The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ soccer team compiled a perfect 6-0 record. The squad was an offensive and defensive powerhouse, outscoring its opponents 37-1.
Coached by Travis Smith and Alex Nelson, Finley was captained by Jerson Contreras-Moreira, Carlos Marroquin and Justin Villatoro.
Marroquin led the team with 12 goals. Colin Lennon scored six goals and Contreras and Villatoro both netted four goals. Antonio Leotta and Charles Polak scored three goals each. James Vohs, Parker Wands, Keegan Malone, John Reyes-Alvarez and Rudis Villatoro Benitez also scored goals this year.
Finley goalkeeper corps consisting of Nick Plachta, Edgar Vidal-Villalba and Vohs combined to record five shutouts.
“We had a great overall team effort,” Smith said. “Everyone contributed to the team’s success. We were led by an explosive offense, a playmaking midfield, strong defense and goaltending”
Marroquin, Villatoro, Wants, Leotta, Reyes-Alvarez, Polak and Zachary Schnitzer proved to be the team’s top forwards. Contreras, Lennon, Villatoro Benitez, Connor Fox, Jonathan Morales, Angel Salvador, Luke Wesnofske, Christian Luca, Xavier Garcia and Max Carino were among Finley’s best at midfield. The top defenders were Jayden Schneider, Bradley Contreras, Kenneth Cano Soto, Anthony Rivera, Raul Ortega, Chase Gadaire, Ryan Scanlon, Alex Bonilla and Malone.
Smith counts Finley’s 3-1 victory over a very talented West Hollow team as the highlight of the season.
Finley was never seriously threatened this year. The squad claimed wins over Northport-White (6-0), Candlewood-White (7-0), Lindenhurst-White (7-0), West Hollow-White (3-1), East Northport-White (7-0) and Lindenhurst-Green (7-0).