West Islip Patch Athlete of the Week

With standout performances by more than one athlete, West Islip Patch had to split up this week's award.

Cameron Eiseman, West Islip boys soccer

What Eiseman did on Saturday to help the varsity boys soccer team beat their archrival East Islip will carry with the team for the entire season.  And probably with Eiseman his entire life.   

West Islip's offense was shut down in most of Saturday's game.  But down 2-0 with under eight minutes to go in the second half, Eiseman, a senior forward, launched a shot to the right of the net and passed a diving keeper to make it a one goal game. 

A few minutes later, Eiseman was able to knock in a rebound passed the keeper to tie the game and force overtime.

But wait, there's more.  In extra minutes, Eiseman assisted a pass inside to Colin O'Connor, who then kicked it in passed East Islip's goalie for the win.  

"Cameron's been our best player so far from day one of the preseason," head coach Ed Pieron said after the game.  "Those last couple of minutes he was tremendous."

The defense, West Islip football

It's impossible for Patch not to recognize these guys after the game they played on Saturday.  And while it can go to a number of players on the field for the Lions, the defense was just unbelievable. 

Coach Yuli's group was impressive in their opening game against top-seeded North Babylon and their efforts started right out of the gate.  They held one of the most potent rushing attacks to just 13 points for the game, including a shut out in the first half. 

The group blocked two field goals and gave junior quarterback Anthony Santo and the offense a chance to win the game down the stretch. The defense also forced North Babylon to go for numerous fourth-down, nearly stopping them on three of them.

The hard-nosed linebacking core of Stephen Gallante, Pat Ryan and Mike Aniboli were jamming the line of scrimmage on every play, frustrating star tailback Preshon McCoy and the Bulldog's offensive line.

If this is the defense the Lions can expect all season, there's no doubt West Islip can be contenders. 

Click here for video highlights of the West Islip- North Babylon game.