Carle Place soccer's Ryan Leary scores in return to field
Carle Place senior Ryan Leary got back on the soccer pitch Wednesday. It was a long time coming.
The Frogs closed out their regular season at home with a 3-0 win over West Hempstead. Leary, Lucas Viegas and Evan Mehalakes all scored for Carle Place (5-6-1). West Hempstead concluded its season at 4-7-1 in Nassau Conference AB-III.
A five-year varsity soccer player, Leary spent most of this fall on the football field after the district told him he couldn’t play both football and soccer unless he only kicked for the football team. He decided to play wide receiver, and kick, for the football team while he and his family fought to overturn the decision.
After petitioning the New York State Education Department, Leary was approved to get back on the soccer field Oct. 3 and became eligible for games this week.
“It was a surreal feeling to step back on the field,” Leary said. “I can’t believe it’s been a year since the last time I got to play. Once I put the ball in the back of the net, it was so freeing.”
When Leary planted the ball in the right side of the net in the 44th minute, his football team was there to cheer him on.
“He missed this so much,” said senior football player Vincenzo Pisani. “I just know he’s got the biggest smile on his face being back out there and playing his first game. I’m so excited for him.”
“This just shows what kind of athlete he really is,” added football teammate Alex Rothstock. “Being able to juggle two high-contact sports and succeed in both of them is so amazing.”
Leary scored 17 goals last season and helped lead Carle Place to a Class B state title. He plays a major role in the offense, spending most of his time behind the midfield line, either distributing the ball to teammates or controlling it himself to put the Frogs in scoring position.
He’s also thrived on the football field. Leary has made 21 catches for 437 yards and four touchdowns and has 299 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 18 carries. He has also accounted for 28 points as the team’s kicker.
Soccer coach Conor Reardon said Leary’s first game back is only a taste of what he can do.
“It honestly feels like he never left,” Reardon said. “It was great to have him on the field today and it’s clear how much he can do for this team’s offense. He makes everybody on the field better.”
Carle Place clinched a Class B playoff berth and is seeking its eighth consecutive Nassau title. Although athletes are typically required to be active for at least six regular season games to be eligible for the postseason, the NYSPHSAA accepted a waiver request of the representation rule so that Leary could play in the playoffs.
Leary’s parents, Karin and Patrick Leary, said this fall has been an emotional roller coaster, but seeing Ryan back on the field has brought some much needed normalcy.
“This game has been his whole life,” Karin Leary said. “It brought tears to my eyes. He’s back to doing what he does best.”
“He obviously missed this,” Patrick Leary added. “Just to see him compete again is emotional. This is where he belongs.”
Although Leary can check ‘getting back on the field’ off his to-do list, it’s only the first item. Next stop: Playoffs.
“The goal is to win a county championship,” Leary said. “I’ve been saying it even before I got back here. That goal never changes and I’m excited to hopefully get that done.”
Tess Ferguson is a reporter on Newsday's high school sports staff. She joined the team after graduating with a journalism degree from Ithaca College in 2025.
