Bonac boys soccer may be the team to beat in Suffolk League V this year. East Hampton is 12-1 over all and 8-1 in the league, with its only loss coming in a heartbreaking 1-0 game against Amityville nearly a month ago. So far this season, the Bonackers have held all of their opponents to two or fewer goals. With their last regular-season game tomorrow at Rocky Point, they are in contention for the league title after posting two big wins last week.
On Oct. 6, the Bonackers ruined Elwood-John H. Glenn’s perfect record, shutting out the Knights 4-0 at home. The game was a thriller that was scoreless at the end of the first half.
“The first half was a tight battle between two very good teams,” said Don McGovern, East Hampton’s head coach. “During halftime, we spoke about a few things that we thought could help us. Over all, we spoke about out-working the opponent and playing quicker in the attacking third which would lead to scoring opportunities.”
Clearly the pep talk worked. Four different players lit up the scoreboard in the second half — James Velez, assisted by Liam Wilson; Esteban Diaz, unassisted; Wilson, assisted by Simon Londono, and Colton Everett, unassisted.
On Oct. 9, the Bonackers added another win to their record, beating Shoreham-Wading River 7-2 on the road. Diaz was on fire, putting the ball in the net four times and recording two assists. James Barrera, Christopher Bautista, and Bryan Pilco also scored. Hudson Tanzmann, Londono, and Steven Guerrero all recorded assists.
If ever there was a time for the team to be playing its best soccer, this is it. Coach McGovern credits the players’ work ethic in practice for the late-season wins.
“Both games were intense battles. The boys worked hard to put themselves in positions to find the back of the net numerous times in both matches and played solid team defense. Their hard work in practice has been paying off with the boys pushing each other every day,” he said.
While there is no question that Diaz was a standout in the Shoreham game, McGovern described the team’s success this season as a collective effort.
“When we have possession of the ball, we can be very dangerous moving the ball into the attacking third and creating chances to score. When the ball is lost, the boys work hard to win it back as a unit. I believe this is a core reason for our success,” he said. “I know you want names, but the team is the standout here on the great efforts from the boys who get on the field to the boys who do not get on the field in a match, because everyone’s effort in practice becomes reflective in how the team performs in a match.”
What do they need to do to keep winning once they enter the postseason? More of the same, he said.
“We just continue to work together to get better each day and focus and prepare for the next match.”
