Big start for Calhoun

Calhoun won’t get a chance to dethrone Massapequa atop Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer after finishing runner-up to the Lady Chiefs in back-to-back seasons.

That’s only because a change in enrollment landed the Lady Colts in Class A, where they’ve found early success against a highly competitive and deep group of new rivals.

“Massapequa’s always had that mystique and last year we beat them twice in the regular season and played a county final that could’ve went either way,” Calhoun coach James Raucci said. “It’s strange not chasing them again, but we found out quick how strong Class A is.”

The Lady Colts’ first two conference games came against the past two Class A champions, Garden City and North Shore. Raucci said the AB-I matchup Sept. 17 at North Shore, which won the title last fall, had “a championship-like atmosphere.”

Calhoun prevailed in an intense game, 2-1, on goals by senior Kristen Dobkowski and sophomore Nicole Devlin, and clutch saves by freshman keeper Holly DiPalo. One of DiPalo’s nine stops came on a breakaway. Dobkowski’s game-winner was set up by senior Sarah Tappeto midway through the second half.

“One thing I was nervous about going into the season was if the girls were going to underestimate how hard we really battled the past two years against Massapequa and the rest of AA,” Raucci explained. “But I’m not concerned with that now. They’re playing physical and playing with poise.”

DiPalo made four saves in a 1-0 victory at Manhasset on Sept. 27 as the Lady Colts capped the first half of the conference schedule with a fifth consecutive one-goal win. Tappeto set up senior Heather Berberich for the only goal.

“Every game has been tough,” Raucci said. “Yeah, we’re 5-0 and it’s great, but I keep telling everyone how close it is. We’ve been able to get a tiebreaking goal or Holly’s made a big save to help us come out on top.”

The coach said DiPalo impressed right out of the gate with a scoreless draw against Kellenberg. “She didn’t play like a freshman,” Raucci said. “She showed tremendous confidence and she’s been outstanding in every game.”

The defense has some familiar faces. Tappeto, who plays left fullback, has been an inspiration to teammates after a serious eye injury kept her sidelined last season. Sophomore Lauren Rossi, also slowed by injury in 2017, has been steady at sweeper. Senior Eleanor Beichert is a returning starter at right fullback and “does all the little things right,” Raucci said, while senior Emily Rawson took her skills to another level and earned the stopper role.

Senior Brittany Munson and junior Kerry Pearson anchor a midfield that includes senior Victoria Barone and Devlin. Barone had a goal and an assist to lead a 2-1 win over Wantagh on Sept. 22. Munson is a four-year varsity performer and played a vital role in recent playoff runs. Up front, Dobkowski and classmate Heather Berberich have three goals apiece.

“We’ve put our stamp on the conference, but there’s a lot of soccer left,” Raucci said.