Boys soccer: Hudson Valley College I.D. Camp provides a chance to see and be seen
Mike Dougherty
Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Time and attention are hard to come by in a pandemic.

A number of restrictions continue to impact the recruiting process, but nearly 30 coaches from men’s soccer programs within driving distance of Mamaroneck High School spent part of the weekend in the bleachers evaluating hopefuls from Section 1 and Section 9.

There were 70 players from the region on hand for the Hudson Valley College I.D. Camp, working to make an impression.

“It’s definitely important to be here,” Byram Hills senior midfielder Bailey Goldstein said. “Plus it’s a chance to play a bunch of different positions against a bunch of kids I haven’t played against before. It definitely raises the morale. It was a bummer we couldn’t have done this earlier, but I’m glad to be part of this. It’s probably a little bit late for me, but I am looking to playing in college so whatever opportunity I get, I’m going to do everything I can.”

The camp is typically held over three days in July, but was postponed by the COVID-19 shutdown.

It’s a venture coordinated by Lakeland coach Tim Hourahan, Somers coach Brian Lanzetta and Mamaroneck coach Rich Becker.

Field closures forced a last-minute site change.

“It was a scramble,” said Hourahan. “Thank God for Mamaroneck. We usually have college coaches on the field running parts of the camp, but they wanted to see the kids play as much as possible, so we changed up a little.”

High School soccer players from throughout the Hudson Valley scrimmage during the 2020 Hudson Valley College ID Soccer Camp at Mamaroneck High School Dec. 13, 2020. College coaches were on hand to watch the high school soccer prospects during the two day showcase.

A chance to be seen at full speed inspired prospects from Albany to Long Island to reach out for information on the camp. Organizers turned 30 players away.

With seniors coming back to play a lost season, college coaches are being selective.

“That impacts how many spots we have to offer the kids,” Plattsburgh State coach Chris Taylor said. “We don’t have many spots to fill so it’s going to be a smaller recruiting class, which allows us to be pickier and maybe a bit more deliberate.”

A number of coaches are not allowed to be on the road yet.

“Early on, there were a lot of restrictions and there wasn’t much soccer to watch,” Taylor said. “It’s been difficult. We’ve looked at a lot of video and talked with a lot of coaches trying to do it that way so it’s been really different.”

Hourahan is providing updates to recruiters stranded by the pandemic.

“Some of them have asked for video and I’ll reach and let them know who had a good weekend,” he said. “It’s been a long spring, summer and fall for all of these kids, so just to have a weekend like this is magical. If nothing else, it’s a chance to compete with a lot of like-minded players.”

After warming up with short-field games on Sunday, the seniors got 35 minutes to go end-to-end.

“This is really important for a player like me,” said Alexander Hamilton midfielder Andy Cespedes. “It’s great exposure for each player and we have a lot of talent here, so it’s great for the colleges, too. I just try to be the best team player I can be. I fight for every ball and play simple soccer. That’s pretty much all you can do.”

High School soccer players from throughout the Hudson Valley scrimmage during the 2020 Hudson Valley College ID Soccer Camp at Mamaroneck High School Dec. 13, 2020. College coaches were on hand to watch the high school soccer prospects during the two day showcase.
It’s getting late in the game for seniors who have not found a roster spot yet.

“For sure,” Cespedes said. “I’ve been really anxious. I’m blessed to have one offer, but it’s been a stressful time. I was concerned I wasn’t going to be able to play in college, but my hopes are up and I’ll keep training hard.”

Next came the juniors, who also got 35 minutes to go back and forth.

“I really wanted to get back out there,” said Brendan Cunningham, a goalie at Minisink Valley, which did not play this fall. “It was really hard, sitting at home doing nothing. I’ve been working out and this is really helpful. It’s a place to get noticed, to show what we can do. Playing in college is a huge goal for me, but I still have another year to go so there is a little more time to find options.”

The level of talent in Section 1 has been rising in recent years. And with teams having more and more success in the postseason, colleges are taking notice.

“For me, this has always been a fertile ground,” Taylor said. “Over the last few years, I’ve gotten probably eight players who came from this showcase. This has been a really brilliant opportunity to see the kids up close.”