Malverne/East Rockaway embraces new challenge

The strides built by Robert Anderson since inheriting a Malverne-East Rockaway boys’ soccer program in 2018 coming off eight straight seasons of going winless in league play takes another leap this fall with stepped up competition.

The Rockin' Mules moved up to Conference AA and will compete against some of the top programs in Nassau County including Garden City and South Side. Malverne-East Rockaway will look to qualify for the postseason in its new challenging league for the first time in three seasons when the spring 2021 team broke through with its first playoff win in 70 years. 

“Hopefully we will be a playoff team, but it’s tough with the conference,” Anderson said. “There is a little chip on our shoulder and rightfully so as they have earned it.” 

Malverne-East Rockaway is coming off a 4-9 campaign in Conference A Central in which the Rockin' Mules were limited to a goal or less in seven games. Anderson is hoping some new additions will add a spark to the offense in 2023 led by senior Jayden Mejia, who joins the team after previously competing on the club level. Mejia, a Malverne student, averaged three goals a game during summer league competition.

Another newcomer who should give the offense a jolt is junior Matthew Philantrope, who transferred to East Rockaway from Elmont. Philantrope was one of the point getters at Elmont last year and brings tremendous speed to the Rockin' Mules attack. 

Senior Joseph Mejia is the leading returning scorer after netting eight points on four goals and four assists as a junior. The cousin of Jayden Mejia was described by Anderson as a ”field captain with great vision on the field” who navigated through constant double teams last season.

Junior central defensive midfielder Angel Landaverde will serve as captain for the second straight season and help anchor the defense. The versatile Landaverde tallied four goals and two assists in 2022.

The backline features Gerson Saavedra, Lorenzo Maione and Erich Carabajo, who moved to Malverne from Guatemala in the offseason.  Senior goalie Ryan Hayes will start in net after splitting time last season. 

“He is fearless when it comes to getting out of the net and sliding onto a foot,” said Anderson of Hayes. “He is going to challenge guys that are coming up field on breakaways and he isn’t going to wait for the ball.”

The season kicked off last week with two tough opponents in Garden City and South Side, which both resulted in 7-1 setbacks. Jayden Mejia scored both Mules goals in the defeats. 

Malverne-East Rockaway travels to New Hyde Park Wednesday before hosting Elmont next Monday at 5 p.m. Two days later, the Rockin' Mules will commence the first of four straight road games at Carey and return home on Sept. 30 to face Bellmore-JFK for a Saturday morning non-league match at 10 a.m. at Malverne High School.