By Patrick McCormack
By Patrick McCormack
Newtown is making itself right at home in Queens A East division
The Pioneers boys’ soccer team remained unbeaten in league play by defeating visiting Francis Lewis 2-0 Tuesday afternoon. Newtown was moved from Queen A West as part of the division realignment by the PSAL.
Pioneers coach Eric Wozniak sees every victory in the new league as important because of the tough competition the team faces from the likes of history proud programs like Lewis. Bayside and Cardozo. Newtown went 7-3-2 last year and lost in the third round of the playoffs
“It’s the first time for us playing in the East Division,” Wozniak said. “Every game is a battle and every opponent is tough, so every win is a big win for us.”
It earned it with plenty of help from star Anthony Baltazar. He received a pass from Aldo Hernandez and broke free all by himself. Baltazar beat Francis Lewis goalkeeper Kevin Egger to give Newtown a 1-0 advantage in the 30th minute. It was this 13th goal of the season in six games.
“Anthony is a machine,” Wozniak said. “Everything goes through him. Everyone knows about Anthony at this point. He is a positive player and our best player by far.”
The junior also created two other chances after his goal, but he fired one wide and the other went over the net. Newtown added an insurance goal in the 51st minute. Lobsang Tensin was taken down in the box and was awarded a penalty kick. The senior took advantage of the opportunity by beating Juan Diego Lopez, who replaced Eggers in the second half. Tensin was happy to help his team against Lewis (3-2).
“It was a wonderful feeling to score my first goal of the season,” he said. “Everyone is working hard and we have support, so it helps. Everyone is giving 100 percent.”
The two goals were all the Pioneers needed in front of keeper Hussein Saleh, who came up big in the final 10 minutes. The senior started in the 80th minute when he stopped Julian Cabanillas, who ripped a shot at the top of the box.
Two minutes later on a corner kick, Arturo Rodas’ header was stopped and at the 85th minute Saleh stopped his fellow goalie Lopez, who came up on a throw in from 20 yards out. Saleh, who was the team’s third string goalie last season, has impressed Wozniak.
“What he is doing is amazing me. He is a leader back there,” he said. “He is making some tremendous saves, and he has been a brick wall for us.”
Despite not finding the back of the net, Francis Lewis coach Roger Sarmuksnis sees his team coming together as the season moves long.
“When you get back to playoffs, it’s all zero-zero. Sarmuksnis said. “We may struggle a little bit in the season this year, but I guarantee you this will be a good playoff team.”
Newtown has two more games before theygo up against also undefeated Bayside at home on Oct. 6 with first place possibly on the line. The teams played to a 2-2 tie in their first meeting. Newtown isn’t getting ahead of itself.
“We are worried about Bowne to be honest with you,” Wozniak said. “Bayside is very tough, but we are going to worry about our next opponent.
