Girls Soccer

Front row, from left. Christine Antonelli (Massapequa), Nina Nanavrakis (South Side), Lisa Jaffa (South Side), Marisa Kanela (Wantagh). Middle row, from left. Kaitlin Schmidt (St. Anthony's), Becky Thorn (Sachem), Sue Weber (Islip), Courtney Arikian (West Islip), Hedy Kishel (Half Hollow Hills). Back row, from left. Nassau Coach of the Year Bob Bigelow (South Side), Carolyn Smirti (Cold Spring Harbor), Lydia Holmberg (Bayport-Blue Point), Kelly McGrane (Center Moriches), Meghan McCallion (St. Anthony's), Amanda Miller (Hewlett), Suffolk Coach of the Year Dave Prutting (St. Anthony's). (Newsday / Dick Kraus)

A look at the girls soccer players who stood out on Long Island high school varsity squads in the fall of 2001, as Newsday presents its first-ever All-Long Island girls soccer team.

CHRISTINE ANTONELLI
Massapequa, Stopper, Senior
Antonelli began the season at midfield, but Massapequa needed help protecting the goal. So longtime coach Dick Tunick asked her to play stopper, the last line of defense. It didnt matter where Antonelli lined up, once she stepped onto the field, she was a force. She registered just two goals and two assists this season, and finished with nine goals in three seasons. That wasnt her game. Antonelli was a grinder, and her fierce spirit led Massapequa to the Nassau Class A semifinals.

COURTNEY ARIKIAN
West Islip, Midfielder, Junior
Arikian proved she is one of Long Islands most feared goal-scorers this season. An All-State selection as a sophomore, Arikian came back even stronger this season. She registered 16 goals and led West Islip into the Suffolk Class A semifinals. The four-year starter already has 59 career goals and 34 assists. Her overtime goal against Half Hollow Hills was the difference in a 2-1 win in the quarterfinals.

LYDIA HOLMBERG
Bayport-Blue Point, Goalkeeper, Senior
Theres no secret why Bayport-Blue Point went 14-2-2 and reached the Suffolk Class B title game this season. Holmberg refused to let the opposition score. She tallied 10 shutouts, including a pair of impressive wins in the playoffs. Thats 290 minutes of scoreless soccer in the playoffs, until eventual champ Rocky Point ended the streak and the Phantoms season. Holmberg, a three-sport athlete, gave up just six goals all season. She is an All-Suffolk golfer and top basketball player. Holmberg also was a two-time member of the Empire State Games scholastic girls soccer team, bringing home silver this summer.

LISA JAFFA
South Side, Sweeper, Senior
It wasnt Jaffas job to score goals, she was expected to keep the opposition from scoring. But the five-year player managed to do both, anyway. Jaffa had six goals and 15 assists this season, and replaced former standout Liz Roberti as the conscious of South Side soccer. From the sweeper spot, Jaffa was able to see the field and direct teammates. And when she wasnt yelling accross the field or charging through 50-50 balls, Jaffa was making timely runs up the touchline. She owns three state championships in her previous four seasons. South Side (18-0) advanced to the state Class A Final Four this year, too. Jaffa is considering Boston College or Loyola (Md.).

MARISA KANELA
Wantagh, Midfielder, Senior
It was one of those seasons for Kanela, a three-time All-Nassau pick. No matter much she gave or how hard she tried, it never seemed to be enough. Wantagh didnt make the Nassau Class B playoffs this season. But opposing coaches agree, Kanela was the finest player in Class B this season. She scored 11 goals in 14 games. The five-year starter has 61 career goals and 41 assists. More importantly, she never gave up. In her final game, Kanela scored two second-half goals against defending Long Island Class B champ Valley Stream South to force overtime. South would go on to win, 4-3, in overtime.

HEDY KISHEL
Half Hollow Hills, Midfielder, Senior
Kishel was an All-State player as a junior. Who knew she would be even more of a force this season? Kishel used her speed and vision to rack up 18 goals and three assists. Believe it or not, Kishel is an even better passer. But Half Hollow Hills did not have that complementary player to finish plays. Still, Kishel helped Half Hollow Hills to a 13-3-1 mark and the Suffolk Class A quarterfinals. The five-year player finishes with 76 career goals. Kishel is considering Cornell, Columbia, Lehigh, NYU and SUNY-Binghamton.

MEGHAN MCCALLION