Massapequa girls struggling
Massapequa's Rosie DiMartino takes a shot ahead of a pursuing Emma McGrath in Chiefs? victory over New Hyde Park. (September 16, 2009) Credit: Joseph D. Sullivan
Things are pretty dire for Massapequa right now. The perennial juggernaut suffered another defeat Thursday, falling to MacArthur 2-0.
Massapequa (5-3-3, 5-3-2) was ranked No. 4 nationally and No. 1 in the region in the preseason NSCAA/adidas rankings but are now battling to be No. 4 in their own conference.
The Chiefs started off 3-0 but have gone 2-3-3 since and are falling very short of expectations.
“We’ve never had a streak like this before,” coach Bruce Stegner said.
Stegner said the Chiefs are having a hard time replacing seven starters from last year’s team that graduated.
“It’s been finding out what positions people can represent themselves the best. Certain players are in roles they haven’t been in,” he said. “I think we were exposed for some of the weaknesses that we have. The whole back line is new. Most of the midfield is new. We’ve tried a lot of different people in different spots.”
Prior to Thursday’s loss, No. 1 goalkeeper Emmalee Meyer was on the bench for three games.
Offensively, Rosie DiMartino (above, 8 goals) is the only player with more than four goals.
“I think we haven’t created great chances,” Stegner said. He said opposing teams have been “maybe more athletic than us. Definitely more physical. We’ve had a tough time breaking through that."
The Chiefs play at Mepham and host Farmingdale next Monday and Wednesday, respectively. The outcome of those games will go a long in determining the fate of Massapequa’s season.
