Mineola Boys Pour 6-1 Victory Over Seaford

The Mustangs continued their stellar 2010 campaign Monday, pouring on a 6-1 victory over the Seaford Vikings in a rain-soaked afternoon at Mineola high school.

Led by two goals from junior Christian Lird and senior Marco Oliveira, the Mustang's were able to take control early and cruise to a win.

Mineola also enjoyed goals from junior Josh Hincapie and senior Joe Dores, who each chipped in one a piece. Junior Richie Forte added two assists, while Oliveira and junior Paul Sandoval each had an assist.

Head coach Paul Pereira said his team "moved the ball well" despite rain continuing to pour onto the field for the whole 80 minutes.

With the rain a factor, the Mustangs cooled any reason for concern with three quick goals to start the first half. Lird opened the scoring for the Mustangs, hitting a laser from outside the 18-yard box that netted in the top left of the goal.

Oliveira scored the second goal for Mineola shortly after, making an incredible shot from the out-of-bounds line. Chipping the ball in the air with his right foot, Oliveira put just enough spin on the ball for it to drop on the opposite side of the goal, just over the reach of Seaford keeper Mike Kalista.

Oliveira put the ball right to Dores, who took the pass and put it off his head and behind Kalista to put Mineola up three to nil on the corner kick.

"Technically, the first three goals were awesome," Pereira said after the game, adding "I think they would have scored those goals against anyone."

Senior goalie Filipe Ribeiro experienced his first real action of the day off of a Seaford cross midway through the half. With the ball rolling around the box, several kicks continued to deflect the ball before the Mustang defense was able to clear.

Ribeiro also showed off his ability to come out after an attack, charging out on a fastbreak and forcing the Vikings shooter to put the ball wide of the net.

Mineola's fourth goal also came from Oliveira, who took a rebound from junior Dan Muller's shot just outside the five-yard box and netting it past the outstretched keeper.

Seaford's Conor Anderson netted the team's lone goal off of a rocket from 30+ yards out to begin the second half. The ball found its way just over Ribeiro's hands and clanked off the top bar before dropping in.

Hincapie was able to net his first goal of the season a few minutes after, using a hesitation move to throw off Kalista before calmly netting the ball in the bottom left corner.

The Mustang's final goal came when Forte's corner bounced around inside the box before Lird was able to collect it and put it past the Vikings.

Lird and Oliveira improved their goal totals for the season to seven, while Forte was able to tie Oliveira with seven assists for the campaign. Ribeiro finished with four saves, improving his season total to 38.

For Pereira, he was impressed with how his team "finished well from the get-go" Monday. He also noted the importance of the opening trio of goals, saying that it "set the tone for the game."

Mineola returns to action Wednesday afternoon, traveling to Island Trees for a 4:30 p.m. match.