Thursday, October 1, 2026
Oceanside girls’ soccer has gone from ending a 45-year championship drought to becoming the team everyone is chasing.
Entering her third season as coach, Danielle Chiera has guided the Sailors to back-to-back Nassau County Class AAA championships and last year’s Long Island AAA title, secured with a 1-0 overtime victory over Northport. Now, Oceanside is aiming for another deep postseason run.
“I think we definitely have a target on our backs, and I think that's a good pressure to have,” Chiera said. “We don't really have any type of cocky attitude going into anything. That's not our style. We know every game is a tough game. But the secret's out, I would say. People know that Oceanside is a strong team and a strong program.”
Oceanside went 10-6-4 last season, including an 8-6-3 mark in conference play, while allowing just 19 goals all season, including the playoffs. The Sailors also allowed more than two goals in only one game and have continued to excel defensively against Long Island opponents.
That defensive success carried into the season opener on Sept. 1, when Oceanside blanked Mepham, 2-0, for its fourth consecutive shutout against a Long Island opponent dating back to last season. Junior Charlotte Heym and senior Isabella Mannino scored, sophomores Emily Landa and Leah Auletti recorded assists, and senior goalkeeper Ella Murray made three saves.
The defense again figures to be a strength, with Chiera returning all four starters in front of Murray. Center back Madeline McMurray earned All-Conference honors last year, while fellow seniors Addison Goldstein, a four-year varsity player, Ella Hickey and Julia Blette round out the back four.
Offensively, Chiera expects Heym and Mannino to lead the way, with senior midfielder Gianna Visone also providing a major presence. Visone scored six goals last season and received All-County Honorable Mention after earning All-Conference honors as a sophomore.
“Gianna is a very skilled, talented player,” Chiera said. “Her soccer IQ is fantastic. She's really good at reading the game and putting the ball where it needs to be. She's always thinking a step ahead.
Chiera also pointed to several younger players who could make an impact. Victoria Maloney, the team’s only freshman last season, returns after providing a pair of goals and plenty of energy. Natalia Peredo is a senior returning in center midfield with Landa, a JV callup.
Freshmen Lea Molla, Juliet Michalovsky and Hailey Pennecke will also compete for midfield minutes. Chiera praised all three for their first touch, ball movement and shooting ability. Freshman Alexa Chiera adds speed and crossing ability on the wing.
“We like the talent that we have with the players that make up the team, but you got to see who works together,” Chiera said.
Despite losing eight seniors from last year’s team, Chiera believes the Sailors have enough talent and depth to make another run at a county championship.
“These girls have the potential to do it,” she said of a potential 3-peat. “The talent and the depth that we have throughout the team, it's absolutely attainable. It's going to come down to how badly these girls want it.”
