The 2025 Fall soccer season is now underway and the Varsity Boys soccer team began non league play last night as it travelled to neighboring Hewlett HS for what has become an annual tune up match for both sides. The Owls entered the match with high hopes of taking all the hard work put in during training week and see it translate into smart, hard-working soccer that would yield more consistent results than a year ago. With a number of players ineligible to play due to practice requirements or injury, the Owls dressed just 19/25 players for the game.

The first 20 minutes of the game was a feel out session as neither of the teams seemed to gain any real advantage or generate much offensive opportunities. The scoreless tie was broken in the 19th minute by the host Bulldogs when they found a seem on the backside of the Lynbrook defense that was slow to shift into position leaving the back post available for a shot that rang off the post and into the net past goal keeper Jake Prince (1 save).

The game picked up some steam at that point with both teams battling back and forth to try and gain some momentum in the match. The game went to half with the Owls training by 1 goal and a need to focus on keeping possession and connecting on the field. The second half opened up with a fury of hard tackles and tough plays as the visiting Lynbrook team increased their physical play. Hewlett also continued there physicality on the field leading two a number of yellow card cautions being issued to them. The Bulldogs extended their lead in the game in the 56th minute when they scored after the Owl’s second half goalkeeper Grayson Prestianni (2 saves) was left to defend a breakaway and failed to make the save and Hewlett netted the insurance goal making the score 2-0.

With the first of two non league games behind them, the Owls can now use the game as a training moment to adjust and fix some of the things they failed to execute that will hopefully lead towards a better result. The Owls will host Lawrence HS on Thursday 9/4 at North Middle School at 5:30PM.

Come out and support the team!!

Pictures from the game: https://lhssoccer.jalbum.net/9-2-25%20Hewlett%20NL/