V.S. North aims for better results

A new conference and injection of speed has Valley Stream North’s girls’ soccer team looking on the up.

Last season, Valley Steam North went winless – 0-13. The roster has 13 fresh faces.

Coach Dan Tronolone, in his second season, believes an easier schedule also will be a panacea with Conference A3 reconstructed. 

However, the 2023 season debut on Sept 5 saw Valley Stream North lose, 2-0, to Hewlett, extending the losing skein to 14 games. 

”We were in a tough conference, Tronolone said. “We didn’t get off to a good start and things snowballed. This year we’re more athletic, more team speed. That will allow us to be more competitive. And we’re in a conference that will allow us to be more competitive.’’

While 12 players graduated, including all-conference honorable- mention defender, Lauren Skliros, the new senior class is brimming with nine players.  “Half the team is new,’’ Tronolone said.

The three senior captains will be relied on heavily: midfielder Dayanara Castillo, an All Conference returnee, forward Elena Magno and defenseman Lia Giaconelli. 

The Castillo-Magno connection will be critical. Manuel scored 3 of the team’s 6 goals last season. 

“We’re hoping Dayanara is the playmaker and Elena is the goal scorer,’’ Tronolone said. “Elena has speed, toughness. She’s been on varsity basketball since the 8th grade and been on soccer varsity since 9^th grade.’’ 

Magno will need help from Castillo. “Dayanara just hustles and has got good ball control,’’ Tronolone said. “She’s tough and knows how to distribute the ball.’’

The goalkeeping could be touch and go. An eighth-grader, Adriana Rienzie was promoted to varsity to be the starter. That’s a heavy load for such a young netminder. “She’s pretty athletic,’ Tronolone said. “Being more athletic in goal will help us.’’

Other notable contributors will be midfielder Paige Fessler and newcomer Claudia Sherman, a defender. “(Fessler) is a natural athlete,’’ Tronolone said. “Any sport she plays in she’s good at. She’s very athletic on the soccer field even though she’s not a real soccer player.’’

Sherman is just a sophomore, in her first year on varsity. But she’s got the speed to be a plus player. 

Senior midfielder Valentina Pinos is beginning her fourth season on varsity and would love to go out in style. She brings a “positive attitude and is “key to us being successful’’, the coach says. 

 Valley Stream North hasn’t had a winning season in four years – which has led Tronolone to try new tactics. He’s scrapping the sweeper position and employing four flat defenders. He also wants to use the speed to attack sideways and utilize more crossing passes. 

“We’re definitely going to win games,’’ Tronolone said. “We want to be competitive to a point where at least .500 is a realistic goal.’’

Tronolone noted the seniors are especially motivated. Many of them have seen the tribulations as sophomores and juniors. As freshman, the group was immersed in a winning environment on a successful junior varsity team. 

“They’re tired of losing,’’ Tronolone said. “Most of them had two losing seasons after ninth grade. They want to end their high school soccer career as they started it.’’