Boys soccer spotlight: Elliot Burgueno makes history at Ward Melville; Locust Valley soaring

Ward Melville senior Elliot Burgueno learned early in his high school career that no Patriot had ever eclipsed the 40-goal mark for his career. He made sure that no future Ward Melville boys soccer player will hear the same line ever again.

Burgueno’s first of four goals against Copiague on Sept. 29 made him the program’s most prolific scorer with 43 varsity goals. He now has a career-best 15 goals through 10 games, with at least six more games to go.

“To get [the record] at home in front of all our friends and fans, it was just a special moment for me,” Burgueno said.

Coach Rocco Vetro noted how much Burgueno has grown since becoming a starter as a sophomore, adding that “no one deserves it more than him.”

“He’s the best of both worlds and a true model of what it means to hold that record,” Vetro said. “Now he can be put on a wall of records and people can say, ‘I want to try to beat that.’

“He’ll be remembered forever as one of — if not the best — players to come out of Ward Melville boys soccer.”

Still, both Burgueno and Vetro have their eyes on making the playoffs with the best seed they can obtain. Ward Melville (5-5) faced a tough, front-loaded schedule but has won each of its last three matchups behind Burgueno and talented teammates in seniors Jack Salgado and Luke Erickson, not to mention strong contributors in senior Derek Guise and junior Myles Weber.

“We’re on a good streak; spirits are high right now,” Burgueno said. “So we’re looking to keep that going into our next game.”

Burgueno’s first varsity goal came on Sept. 6, 2022, against Comsewogue as a freshman. No matter when he scores his final goal, it will be another record-setter.

Locust Valley is ‘A’ threat

The Falcons from Locust Valley have already flown past their 2024 win total.

They went 7-6-3 last year. Their record stands now at 8-0-1. And their Nassau A-II record is first-place worthy at 7-0.

Joe Lee isn’t surprised over Locust Valley having success. The team’s 22nd-year coach has eight starters back.

“I had high expectations for the season,” Lee said. “But [I’m] certainly surprised to come away with wins all the time. We have a really tough conference.”

They’re also winning regularly despite being one of the smallest A schools.

“Being in Class B for so long, when we switched over to A — this is our third year there — we’ve seen a lot of success since moving over,” Lee said. “You always have that in your mind that you’re a small school playing with larger schools.”

So can this small school claim a county crown after bowing out in the 2024 quarterfinals?

“We were primarily sophomores and juniors,” Lee said. “So that experience is something that we certainly have hung on to and grown from. So we entered the season with that in mind, that we are a team that has the caliber to win the county.”

Stefano Linardos, a senior left wing who’s being recruited by a few D-II schools, leads Locust Valley with 13 goals, and he owns five assists.

“He is that all-around not just soccer player but leader on the team,” Lee said. “Great human being. He’s the youngest of three brothers who played for me. All three were captains for me . . . [His brothers] always told me, ‘He’s going to be the best one.’ ”

Junior striker Lucas Mejia has gone from no goals last season to 10 goals.

“He put in the work in the offseason and always had the mentality that he could be this player,” Lee said.

The Falcons have yielded one goal or less in every game. Junior central defensive midfielder Oscar Salinas, another captain, is a big reason why.

“He’s definitely the general in the midfield,” Lee said, “making sure the defense is intact, and then building out of the back comes through him.”