Suffolk girls soccer some of LI's best
Nassau may house two defending state champions, but Suffolk enters the season boasting some of Long Island's best girls soccer teams -- West and East Islip, Northport, Sayville, Center Moriches, Smithtown Christian -- and one of the nation's best players in Cari Roccaro.
CLASS AA
Ward Melville is the favorite in League I with Ally Ramos in goal and Lizzy Rullan and Caysea Cohen on the attack. Keeper Jackie Birnbaum and defender Kristin Brandmen anchor a strong backfield for Commack.
Sachem North is led by keeper Erin McNulty and forwards Ashlee Thompson and Courtney Cohen.
Patchogue-Medford features Erika Flowers in the midfield and Rosa Prestano in the backfield.
League II may be the toughest in the county. West Islip seeks a fourth straight trip to the title game behind midfielders Brook Kerrigan and Taylor LaRose and defender Molly Ohman.
Northport's attack will be hard to stop with Kristi Abbate distributing to Rosy Hayes and Courtney Fortunato.
Forward Dawn Hickey joins JoJo Murino, who closes out the Murino Sister Era, at Connetquot. At Sachem East, Morgan Tinari leads the offense and Allie Picasico the defense. Lindenhurst features midfielder Courtney McCarthy and striker Kristy Trebing.
Roccaro, an All-American, leads a strong East Islip team along with midfielder Jackie Niciforo and senior defenders Brianne LaFemina and Rebecca Carucci in League III. Defending county champ Smithtown East returns Dominique Albano, Kelly Stumper and Lyndsay Hartman. Across town, Kaitlyn LaManna and Olivia Wellenger will run the backline for Smithtown West. Whitman looks to build on its playoff success of last season with midfielder Alyssa Vallar and central defender Kelly Powers.
In League IV, Emily Ude will generate the offense for North Babylon while sweeper Megan Binder and keeper Kelly Heimerle secure the backfield. Center-midfielder Jenai Davidson leads a talented Deer Parksquad. Last season's league champ Hills West is solid at both ends with sweeper Christina Magel and striker Marisa Rosen. Midfielder Jessica Maizur leads a young West Babylon team. Hauppauge returns a strong nucleus of midfielder Stephanie Peragallo and keeper Diana Poulin.
Comsewogue has two-time all-county keeper Kim Comstock in League V. Kings Park is fueled by midfielders Michelle Yaniello and Katherine Corcoran and defender Brittany Mueller. Bianca Lastra will lead the attack for Bellport.
CLASS A
All-county sweeper Amanda Buck will try to lead a young but always strong Islip team back to the county title game. Defending county champion Sayville -- with Kim Marra, Emily Meier and Madison Hoon forming a strong attack and Samantha Bishop and Olivia Cooley-Bishop anchoring a solid defense -- are in a class of their own in League VI. Kayla Ceschini-led Miller Place, Jackie Abbate-led Rocky Point and Kristin Tesi-led Glenn will be competitive.
Shoreham-Wading River's midfield is strong with Kari Quinn and Shannon McDonnell, along with forward Meghan Seabrook. Rebecca Raber shifts to midfield for Bayport-Blue Point. Mount Sinai is led by sweeper Arianna Shaljan and center-mid Marisa Colacino.
CLASS B
Center Moriches is out to capture a third consecutive LI title. Alexis Parlato and defenders Pakia Plummer and Brianna Mascia lead way. Mattituck has a strong incoming class joining Liz Lasota and Nikki Zurawski.
CLASS C
Stony Brook looks to rebuild around Chelsea Wentling and Madison Rylands. Pierson/Bridgehampton has freshman Zoe Diskin patrolling the midfield and Julia Schiavoni in goal. Port Jefferson has some up-and-coming sophomores, including Mairead Swords and Olivia Racanelli.
CLASS D
Chelsea Bellini looks to help Smithtown Christian make a fourth straight trip to states.
