High expectations for Long Beach

After undergoing a rebuilding stage last season and struggling to find the win column in Nassau Conference AA-II, Long Beach’s girls’ soccer team appears primed for success in 2015.

“Seven of our 12 losses last year were by one goal,” Lady Marines coach Tara Wesselhoft said. “I lobbied for us to stay in Conference II because of what we’re returning, but there’s a criteria the county follows so now we’re in [Conference] III.”

I scheduled some challenging non-league games to help us prepare,” she added.

Going toe-to-toe with Baldwin in a 2-1 defeat on Sept. 8 was a positive sign, she said. Junior Valerie Catrambore picked up Long Beach’s first goal of the season on a first-half breakaway. The versatile captain will see time at center-midfield and forward, the coach said. “She has a great foot and takes all of our corners,” Wesselhoft said. “She sees the field well and always knows where to be.”

Also in the center of the midfield is freshman Sophia Valentin, who ignites the transition offense with her distribution skills. “Sophia is an excellent passer,” Wesselhoft said. “She’s a true center-middie.”

At outside midfield, junior Katie Whelan can push the ball up the wing and create scoring chances. Getting the ball up top to sophomore Grace Conway is a key, the coach noted. “Grace is really fast and doesn’t wait for the ball to come to her,” Wesselhoft said. “She’ll go get it and make things happen.”

Junior Chrystal Posada, a fifth-year varsity player, is the team’s field general. Primarily a stopper with the ability to operate at center-midfield, she’s constantly directing traffic and is very skilled, the coach said.

Senior Sarah Whalen moved to outside back to fill a void and bolster the defensive unit. “I feel safe with her back there,” Wesselhoft said. “She’s extremely aggressive with lots of speed.” Freshman Victoria Posada also contributes at outside back.

Junior captain Kelly DiResto is a rock-solid sweeper in her fourth varsity campaign. “It’s tough to get by her,” Wesselhoft said. “She’s also a target player on corners and direct kicks because she’s so good in the air.”

In goal, the Lady Marines have three options. Junior Mary Elizabeth McCourt and sophomore Samantha Inselberg split time a year ago, while senior Emma Gilroy moved up after serving as the JV starting keeper in 2014. “They’ll all do whatever it takes to be successful,” Wesselhoft said.

Long Beach, which dropped non-league games to Island Trees and Lynbrook, faces each of its Conference AA-III rivals — Great Neck South, Hempstead, Westbury, Freeport and Uniondale — twice apiece.

In 2013, the Lady Marines won five games and made their first playoff appearance in two decades before falling to MacArthur in the Class AA quarterfinals. Wesselhoft said she’s looking for last year’s experience to pay dividends and for Long Beach to quality for the postseason after a one-year hiatus.