Finley Boys’ Soccer Blue Battles Foes

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ soccer “blue” team battled its foes hard in all 10 games. Win or lose, the 26 player strong squad kept the pressure on the opposing defense. Indeed, Finley scored 13 goals in games that it lost and was never held scoreless in any contest.

Coached by Huntington High School physical education teacher Alexander Nelson, Finley was led by eighth graders Richie Palma (striker; 10 goals), Evan Murillo (left wing; two goals), Jean Carlos Garay Araujo (center midfield; two goals) and Noah Garcia (right wing).

“Richie was our leading goal scorer on the A line,” Nelson said. He was the striker the team could depend on, getting a goal or two in every game. Evan played on the left side with Richie. They were a scary combination and tough to deal with for opponents. A lot of Richie’s scoring chances started with Evan.”

Jean Carlos Garay Araujo was Finley’s lead attacking center midfield. “JC did a great job controlling the middle of the field on the attacking side,” Nelson said. “Noah Garcia was a significant threat on the right side of the field. He did a great job at taking defenders on the right side and generating scoring chances through crosses.”

The highlight of the season came when Finley turned around a 6-2 early season loss to Commack-Gold and battled to a 2-2 deadlock in the season’s penultimate game.

“The team is full of a lot of talented players,” Nelson said. “I look forward to see the eighth graders contribute to the high school program next year. I am even more excited to see our current seventh grade players take over next fall.”

The top returnees look to be Angel Contreras Rodriguez and Felix Flores Lopez. “I look forward to seeing what they can do as eighth graders,” Nelson said.