HIGH SCHOOLS/Boys Soccer Preview Coaches: League I Should Be Super:

By J.P. Pelzman. STAFF WRITER. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 15 Sep 1992

Most Suffolk boys soccer coaches are calling it the “super league.” It is League I, in which, as Patchogue-Medford coach Conrad Bernatzky said, “any one of the teams could finish first or sixth.”

“This is probably the toughest the league has been since I’ve been here,” said Ward Melville coach Matt Foster, who is entering his seventh season. “It’s a battle zone. It’s going to be an exciting season.”

For those fortunate enough to be above the .500 mark, that is. (Teams must have a winning record to qualify for the playoffs.) “We open with four of the top teams in one week,” Bernatzky said. Patchogue-Medford begins its league season at home against Ward Melville on Friday. It then plays at Smithtown Monday, hosts Sachem two days later and plays at Brentwood two days after that.

“If you have a good week, you’re in there,” Bernatzky said. “If you don’t, you’re struggling right from the start. There’s no breathing room.”

The co-favorites in this league appear to be Ward Melville and Sachem. The Patriots could have the advantage because of their experience. Nine starters return for Ward Melville, including senior midfielder Ed Weber, senior forward Josh Selig and senior midfielder Kevin Ebbecke.

“We have good returning skill and speed,” Foster said. “We have a group of kids that have been together for five or six years and know each other very well.”

Sachem’s situation is just the opposite. Coach Frank Schmidt will be trying to blend talented but inexperienced players with two returning starters, senior goalkeeper Jason Lantz and senior midfielder Richie King. “We’ve had some great intrasquad scrimmages,” Schmidt said. “There’s been a lot of competition for playing spots.”

Brentwood returns six starters, including senior forward Frank Rivelli. John Bachmore, a junior midfielder, is the marquee player among Patchogue-Medford’s three returnees.

The new team in this league is a new team, period. It’s Smithtown, created when Smithtown East and Smithtown West merged into one school. Hopes are high because East was the League III champion last year and West advanced to the Class B semifinals. This team has a total of 10 starters returning.

“I’m proud of the way these kids are blending together,” said Smithtown coach Pete DiGregorio, who coached Smithtown West last year. Floyd, which is looking for more scoring, and Longwood (2-10 in league play in 1991) round out the conference.

Comsewogue Wins Tourney:

Krupinski, Joe. Newsday, Combined editions; Long Island, N.Y. [Long Island, N.Y]. 15 Sep 1992

Cory Pronsky converted a crossing pass from Rob Makros with 10:27 left in the game and Gabe DeBano added an insurance goal with 2:27 remaining as Comsewogue beat Centereach, 2-0, yesterday and won the Brookhaven Cup boys soccer tournament at Rocky Point. Cliff Lewis made 14 saves for the shutout.

In the consolation game, Justin Bohr scored on a Chris Siano corner kick at 16:22 of the second half and Mike Taolino added an insurance goal with 11:40 left as Longwood beat Rocky Point, 2-0. Scott Glibowski made 14 saves for the shutout.

Floyd 4, Longwood 0: Frank Agelis, Cosmo Stoia, Shawn O’Rourke and Ed Keskin scored. Agelis had two assists. Sept. 25

Patchogue-Medford 3, Longwood 0: John Bachmore scored two first-half goals and added his third 13 seconds into the second half. Paul Hansen had five saves for the shutout. Sept. 27

Smithtown 7, Longwood 1: Russell Leto scored three times and Vincent Giordano and Dan O’Connell scored two goals apiece. Smithtown scored five unanswered second-half goals. Steve Brennan scored for Longwood. Tom Stoll made eight saves for the win. Oct. 6

Longwood 3, Brentwood 1: Shawn Christopherson scored with 12 minutes left in the game, giving Longwood a 2-1 lead. Chris Siano tied the score for Longwood with 11:48 left in the first half. Rich Raupp also scored for Longwood (1-6-1). Scott Glibowski had 16 saves for the win. Frank Rivelli scored for Brentwood (3-3-1). Oct. 14

Patchogue-Medford 7, Longwood 0: Scottie Backman (two), Mike Campaneli (two), Chris Felice, Steve Impellizzeri and Kevin Mannix scored goals. Paul Hansen had six saves for his sixth shutout for Patchogue-Medford, which scored five times in the second half. Oct. 21

Ward Melville 6, Longwood 1: Lee Passavia (two goals), Scott Weber, Chris Estefani, Josh Selig and Dave Katz powered the Patriots (10-1) to at least a share of the League I title. Mike Poalino scored for Longwood. -Oct. 23

Smithtown 5, Longwood 4: Russ Leto (two), Jim Klouda (two) and Joe Fullone scored for Smithtown, which took a 5-1 lead. Justin Bohr, Mike Padino, Rich Raupp and Chris Siano scored for Longwood. oct. 28