Fox Lane seems to have kicked it into another gear this fall, beating teams it lost to last season and playing even with some of the better boys soccer squads in the section. And they’ve done that despite graduating 18 players from what was a senior-laden roster a year ago, while also transitioning to a first-time varsity coach.
There is a heightened sense of focus throughout the team, and a feeling of urgency now among the leaders. It’s spurred by what they described as a bitter disappointment, the Foxes faltering in the Section 1 Class AA quarterfinals last season, a year after reaching the final and being certain that its large core of experienced players would take another step forward.
Lucas Ormazabol has emerged as an offensive dynamo alongside
Fredy Contreras, those forwards often flashing fancy footwork and finishing skills. Diego Martinez and Christian Mejia have anchored the midfield, and converted midfielder Max Cohen has thrived defensively for a unit holding opponents to 0.9 goals per game.
“I had the benefit of already knowing a lot of the kids because I taught in the middle school for a few years before getting a job in the high school,” said coach Tom Bond, a former collegiate baseball player who previously coached the modified soccer team before succeeding Mike Tomassi, who became the assistant athletic director.
“Coach Tomassi built a solid foundation, taking over a winless team years ago and making them a contender,” Bond continued. “I worked with him over the summer and he helped me get my feet wet. Now, we’re trying to build on that.”
The Foxes started the season 7-2-4, earning some credibility early with ties against Mahopac and Harrison – the Class AA section finalists last year and favorites this fall – and they turned heads again last week with shutout wins over Eastchester and Horace Greeley, two fast-ascending teams.
With the playoffs approaching, we chatted with Contreras about the changes, his shift to the wing, which teammate is worthy of being copied off, Spain and his love of Sprite Zero.
What's Coach Bond brought to the team? “He’s brought a lot. Coach Bond didn't play soccer but he knows the sport really well and is good at coaching people. He keeps us in shape with practices and drills. It's not so much about adapting to anything new, but he sets a high standard.”
What was the transition like from midfield to the wing? “It's very different. Playing the midfield is a lot of going back and forth. Playing the ‘9’ is a lot of waiting. But I think my skillset fits the position. I'm quick and hungry to score. In the midfield, I'm looking for through balls to find my teammates. Here, I’m in position to attack more.”
What did you take from the ties with Mahopac and Harrison? “I wouldn't say disappointed, but a little upset with the results. We were up 2-0 on Mahopac, so we thought that should’ve been a win. They’re a strong team; same with Harrison. It showed that we can definitely play with great teams, and I think we're on people's radar.”
How did the team react after going out in the quarterfinals? “That hurt. The year before that, we made the final and we had a lot of returners so we really wanted to come back and win it all. So, losing to Lakeland really hurt, knowing how many seniors we’d be losing. For the few guys returning this year, we knew we didn't want that feeling again. We know what it feels like to come close, and also how it feels to fall way short.”
Is Fox Lane better this season? “I think we're better. We've bonded a lot and our culture is good. We get along easily, and a lot of us have stepped up. Lucas and I didn't have our best seasons last year, so we were determined to be much better.”
Where has your game improved? “We’re playing a more free-flowing style and I think that benefits my game and Lucas’. Coach Bond deserves credit there. He’s given us a lot of freedom on offense.”
What's the connection like with Lucas? “We have a strong friendship, always talking in school, and we have a similar mindset on the field. We also have the same focus on this season. This is my last year, and he's a junior, but this might be our best chance to win a title. We've played a lot of games together so we know how each other plays. We don't have to call for the ball; we know when and where for each other. That chemistry has helped a lot.”
Who are some underrated teammates? “Peter Tevez, Max Cohen, Christian Mejia have been awesome, and they have great potential, but because they're not on the score sheet people might not know their names. Our goalie, Luke Valenti, is playing soccer for the first time and he’s been good. He’s a lacrosse goalie committed to Georgetown and we convinced him to play soccer.”
What's your pre-game music of choice? “I don't listen to music much before games. I like to just calm down and think about the game. I try to envision it, then when I get that moment, I have to produce. If I listen to music before a game, it's something like ‘Lord Knows’ by Drake and Rick Ross. I listen to a lot of house music, and here and there I listen to Drake and Don Toliver.”
Best dancer on the team? “Christian Mejia. Juan Acosta can do some merengue. But we do a lot of TikTok dances for fun and Christian is great at them.”
Favorite meal? “Rice and salmon. Jasmine rice with just some salt, black pepper, garlic powder and lime juice on the salmon. With a Sprite Zero on the side. I try to eat healthy and, honestly, Sprite Zero tastes good!”
Funniest teammate? “Luis Rodriguez. He always finds ways to make any of us laugh. Max Cohen, too. Every time I'm around them before practice or even during drills, they’ve got me cracking up.”
If you ever had to copy off someone in class, which teammate would you hope is sitting nearby? “Probably Calvin Metzger. He's really smart.”
What’s your favorite subject? “History, definitely. It's always appealed to me since I was young, learning about the past and how things came to be.”
If you could teleport anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? “Switzerland. I’d love to see the Swiss Alps and the blue lake (Blausee).”
If you could have any superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it? “I’d be able to read people's minds. It would help a lot in games, knowing what the defenders are planning to do.”
What's your perfect day? “I'm very family oriented, so the day would be spent with them, probably on vacation. We've talked about wanting to visit Hawaii.”
Coolest place you have been? “Madrid. As a soccer player, going to Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid games, the atmosphere is incredible. Plus the food, the social life. That's a place everyone should visit if they have the opportunity.”
Stephen Haynes covers sports for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Fox Lane star Fredy Contreras discusses soccer success, team. music,
