Oceanside focused after finals run

Last season the Oceanside boys’ soccer team made it to the Nassau Class AA championship game and in 2023, it is looking to take a county title home.
The season is off to a bit off a bumpy start after the Sailors dropped their first two matches against Baldwin and Farmingdale by one goal each. These were hard-fought games that could have swung either was so there is no cause for alarm.
Oeanside coach Patrick Turk is still confident in his squad and believes they can do great things this season.
“We’ve had some awesome games so far,” Turk said. “We play in what I like to call a power conference and almost every game turns into a nail-biter. There are no easy opponents in this league, but we’re steadily making improvements while coming together as a team.”
The captains for Oceanside are midfielder Luke Brosokas and forward Anthony Picillo.

“It’s great to have their leadership and to have both of them pushing the team to be better,” Turk said. “The guys, they’re really supportive of each other and it’s so easy to tell that everyone has bought in to what we’re trying to build here. Luke and Anthony are our captains, but I can easily name ten more guys that are interested in leadership positions and that’s what I love about this group.”
The Sailors have three stars returning to the pitch in Giacomo Vacchio, Brennan Murphy, and Dylan Wassenbergh. Oceanside will rely on this trio’s skills and experience throught the entire season. Vacchio is the most prolific goalscorer on the team who will also add some assists when needed.
“[Vacchio] was a team leader in goals last year and finally got his first of the season in our second game,” Turk said. “There’s still some chemistry that’s being built with half of our team being new this year, but that’s no cause for concern. We know our opposition and we know that we can roll with them.”
Murphy and Wassenbergh both play in the midfield with Murphy helping lead the offensive charge while Wassenbergh is more of a defensive force.
Starting in goal is Joe Zweben with Lucas Natal and Alex Boller being the primary defenders in front of him.
Parker Roth, Sean Mahoney, Derek Gromling, Jesse Cohen round out the rest of the lineup and are key contributors all around the board. Roth, Mahoney and Gromling are offensive contributors up top with Vacchio and Picillo while Cohen is a bit of a utility man who can play on the offensive and defensive side of the ball.
“We’re excited to rotate guys in and showcase that we have more than eleven really good players,” Turk said. “This group is so talented and they’re all such hard workers. As the season progresses I think the rest of the league will look at us as a threat.”
Oceanside will look for their first victory when it takes on Westbury at home on Tuesday after press time.