Boys soccer: Riverhead has high hopes after first summer-league season

Success on a soccer field is more than just being fit and skilled.

It’s about chemistry. It’s about knowing what the kid next to you is capable of. It’s about trust. It’s about friendship.

Every fall, Riverhead boys soccer coach Lamine Traore faced the same issues. On the first day of practice, most of the players had never played with each other. He had to figure out where everyone should play and who should start and who works best with who. Without the chemistry, it’s near impossible to build a winning program just from the pre-season practice time alone.

That will all change this year.

For the first time ever, Riverhead was offered a spot in the Town of Brookhaven summer league as a spot opened up just in time.

“Five years ago, I called in to try to get a spot in the Town of Brookhaven league for us and they told me that there weren’t any spots available,” said Craig Korobow, who volunteers his time with the soccer program. “They were reserved for other teams that have always been in the league.”

Korobow and the rest of the coaches decided to give it another try this year. They gathered all the money ahead of time and made sure they would have enough enrollment to field a team. It ended up being about $65 per player. Riverhead, though, was placed on the waiting list.

“Next thing you know,” Traore said. “We’re in.”

Not only were they in this season but they competed and made the playoffs with a 4-4-2 record, playing against some of the powerhouse teams in divisions much higher than theirs.

Playing in the second round playoff game on Tuesday against Newfield at Centereach Park, Traore’s smile never left his face. Something he’d wanted from the start since taking over the program finally happened.

“This is going to help so much,” Traore said. “Everybody knows each other and I know everyone now. I don’t need to get to know the players on the first day. I already saw what they could do and we can get right to work.”

Riverhead ended up losing the game in a penalty shootout, 5-4 as each team went scoreless through regular and extra time. But that didn’t take away what was accomplished this summer.

“We played beautiful soccer,” Traore addressed his team afterwards. “We had so many scoring chances and that’s great because now when the season starts, it will be about finishing those chances.”

Rising sophomore Darwin Villatoro is a finisher. He played forward and midfield for the Blue Waves this summer and when he touched the ball, good things just seemed to happen. He got his chance late in the first half to take the lead against Newfield. A through-ball found its way past the defensive line and Villatoro was off to the races. It was just him and the goalkeeper.

He had done it all season. But this time, his shot just missed the inside of the post and trickled out of play. Villatoro was noticeably frustrated after the shot.

“He makes that nine out of 10 times,” Traore said. “It’s part of soccer.”

He was the hero in the opening round of the playoffs against Centereach as he scored the score to send the game into overtime and then won the game with just seconds left on the clock.

“He’s going to be a special player,” Traore said. “I expect big things out of him.”

Though many didn’t participate in the summer because of other obligations such as work and club soccer, leaving a youthful Riverhead squad to compete against the best, there were a few players that opened eyes this summer.

Victor Guazhambo, Lucas Canel, David Hernandez, Angel Camarillo were those who really stepped out of the shadows this season to show what they’re capable of doing.

The best thing Traore realized by the end of the summer was that “they’re all best friends. You can see it. They play for each other and you just can’t teach that.”

With the experience the summer league has brought them, Traore wants this to be the new culture.

“Hopefully we can stay in the league now,” he said.

As for breaking the playoff drought that has haunted the program in recent history, Traore sees a light at the end of the tunnel.

“Maybe this is the year,” Traore said. “We will get these kids fit and ready to play. Everyone will see how much the summer league helped these kids.”