After a year of disappointment with a first round loss to Plainview last season in the playoffs, the Girls Varsity Soccer team stuck back this season with a thunderous roar, cruising through the regular season, dominating in the postseason and riding the momentum all the way through to the state semi-finals. Redemption was the key for the Chiefs this year, and they did exactly that.

The Girls Varsity Soccer team had a remarkable regular season, starting the year 3-0 and then finishing the regular season on a six game winning streak in a tie for first place, with a total record of 10-1. The girls were co-conference champs with Syosset, as a coin toss determined who would win the conference. The Chiefs lost the toss, but they did not see that as a disadvantage and they were ready to make their mark. 

They had a high-flying offense all season long with players like Sierra Brophy, Lia Howard and Gianna Savella. These three ladies combined led the offense with a total of 28 goals and 44 total points in the regular season. When Sierra was asked about the teams’ chemistry all year long, she said “I think because I played with a lot of the underclassmen when we were younger it was kind of fun to be playing again now that we are older too. We never had to work to form any chemistry it was already there from the start. I had a really fun time this year and I hope they can continue our work next year as well,”  

Sierra is coming off a tough ACL Injury, last season. She has played phenomenal, as she lead the conference in goals with 17 this year, in her first season back from the injury. Sierra was asked about her comeback senior season, she said that “I think because I played with a lot of the underclassmen when we were younger it was kind of fun to be playing again now that we are older too. We never had to work to form any chemistry it was already there from the start. I had a really fun time this year and I hope they can continue our work next year as well,” 

For the girls, the defense has also been spectacular. It’s been Julia Stegner, Sophia Hatziyanis, Kayla Mushorn and Kalyin Ricci. These four have been a solid defensive pairing as well, conceding only 11 goals during the regular season and four during the playoffs. They have also had a solid rock in net with their goaltender, Caroline Brucato.  “A major reason the defense has been so dominant this season is the tremendous trust and support level throughout every player on the team. Defense starts from the forwards and ends at our keeper. A big part of defense is defending as a unit. If someone makes a mistake or loses a tackle, each and every person is supporting them and helping them out. Every person is willing to make individual sacrifices for the greater good of the team. That is why it makes us so special,” Mushorn said.

The girls, come playoff time, began their quest for redemption, leading to their historic path. They won in the first round, 5-4, in extra time in a thrilling matchup vs Oceanside. Then they shut out Plainview 4-0 in the semifinal and in the county final, they shutout Syosset 3-0, winning their ninth county title in 10 years. The Long Island Championship game brought flavor to it as well as it took two overtimes for Gianna Savella to finally connect, giving the Chiefs a 1-0 lead and eventually, they ran out the clock to win the title, their sixth in seven years. Savella has had one heck of a first year on this varsity team. When asked about her first season, she stated that “My experience on my first year on this team has been very enjoyable. Everyone on the team was so welcoming and have been so fun to be around. I had the chance to play with girls I started playing with since I was young, and we automatically clicked on the field”. The girls’ magic carpet ride came to a close when they lost in the state-semifinal in Courtland to Fayetteville Manlius, 2-1.

Massapequa Girls Soccer made a statement this year, falling down the hill one year ago, to now climbing back up as one of the top soccer schools on Long Island. Veteran players have taken leadership roles, while new faces have made a solid first impression, putting Long Island on their heels. For those who doubted Massapequa, they will definitely regret doing so as they for sure will keep their eyes wide open for these ladies come the future.