Long Island girls soccer rankings
Giuliana Graziosi, North Shore goalie, gains control of a kicked ball during a game against Garden City on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017. Credit: James Escher
Through games of Sept. 24:
1. Sacred Heart (6-0)
The defending state CHSAA champions have kept their momentum going from last season, defeating strong programs such as South Side, Garden City, Kellenberg and Holy Trinity to open the fall. Newsday All-Long Island selection Caitlin Kennedy leads the team with seven goals and five assists, and Sara Micheli has five shutouts.
2. Northport (7-0)
After winning the Suffolk AA championship last season, Northport has been dominant this fall, scoring at least six goals in five games. Led by Emily McNelis (eight goals, seven assists), Victoria Colatosti (nine goals, two assists) and Juliana Conforti (four goals, five assists), the Tigers are the early favorite to win it again.
3. St. Anthony’s (5-0)
After an undefeated season until losing in penalty kicks in the CHSAA championship game to Sacred Heart, St. Anthony’s looks to have another strong season, led by Brianna Passaro’s five goals, Jennifer Bonifazio’s defense and the deciding goal in a 2-1 victory over Holy Trinity and Vanessa Cole in net.
4. Massapequa (5-1)
After a 1-0 loss to Calhoun in its second game of the season, Massapequa won its next four games by a combined 13-0. Grace Bernardi leads the Chiefs as one of the top facilitating midfielders on Long Island. Haylee Poltorak has played strong in net.
5. North Shore (6-1)
A three-headed offensive attack with Selena Fortich, Izzy Glennon and Cailey Welch, North Shore is proving worthy of moving up to Nassau AB-I, highlighted by conference wins over South Side and Garden City.
6. East Meadow (5-1-1)
Led by Stephanie Sparkowski (a sophomore committed to Michigan) in net, and a young, potent offense, including Myla McLeod’s five goals and four assists, the Jets are a dangerous Nassau AA-I team ready to contend for a title. McLeod had the winning goal in a 1-0 win over Garden City last week.
7. Half Hollow Hills East (7-0)
With a signature win over Smithtown West on Bailey Schleimer’s goal off a ball from Jess Garziano, Hills East has had an impressive start in Suffolk III. Garziano leads the team with six goals and seven assists.
8. Islip (6-0-1)
With Newsday All-Long Island selection Hannah Franco orchestrating the offense with one goal and six assists, a young Islip team isn’t ready to take a step back amongst the top Suffolk A teams on Long Island.
9. Shoreham-Wading River (6-0)
With Lydia Kessel having another dominant season in net (six shutouts), the Wildcats could be poised for a deep postseason run behind one of the best goaltenders on Long Island. Nicky Constant leads Long Island in points with 12 goals and eight assists through Sept. 24.
10. Manhasset (2-2-2)
Led by a strong defense including Olivia Wesch and Laura Ferraris, Manhasset handed North Shore its only loss of the season with a 1-0 win Sept. 13 on Madison Rielly’s goal in a competitive Nassau AB-I.
