Pearl River Boys Soccer Looks to Build on Success, Finish Stronger in 2012

The Pearl River boys soccer team started fast in 2011 and charged into the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals with a 14-1-2 record.

Then a late rally fell short and the . 

Pearl River returns the talent to contend in Class A again, but will have to find a way to finish stronger this time around.

"I'm taking the 16 games (of the regular season) as getting ready for sections," said senior forward Alex Castillo. "We want to try to push it as far as we can."

"We have had great starts, but we just fall short when it matters at the end," said senior midfielder Giovanni Galvano, one of the elite players in the section. "Last year we had a great year, but we want to go farther. It can't be dominating for the first part of the season, then dropping off the second part."

Galvano made that a lot more likely when he chose to play for Pearl River over his Academy team, FC Westchester. The Academy teams had their seasons run later this year and asked players not to play high school ball.

"I chose playing for Pearl River because there is nothing like playing for your school and representing your school," Galvano said. 

"He's an elite player," Pearl River Head Coach Damon O'Keefe said. "He's an academy player and came back to play high school soccer. That was great for the program and the community. It shows how much he cares for the guys on the team and the program."

Much of the offense will go through Galvano and Castillo, who scored 17 goals last season.

"He's a scoring machine," O'Keefe said. "When all is said and done this year, Alex might eclipse 60 goals in a four-year career."

O'Keefe listed junior Chris Coughlan and sophomore Giovanni Galvano as the only other full-time starters returning, but Pearl River has plenty of experience.

"We had 10 guys who all played major minutes last year," O’Keefe said.

That includes a veteran defense led by Coughlan, who emerged as a top player during his sophomore season. Austin Maggilo takes over as the full-time goaltender after splitting time there a year ago.

Seniors Chris Beers and Rich Masley and juniors Brian Chiarello and Pat Neroda are among the returning players who saw significant time last season. Junior Matt Neroda became a starter as the season went on and junior Tyler Rudloff will step in at sweeper. Junior Tony Ortega could make an impact in the midfield.

"We know we have to make adjustments and change our style," Galvano said. "We have to play to our strengths and use the new guys in the best way we can. That mans adjusting our style as a whole and individually."

Pearl River will be tested early, opening the season 4 p.m. Sept. 4 at home against Rival Tappan Zee.

Pearl River Boys Soccer Roster

Seniors

• Artem Trusov
• Giovanni Galvano
• Jack Willock
• Chris Beers
• Alex Castillo
• Alex Jeremie
• Garvin Lee
• Mike Mastrovito
• Austin Maggilo
• Rich Masley
• Pat Muldoon
• Connor Neeck

Juniors

• Brian Chiarello
• Chris Coughlan
• Mykola Duda
• Pat Guerin
• Brian Maher
• Aidan Noonan
• Matt Neroda
• Taylor Rudloff
• Tony Ortega

Sophomores

• Vincenzo Galvano
• Chris Seiss
• Ethan Dowie