There's nothing like scoring a goal in front of your hometown fans and family in a big victory for your soccer team.
 
Just ask New York Cosmos midfielder Joey Sanchez, a Uniondale High School graduate who found the net in the Cosmos' 5-0 victory over Boston City FC at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Saturday night.
 
Sanchez tallied his first goal of the season in the 85th minute to help the Cosmos to their third National Premier Soccer League win in a row.
 
"It's always important as fast as you can. you've got to get over that first goal," Sanchez said. "I'm glad it happened early and at home. I’m from here. It’s a little bit more special. I’m happy to get my first goal, but most importantly, three points. We needed it."
 
The former Adelphi University (Garden City, N.Y.) standout accomplished that feat in front of friends and family, who didn't have to venture too far from their homes since the team's home field is situated in the same town in which he grew up.
 
"It's always great to score in front of them," he said. "Sometimes surprises. My high school coach was there. I hadn't seen him in a while. Nice to see him."
 
The Cosmos got off to a slow start. After a scoreless first half, they struck for five goals in the final 45 minutes to pull away before a crowd of 5,121. New York outshot Boston, 16-0.
 
"It was kind of a little roller coaster, ups and downs," Sanchez said. "I believe the first half was a complete different game than the second half. The second half I felt like we implemented our game, training all week for what we want to do. It was good to see we stepped it up from the first half. You've got to pull through, you've got to reset, and that's what we did."
 
The club next meets the Greater Lower Rough Diamonds in Lowell, Mass., on Friday, May 17, at 8 p.m. before a matchup with Hartford City FC on Sunday, May 19, at 4 p.m.
 
The Cosmos' next home match will be an international friendly against FC St. Pauli (Germany) at Rocco B. Commisso Stadium in New York City on Thursday, May 23, at 7:30 p.m.
 
They return to Mitchel to host Hartford City FC in an NPSL match on Saturday, June 1, at 8 p.m.