VSN seeks better results

In search of a fourth straight appearance in the Nassau Class A girls’ soccer playoffs, Valley Stream North has some work to do after coming up short in each of its first three Conference AB-2 games.

“We started off on the wrong foot but I’m confident we’ll figure it out,” Lady Spartans coach Geoff O’Connell said. “We’re still trying to find our identity. We graduated nine players and most of them played four or five varsity seasons, so we had a lot of jelling to do.”

O’Connell believes North, which captured the conference title last year with a mark of 8-2-2 and lost in the opening round of the playoffs, 1-0, at Island Trees, can still reach its goal of hosting a playoff game this fall. “We’ve been tested mentally,” he said. “We’ve got some experienced players and some young talent still getting used to varsity. Everyone’s working hard and I know we’ll get better.”

Two of the conference defeats were by one goal. The Lady Spartans (2-5 overall) lost 4-3 at Cold Spring Harbor on Sept. 18, and 3-2 to North Shore at home two days later. “We’ve played well offensively,” O’Connell said. 

Sophomore Yamilee Eveillard and freshman Brianna Williams scored in both games. For Eveillard, a third-year starter who plays forward and midfield, it was her fifth of the season in seven games. “Anywhere within the 18, she’s dangerous,” O’Connell said of Eveillard, who also has three assists. “She’s fast and tall, and is comfortable with the ball on her feet. She’s play wherever we need her.”

Williams is getting big minutes off the bench and providing an offensive spark up front along with Eveillard and senior Sam Leone. A captain and four-year member of the varsity, the hard-working Leone has two goals, including a game-winner against Hewlett, and one assist. “Sam is being a real leader on the field with her effort,” O’Connell said.

North is extremely young in the midfield, especially when O’Connell moves senior captain Kim Jelich to the defensive zone. Jelich is in her fifth varsity campaign and plays on a top club team. “I can put her at center-mid or defense and not worry about it,” the coach noted. Sophomores Frances Carratelli and Ashlie Rodriguez, as well as eighth-grader Courtney Taylor, are all contributing plenty in the midfield.

When Jelich slides to defense, she joins senior stopper Luci Ruddick, described by O’Connell as “a hard-nosed player who refuses to give up and wants to win every 50-50 ball,” and sophomores Gianna Filippi and Lisa Loschiavo, a pair of first-year starters. 

A rare situation is taking place in goal where North has three capable keepers. Juniors Danielle Iorlano and Sarah Balsamo, along with sophomore Kelly Kroez, are all seeing playing time. “It’s ongoing competition,” O’Connell said. “At any given time, one of them can jump up and grab the job.”

The second half of the conference schedule begins Oct. 7 when Cold Spring Harbor visits North for a 4:30 p.m. start.