Calhoun rolls into second half

Calhoun coach James Raucci knew his defense was going to be good. With a stalwart backline and a keeper who he believes is among the best in the conference, the coach knew it would be a strength for his predominantly young squad this season.

But even he probably didn’t expect it to be this good.

Three conference games into the girls’ soccer season last month, the Calhoun defense had yet to allow a single goal.

But those games also validated Raucci’s greatest concern – after losing a couple of key playmakers to graduation, he wondered where the goals would come from. In those three games, they scored just once, resulting in a 1-0-2 start to the season for the defending Conference AB1 champs.

Still, Calhoun showed several extremely positive signs early on, punctuated by a 0-0 tie on Sept. 10 tie at Valley Stream South, a team fresh off a historic 21-0 season that ended in a state championship. 

Following that game, Raucci said he had a message for the parents in attendance: “I said we just played the state champs, and your kids held their own,” the coach recalled. “Right off the bat, I was super impressed. It showed the resolve of the team and showed maybe we can go back and compete for a county.”

It was in a Sept. 20 matchup against Manhasset when everything clicked offensively. Executing set plays and moving the ball with ease, Calhoun matched their entire season goal output in a single game, winning 4-2. “It was a day where the girls found space better,” Raucci said.

Calhoun’s defense has continued its elite play. The lone goal allowed in a 1-0 loss to first place Garden City on Sept. 24 was on a penalty kick. A hard-fought 2-1 victory over crosstown Mepham followed two days later.

“The girls were nervous going into it,” said Raucci on the emotions of facing Mepham. “Honestly, I was a bit nervous. That was a huge for them.”

In six league games, Calhoun has allowed just four goals. While Raucci said it’s a team accomplishment, he lauded the play of senior center midfielder Kerry Pearson for regularly setting the team’s flow and tempo on both sides of the ball, as well as senior Molly Woods and junior Ava Bayat for cleaning up the back end of the field.

But it was his keeper, junior Holly Dipalo, for whom Raucci reserved the highest praise. “Every game this season, she’s just made a save that drops your jaw,” he said.

The team has also received an offensive spark from a pair of sophomores this year who have already had a major impact. In her first game following a call-up from junior varsity, Claire Phillips netted the game-winner against Wantagh. Against Mepham, meanwhile, Gabby Hanellin scored the decisive goal just days after she was called up.

With three weeks remaining, Raucci said there is plenty to be excited about. “For them to go through the first half knowing we can play with everybody, it’s huge,” Raucci said. “And then it’s a reality to say we can chase down a county [championship].”