Soccer: Locust Valley Secures Nassau Title in Coach's Final Season

Locust Valley boys soccer players secured the Nassau Class A championship on Saturday, capping the 23rd and final season for head coach Joe Lee. The second-seeded Falcons defeated No. 4 Plainedge 5-0 at Farmingdale State, ensuring their coach departs as a county champion for the second time in his tenure.

The Falcons had established themselves as a dominant force this year, finishing the season with a 14-2 record. Their path to the title game saw them overcome various hurdles to reach the top of the Class A standings. Meanwhile, Plainedge also concluded a strong campaign, ending its run with a 10-4-4 record despite significant roster changes and injuries throughout the year.

Lucas Mejia, who finished the season with 23 goals, controlled the first half of the final. He converted a penalty kick in the 25th minute to put the Falcons ahead 1-0 at halftime. The lead held until the second half, when Mejia extended the advantage with a left-footed strike in the 62nd minute. Two minutes later, he scored his third goal with his right foot, completing a hat trick.

John Guarderas provided the final two goals for Locust Valley. His contributions closed out the 5-0 victory, confirming the Falcons' status as county champions. Coach Lee, who is stepping down to spend more time with his family, credited his players for their focus during the final week of preparation. He noted that the team consistently expressed their desire to win the title for him.

Mejia described the team dynamic as familial, stating that he lives and breathes the sport. He emphasized that the victory meant everything to him because his teammates are like brothers. Plainedge coach Jason Cinelli acknowledged the difficulty of the season, citing a young roster and players unavailable due to MLS NEXT commitments. He praised his squad for achieving a successful year despite those limitations.

The Falcons will now shift their focus to the Long Island Class A championship. They are scheduled to face Glenn at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Mitchel Athletic Complex in Uniondale. This contest offers the team an opportunity to add a regional title to their county hardware before the season concludes. Lee will watch from the sideline as his final squad pursues this last objective of the year.