Amityville vs Chaminade

HIGHLIGHTS

Amityville 7, Chaminade 2: Kymani Hines confidently told his Amityville boys soccer coaches and teammates a few weeks ago he’d score a couple of goals against Chaminade in his first varsity game. He did one better. Hines, who moved from Jamaica with his mother into the district in December, scored three goals in his first high school soccer game in his new country. Returning All-Long Island standout Oscar Hernandez added three goals and one assist as Amityville blitzed two-time defending CHSAA state champ Chaminade, 7-2, in both teams’ season-opening game at Burns Park in Massapequa Park, Saturday night. “I told them I’d get two, but I’ll take the third,” said Hines, laughing. “It’s a great feeling.” Hines, a junior forward who said he previously played with the Jamaican National under-17 team, started working with the team in the offseason and now seems poised to give the two-time defending Long Island Class A champ a serious boost. “This was a huge challenge,” Amityville coach Mike Abbondondolo said. “(Chaminade) was ranked No. 4 in the nation (in a preseason USA Today top 25 national poll). The boys were ready.” Indeed. Hines made his impact felt immediately getting a goal in the seventh minute to open the scoring. Chaminade settled down and senior forward Tim de Meij scored the equalizer in the 27th minute. But Hernandez scored in the 35th and 41st minute as Amityville led 3-1 at the half. Chaminade closed within 3-2 in the 54th minute on a goal by Jose Pena, but it would be all Amityville the rest of the game, as the Warriors used their speed and tactical skills to consistently beat defenders. Not even a steady rain could slow down the Amityville attack. Rolman Guardado scored the other Amityville goal, and goalie Jorge Hernandez made four saves. Chaminade keeper Justin Mechetti was busy throughout the night and had eight saves. The two programs have combined to win three state titles the past two seasons: Chaminade has won back-to-back CHSAA state crowns and Amityville won the state Class A in 2015. “It’s amazing playing with these guys,” said Hines, smiling. “I can’t describe it.” No worries, newcomer, it’s a long season.