Syosset Boys Soccer Ready for Challenge of Massapequa

All season long the Syosset varsity boys soccer team has had a quiet and confident demeanor about them. With the regular season conference championship on the line Thursday afternoon at 4:15 at Syosset High School, it is clear Syosset knows facing Massapequa is more than just another regular season game. Syosset and Massapequa enter Thursday’s contest with under three points separating one another from first place. Earning three points with a win on Thursday and a win next Monday against 0-7 Freeport is what is separating Syosset from a regular season conference AA-1 crown.

Syosset’s only loss this season was a 1-0 defeat back on September 28th in Massapequa.

“We are not going to change our game plan from last time,” Braves head coach Brett Waxer said. “I thought our first game against Massapequa we played very well. We just have to tighten our marks on our defense.”

Waxer says the key to beating Massapequa is to match their game intensity.

“We just have to match their emotion,” he said. “Being that it’s our last regular season home game, Senior Day, and a lot riding on the game I think the kids will be ready to show up.”

Senior goal keeper Josh Haberman knows the Braves' defense will have to play a huge role in giving Syosset a chance at winning Thursday.

“We have finally found a concrete lineup,” Haberman said. “Those guys give me a chance to play my best. I think if we play our best we can beat anyone.”

Syosset in their past four games has scored an incredible 15 goals, winning all four of those games. Waxer knows that to beat Massapequa the offense needs to shine.

“I just think it’s the chemistry,” Waxer said. “Guys are really just trusting each other and that is what we are going to need.”

Senior striker Shane Mandel who enters Thursday’s matchup with nine goals this season says Syosset needs to capitalize on the opportunities that present themselves.

“This game we need to capitalize on our free kick opportunities. Also, our coaches went to their game today and recognized that they like to send two guys to the ball when they're on defense, a double team of some sort, that means a man is always going to be open on the field which means we need to switch the field and continue to have them off balance so they're not able to do that.”

For senior defenseman Reid Portnoy having an opportunity to play such a big game on “Senior day” is something he has been looking forward to.

“We are very excited to show the school that we are a county championship caliber team.”

Though technically just another regular season game for Syosset, a win against Massapequa could give the team great momentum heading into the 2012 conference AA-1 playoffs.