Freeport program gaining traction

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The Freeport girls’ soccer team has made big strides since Helen Saballos took over the program during the abridged spring 2021 season and will look to take another leap this fall with a fuller roster. 
After having trouble fielding a team in her first season, Saballos had 45 players attend initial tryouts in August. The Red Devils just missed a playoff appearance last season with a 6-8 record following a two-win abbreviated spring 2021 campaign after many players dedicated themselves in the offseason playing club soccer.
“What I’ve seen in the last few years of all the roles I’ve had, the last three years is the improvement of their skills individually and as a team it’s amazing,” Saballos said. “I walk on the field and I don’t even have to tell them to go right, go left, do this, do that, they already know themselves.”
Junior center midfielder Alisson Caceres, who has been on varsity since her freshman year, leads the Freeport offense on heels of an 11-point sophomore season. Senior Amber Marquez, who switched from a defensive to offensive role this fall is also a key part of Freeport’s attack.
Senior Cassie Smith anchors the backline as the top defender. Daniela Cancales also brings experience to the defensive unit as a senior outside back while sophomore Madelyn Perez brings skill to the defensive center back role in her first season as a starter.

Junior Cintia Rodriquez Berganza brings athleticism to the goalie position and recorded eight saves in a 1-0 loss to Uniondale to open the season on Sept. 7. Senior Kailyn Verna also may see time in net this fall.
Caceres, Marquez, Smith and Cancales serve as captains setting the tone for the younger players. Saballos said the veterans have emotional maturity enough to sometimes run practices on their own before coaches arrive. 
The Red Devils are tackling a challenging schedule in Conference AA-II, which also features Hicksville, East Meadow, Baldwin, Valley Stream Central, Uniondale, Hempstead and Westbury. Saballos noted that many schools in Freeport’s league have a big head start talent wise since they are big soccer communities where players start at a very young age. 
“We play against teams with girls who have been playing soccer since they were two years old and we get girls who just started playing in middle school,” Saballos said.  My girls are very capable, but it’s hard in this conference.”
After a Sept. 14 game against Hempstead, Freeport travels to Westbury Friday for a 5 p.m. kickoff. The Red Devils next home match is on tap for Monday versus Valley Central Central at 5 p.m. before hosting East Meadow Wednesday, also at 5 p.m. 

Alumni game in works 
Saballos is looking to engage past Freeport players with an alumni game against Uniondale sometime this fall that will serve as a fundraiser for both programs. For further information, send an email to HelenSaballos02@gmail.com.