Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Clarke’s girls soccer team has steered a winning turnaround this season.
The Rams (6-2-3 in Conference AB-III) more than tripled their win total from last year’s 2-6-4 campaign entering their regular season finale Tuesday and sit near the top of the league standings.
“We competed really well against the two best teams in our conference, tying both of them,” Clarke coach Becky Mattia said. “We’re exceeding expectations.”
The offense has been paced by sophomore central midfielder Alison DeLuca, who is third in Nassau County in points with 14 goals and 11 assists. DeLuca tallied two goals and an assist in a 5-3 win against Valley Stream South on Sept. 28.
Sophomore striker Alexa Maia has also had a standout season near the net with 17 goals and six assists. The versatile Maia has embraced taking on an offensive role this fall after years shining as a defender with the East Meadow Soccer Club.
Senior midfielder Gianna Acosta has also provided an offensive spark this season with four goals and has also provided veteran leadership as a team captain.
“She has been the most improved on our team,” Mattia said of Acosta, who shines on the Clarke flag football team in the spring. “She is always working hard and getting in extra reps after practice.’
The offense has also gotten production from senior midfielder Kelsey Lopez, who tallied two goals in Clarke’s 8-0 romp against Lawrence on Sept. 16. The Lawrence win also saw two goals apiece from sophomore Alexis Jose, Maia and DeLuca.
The defense is anchored by senior center backs Viviana Reyes and Jade Espinosa. Sophomores Madilyn Darcy and Sienna Destine have also shined at outside back.
The backline has held opponents to a goal or less in five matches including an 8-0 shutout of Lawrence on Oct. 6 and 4-0 clean sheet against West Hempstead on Sept. 25. Sophomore goalkeeper Celene Mora, a flag football standout who recently took up soccer, has shined in net and recorded 15 saves in a 2-1 win versus Valley Stream South on Sept. 3.
“She has been pleasantly surprising me each game,” Mattia said of Mora. “I’m going to put her up for goalie of the year when we have our meeting because she has been that good.”
Mora stood tall in Clarke’s 2-2 tie with Mineola last Saturday with eight saves. The Rams also got a goal apiece from DeLuca and Maia to knot their second draw of the season against unbeaten Mineola (8-0-3)
The Mineola tie assured Clarke (6-4-3 overall) of a winning season heading into its regular season finale against Valley Stream North. The season has marked a big turnaround for the Rams, who went 2-6-4 last year, which according to Mattia highlights the team’s hard work and determination this fall with seeds planted during the preseason.
“There have been a lot of good surprises from girls who haven’t been playing soccer their whole life but have been really playing well,” Mattia said. “They have worked their butts off every day."
