Nassau girls soccer preview

The more things change the more they stay the same. While the Nassau conferences have been reorganized from ability-based groupings to enrollment-based, the powers that have ruled Nassau continue to churn out talented and strong teams.

Massapequa has won Class AA seven straight times; South Side had won Class A 10 straight; Cold Spring Harbor has three straight Class B titles; Friends Academy is an eight-time winner in Class C.

But those dominant teams won’t go unopposed in 2010, with plenty of talented underclassmen seeing their potential transformed into results and numerous upperclassmen taking one last swipe at a Nassau title.

CLASS AA

Massapequa: Center Midfielder Amanda Reverberi (three goals, eight assists) is a tenacious defender who knows how to set the tempo and will be key as the Chiefs try to win their first Long Island Championship since 2005. Sophomore Rosie DiMartino led the team in scoring last year (13 goals, five assists).

MacArthur is led by forward Jillian Mulholland, who scored 22 goals in 2009, and midfielder Kelly Kempf.

East Meadow's key to returning to the county finals will be to replicate a 2009 defense - led by first team All-State player Jessica Widmann - that allowed just 15 goals in 15 games (five shutouts). Luisa Echeverry (nine goals) and Gabriella Fuduli (five goals) solidify the midfield.

Great Neck South's Sapir Edalati (29 goals, 11 assists) was second in Nassau in total points and goals.

CLASS A

South Side ended last season with a state title and a No. 9 ranking on the ESPN Rise Fab-50 poll. And though it didn't make the list to start this season, it's still the Nassau Class A favorite. Forward Jackie Cifarelli (eight goals, nine assists) is a goal creator and Caitlin Wallace will transition from midfield to more defensive work, where her playoff experience could pay dividends. The team counts seven state titles in the past decade.

Levittown, which lost to South Side in the county finals, will depend on sister forwards Julie and Suzy Ballantyne and midfielders Krista Fitzpatrick and Maggie Carew to get back.

Jericho: Midfielder Amanda Epstein (13 goals, five assists) and forward Taylor Katz (11 goals, five assists) provide the offense for the Jayhawks, who lost in the 2009 semis. Goalie Farrah Waldman had five shutouts in 2009.

North Shore sophomore Brie Ruane scored 34 goals to lead Nassau last season. Her combination of speed, control and ability to use both feet to shoot make her dangerous. Amanda Johansen was second in Nassau with 14 assists.

Manhasset: With midfielder Ashley Peter, sweeper Nicole Sockett and midfield-forward Catherine Avallone in their senior years, the Indians have enough experience to go deep in the playoffs. Goalie Halle Majorana, in her second year in net, should show a much-improved maturity on the field.

Mineola: Alicia Mercurio (11 goals) and All-County sweeper Erica Antonison lead a talented upper-class core. West Hempstead: Olivia Czavar had eight goals as an all-county player.

Valley Stream South hopes a strong attack, led by Christie DeMarco and Alexa DeLaTorre, will bring a postseason berth.

CLASS B

Cold Spring Harbor is counting on a mix of aggressive youth at forward and lockdown defense in 2010. Midfielder Attie Schubauer was the team MVP last year and Ali Napoli is a shutdown defender who will take over at sweeper.

CLASS C

Friends Academy is hoping to win its first Long Island Championship since 2006. Center halfback Michelle Babicz has strong ball control and great passing ability while powerful lefty Krystina Iordanou is an explosive player at forward and halfback.