Carlos Cordero Leads
Finley Boys’ Soccer
Carlos Cordero was hard to contain as the eighth grade forward led the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ soccer team in goals this past fall. The Falcons compiled a 6-2 mark under head coach Matt Perlongo.
“Carlos displayed huge improvement from last year,” Perlongo said about Cordero. “He’s a very fast and dominating player.” Eighth graders Matt Gelb and Mark Rafuse were also standouts for the 26 player team.
Gelb excelled at midfield and proved to be a superb all-around player. “He has an excellent outside shot and impressive throws,” Perlongo said. The coach described Rafuse as an “unbeatable defenseman with acrobatic clears.”
Finley featured an aggressive and skilled squad that could give any opponent fits. Perlongo said his players “were very talented individuals with a bright future as they develop into a more disciplined team.”
After opening the season with a victory over Elwood, the Falcons lost to Kings Park. Finley then reeled off five straight wins, including a rematch with the Kingsmen. The final two games of the season were cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy.
Finley will have ten current seventh graders returning to the team next fall. Perlongo said he is also “excited about the sixth graders coming up.”
Falcon Notes: Finley was captained by Mike Maceluch, Chris Cordero and Thomas Goldsmith . . . 60 boys tried out for the team . . . The Falcons topped Hauppauge and split a pair of games with Kings Park.