Boys Soccer: Center Moriches’ Albert, back from injury, causes Southold pain
RED DEVILS 7, FIRST SETTLERS 1
Kevin Albert is a high school soccer player making up for lost time. The Southold First Settlers were the unfortunate ones to get in his way on Tuesday.
Albert, a senior forward for Center Moriches, has come back from two back injuries, one that cost him his entire junior season. This past summer he came down with a strep infection that traveled from his throat to his back, leading to a couple of surgeries.
Now he is back, and playing better than ever.
Albert’s story, first detailed on BigAppleSoccer.com, is an inspiring one. He added another chapter to it Tuesday, striking for four goals as part of a dazzling performance in a 7-1 thrashing of Southold in a non-league game at Center Moriches High School. The total gives Albert a remarkable 12 goals in three games for the Red Devils (3-0).
Center Moriches, a Suffolk County Class B finalist last year, came out charging against the Class C First Settlers (1-1). The Red Devils scored on their first three shots (two by Albert and one by Jack Wicks in the opening 7 minutes 46 seconds) and four of their first six shots. Anthony Parlato added the fourth goal off Matt Agyropoulos’ second assist of the game. Wicks, an eighth-grader, picked up a second goal for himself in the second half.
Center Moriches, which has racked up 23 goals in its first three games, allowed a goal for the first time in the young season in the 21st minute. After Shayne Johnson was taken down in the penalty area, Sean Moran shot in the penalty kick.
But it was not nearly enough against a skilled, fired up Center Moriches team that controlled possession and had Southold on its heels for much of the match.
Center Moriches would have had more goals if not for a couple of balls that were cleared off the goal line and an effort by Daniel Franchi that he sent off the right goal post.
Southold’s regular starting goalkeeper, senior John Charles Funke, watched the game from the bench in street clothes. He said he had a spasm in his left leg, but expected to be able to play later this week. Dylan Clausen, a sophomore, played in his place and had the unenviable task of facing Center Moriches’ fearsome attack.
