RallyNorth.net

Team Palumbo just part of the story for surging Sanborn

Thursday, October, 04 By Bob Albright
Staff writer

Al Magnusson calls it "telepathic" and it's safe to say the rest of Sanborn's foes may just call it a major pain in the neck.

What is it? It's the unspoken communication that comes when two of the best scoring threats in the area not only share the same team jersey for three years, but the same address for a lifetime.

Juniors Rob and Steve Palumbo have picked up right where they left off for the Indians this year, combining for 20 goals and seven assists to help power Sanborn to an impressive 8-2 start and fourth place in Class M. The scary thing for the rest of the division, however, is that the "telepathy" seems to be now stretching from one end of the field to the other for Magnusson's talented squad.

"It really is telepathic," said Magnusson. "It's just so fun to watch how they play. One of them will have the ball and turn around and fire and out of the blue the other one will be right there to get it."

Add guys like Mike Delano (5 goals, 8 assists), Jeff DiManna, Logan Moore and Magnusson's son Jed (2 goals, 7 assists) to Team Palumbo and it's not surprising that the Indians have outscored their opponents 33-6 so far.

"What's happening now is that we've got a supporting cast around them and that's even more exciting to see," said Magnusson.

"Our defense is really starting to play offensively. They look up and see what's going on and they want to get the ball up to them," said the coach of his defensive unit, which has been led by DiManna, Josh DiBurro, Cody Merry and the suddenly left-footed Craig Eldridge in front of the suddenly vocal Nick Fogarty.

"All year I have been trying to get Craig to develop that left foot and all of a sudden he started doing it against Hillsboro (Tuesday), and it really makes him a force back there. It's a real breakthrough for him. Nick went from very quiet to very vocal out there which you need in your goalie. He was outstanding (against Hillsboro)."

The Indians sprinted to a 6-0 start before a bit of an injury bug and the schedule-maker got to them. Last week the team suffered back-to-back losses to defending state champs Hopkinton and at Epping. Since then, Sanborn has ripped off two straight wins.

"You lose a couple games like that and you start to question your style, but we really put a nice game together (Tuesday)," said Magnusson. "They were packing it in but we must have had 20-to-25 crosses and when you do that it's just a matter of time before you cash in."

Especially when the Palumbos are on the field. Steve, who is on the Olympic Development Region 1 squad, has eight goals and four assists, while Rob is second in the area in scoring with 12 goals and three assists. Both will play for the U.S. Soccer Federation Academy Program after the high school season.