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Sports

LBHS Boys' Soccer: Veteran Squad Led By New Coach

"12 hungry seniors" head into 2011 season under Leo Palacio.

Leo Palacio, who takes over a soccer program run for over a quarter of a century by head coach Bill DeFilippis, said that his team will be doing what previous Long Beach teams have done on the soccer field: “Keeping it simple, the same 4-4-2 formation — solid soccer.”

The Marines have made the adjustment to Nassau County Conference III in 2010, and with a core group of “12 hungry seniors who want to make it to the playoffs,” said Palacio, he is hopeful that despite losing the scoring threat of Vlad Finn and the solid net play of goalie Jordan Ochs, they can find a way to build on last year’s accomplishments.

2010 RECORD: 4 wins, 6 losses, 2 draws.

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DIVISION: Nassau Conference III

COACH: Leo Palacio (first year, following retirement of 28 year head coach Bill DeFilippis) Assistant coaches: Miguel Rodriguez, John Anfossi.

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PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dylan Palacio, senior midfielder

Bryan Cruz, senior sweeper

Nick Suarez, senior defender

John Zator, senior midfielder

Manny Flory, sophomore forward

BREAKDOWN

Long Beach possesses a cadre of senior leaders — including ALl-County, honorable mention All-state Dylan Palacio — but there are young and developing players to watch for, too, including Herman Franco and Michael Mendez, Palacio said.

Nicholas Alfonso will replace two-year all conference goalie Ochs.

Sophomore Manny Flory will be tasked with providing some voltage on attack with Finn heading off to Division I collegiate play. “A kid like Finn is hard to find anywhere,” said Palacio. “Manny is going to have to fill those shoes.”

EXPECTATIONS

Long Beach is still finding its feet in a conference with many teams of similar ability, as well as a few that can be dominating.

“We have to play some top teams — JFK-Bellmore, Great Neck South, Mepham, with two all-county players returning,” Palacio said. “And there are two teams with a lot of skill and speed — Westbury and Elmont — that we’ll face. What we are going to need to do is win our home games, hope for ties away against the good teams, and do well against the teams equal to us. Those points add up quick.”

SCHEDULE

Every game is going to count for this year’s Marines, but if there’s a key game early in the schedule to watch for, it’s the Great Neck South matchup at home on Sept. 19, the third game of the season. “We have to get a win there,” said coach Palacio. Game time is 7 p.m.

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