Revved up Gail Roquez Guerrero scores twice to lead Lindenhurst past Sachem East in AAA quarterfinals
Lindenhurst teammates celebrate after their 4-1 win over Sachem East in a Suffolk Class AAA boys soccer quarterfinal at Sachem East on Monday. Credit: James Escher
Lindenhurst senior captain Gail Roquez Guerrero recalled the bus ride to Sachem East High School Monday afternoon, noting how “hyped” everyone was as they left school.
But when the bus got closer, Roquez Guerrero said that loud chatter turned to silence.
“We all needed to concentrate on what was coming up,” Roquez Guerrero said. “The intensity of the game was a build-up of everyone working for each other.”
The passion was palpable as Roquez Guerrero’s hustle resulted in two goals off loose balls in the box to help No. 5 Lindenhurst defeat No. 4 Sachem East, 4-1, in the Suffolk AAA quarterfinal round.
Lindenhurst’s boys soccer team has a message for Suffolk after its 4-1 win over Sachem East Monday night.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) October 27, 2026
“Don’t count us out.”
But don’t take my word for it. Hear it from them after the final whistle. pic.twitter.com/UGTks95kzS
The Bulldogs will travel to top-seeded Brentwood Thursday. It continues a wild turnaround for Lindenhurst (11-6), which began the season with five losses in its first seven games.
“I think, like most kids, they think they have more time,” Lindenhurst coach Joe Riemma said. “I think they’re getting it now, that this is it. I got 15 seniors and they all know there’s no more time.”
Roquez Guerrero opened the scoring in the 9th minute, cutting in off a deflected pass from Tom Andreone. Sachem East goalie Kevin Weeks saved the initial shot, but Roquez Guerrero finished the rebound.
Weeks kept Sachem East (12-5) alive longer than most goalkeepers would, finishing with 10 saves.
“Kevin has worked really hard over the past couple seasons to develop as a leader in the back,” Sachem East coach Matt Stallone said. “I’m super proud of his senior season.”
Just 46 seconds into the second half, Lindenhurst’s Max Lombardo won a free kick just outside the 18-yard box and curled a terrific shot with his right foot around the wall into the top right corner.
Lindenhurst’s boys soccer team is semifinals-bound!
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) October 27, 2026
Highlights from the #5 Bulldogs’ impressive 4-1 win over #4 Sachem East.@NewsdayHSsports pic.twitter.com/mFDVQPP6r5
With twin brother Gianni Lombardo and fellow senior Anthony Rodriguez, Lindenhurst boasts a dynamic four-headed attacking force alongside Roquez Guerrero that has totaled 29 goals and 18 assists.
“It’s difficult to say, ‘That’s the guy I have to cover,’” Riemma said. “Because once you cover him, we’ll slide it to the other side.”
Markos Kilimitzoglou scored for Sachem East, but Roquez Guerrero netted his second goal in the 57th minute by crashing the rebound off a shot from Rodriguez.
Daurin Soler headed in Rodriguez’s cross in the 69th minute to create a three-goal lead.
“We’re here for a reason,” Roquez Guerrero said. “It’s one of the best feelings we’ve had in such a long time.”
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
