By Five Boro Sports
When Beach Channel wasn't invited to move up to the 'A' division following its runner-up finish last season, coach Dominick Stanco took the next best thing: a chance for the Dolphins to prove themselves in the league's Columbus Day tournament against Brooklyn 'A' power Boys & Girls.
“The guys took this as an 'A' playoff game,” Stanco said. “I told a lot of the seniors this will be the only game we get to play an 'A' team. So maybe we were up for it more than them. We used that as fuel for our fire.”
It certainly looked that way.
Channel had the appearance of an 'A' team Monday afternoon at South Shore during the seventh annual PSAL Boys Soccer Classic. Behind two goals apiece from seniors Carlos Mejia and Felix Luna, the Dolphins routed the Brooklyn A Central leaders, 4-1, getting the better of the action throughout.
The victory was yet another sign this team has what last year's lacked. Sitting comfortably atop Queens B I at 10-0-1, the Dolphins have set their sights on reaching the 'B' championship, like they did last season when they lost to John Adams.
But this time they want to finish as champions.
Stanco felt he had the players to compete in the 'A' division. He even petitioned Vito Rizzi, the PSAL soccer commissioner, at the last second. But that doesn't mean this season hasn't been enjoyable. Every single player gets along with one another, Stanco said. The Dolphins are one big family, trusting each other and sacrificing personal goals.
“The guys are serious and they put their heart into it,” Stanco said. “The seniors are leading by example.”
Here's a scary proposition for Channel's competition: The Dolphins may get even better. They knocked off Boys & Girls without several integral contributors, including senior fullback John Okoroerhun, who left with an injury in the early going. And soon, Mohamed Ghazali, a sophomore from Yemen whom Stanco felt could lead them in scoring, will join the club. Ghazali impressed everyone in tryouts, but his uncle wouldn't let him play after failing a Regents exam. He has since relented.
The key to the Dolphins, Mejia said, is that unlike last season, when one person was relied upon to supply the offense, five different players have scored at least five goals.
“We're a deep enough team this year where guys can step up,” Stanco said. “We have depth everywhere.”
Added Mejia: “This year anybody who has a chance can take it.”
All those factors have Channel thinking big as the playoffs loom. While, to a man, the emerging program feels it would not only compete in the 'A' division, but contend, there is unfinished business in its league.
“It's still in our heads,” Mejia said of last year's loss to John Adams. “We got to get back to the finals and win.”
