Thursday, October 1, 2026
Credit Carey girls soccer team's depth for withstanding the loss of its two top players. The Seahawks still figure to be a factor in Conference 1.
Two players with elite accolades are out for the season in junior Laura Maya and senior Amelia Kalamaras, both of whom earned All-County honors the past two years. In a spate of terrible luck, Maya and Kalamaras each suffered knee inuries seven months apart.
Maya, the 2025 Conference 2 Player of the Year as a sophomore, suffered her injury in August playing club soccer. Kalamaras went down last January during basketball season and her recovery still is ongoing.
"We're missing two of our best players,'' Carey coach Chris Posilico said. "If we had them, we're definitely competing for a county championship.''
Despite having just one senior starter, there is a lot of hope. Carey is off to a 2-1-1 start, led by junior striker Daisy Buja, who has 3 goals, including one in its 4-0 domination of Mepham on Sept. 16. Carey has also beaten perennial powerhouse Massapequa.
"I still think on their best day they can compete with anyone,'' Posilica said of his team, which has risen up the county ranks during his tenure. "It's keeping up with the physicality and not getting in their own way mentally. When they play their best soccer, they're as good as anybody in the conference and we're in the power conference. There's no limit. We can definitely reach the finals,” he added.
On the 18-person roster, 16 are in either 8th grade, freshmen or sophomores. Youth and injuries have forced Buja to be the prime leader.
"Since we lost two prominent players, especially now as captain, I really have to try as hard as I can, lead the team and get as many wins as possible, Buja said.
Buja is a defensive midfielder who brings much skill to "The Beautiful Game.'' Most of her goals come off headers via corner kicks.
"She's so dominant at midfield,'' Posilica said. "Plays all 80 minutes. She's a great passer. Her vision is incredible. She sees two, three passes ahead.''
Buja, who has played since age 4, has already talked to college coaches. "My biggest strength is having soccer IQ,'' Buja said. "I feel I read the game really well and see one step ahead.''
Carey boasts a host of smart soccer players, including even an 8th grade striker, Liliana Cervoni. who has a pair of goals. "She's super talented,'' Posilica said. "She sees the field great and is great on the ball.''
A senior attacking midfielder, Gab Perna leads the team in assists. Perna has a goal and 4 helpers. "She's always in the right position,'' Posilica said. "She has great vision, is a great passer, quick on the ball and helps us move it fast.''
Also having a productive start is outside midfielder, freshman Sophia Savard (2 goals, 2 assists).
The goalie is a first-year starter, freshman GG Cafaro, who has made 20 saves. The lone senior starter is Juliana Tonkin, one of the captains. "She does it all on defense up top - does everything we need from her,'' Posilica said.
Last season, the Franklin Square school went 9-3-2, making the playoffs. "I feel like if we keep up how we played against Massapequa and Mepham, we have a good opportunity of making it far in the playoffs,'' Buja said.
