brewster 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 @ Carmel 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 22 @ Somers 4:30 p.m.