Thursday, October 1, 2026
When the North Shore girls’ soccer team faced Seaford on Sept. 6 and got walloped, 7-1, it was a reminder things are different for the Vikings.
There is a first-year coach in Jaden Galluzzo, who inherits a squad that lost seven key seniors. The Vikings had a phenomenal 2024 season, winning Conference AB with a 7-2-1 record.
New-look North Shore is off to a 1-3 start. The bright spots have been seniors Erin Lily La Rosa and Isabel Guerrero. They each have netted two goals.
"We definitely have a younger squad,'' Galluzzo said. "Our main issue we're having is team chemistry because of the age gap. It's gotten better. As first-year coach, I've had to set the tone and make sure they are ready. It's the main priority because they're such a young squad.''
The Seaford defeat was an eye-opener to the girls from last season's ambitious squad. "Mental fitness is a huge thing for us,'' Galluzzo said. "That game destroyed us a little mentally. I'm trying to build them back up. Instead of dwelling on the loss. (It's) learning from it.''
The Maroon could still be adjusting to former coach Lauren Gotta's resignation. Gotta was a high-school soccer head coach for 20 years, the last 13 in Sea Cliff/Glen Head. Gotta said she needed more time for her four daughters who've started school sports. Gotta now coaches the JV. "It was a hard decision, but I'm a mom first,'' Gotta said.
Galluzzo has solid coaching credentials, part of the Sousa Academy staff. Her assistant is Donatella Tocco, a former North Shore soccer standout. "I'm very familiar with coaching at a high level,'' Galluzzo said.
But Galluzzo has tried to temper expectations.
"It's definitely tough considering they had such a great season last year,'' Galluzzo said. "We lost almost everyone. Coming in, I made it transparent with the parents already what the season could look like. I've been overcommunicating with the players and parents making sure they don't think it's a player or coaching error.
"This season will be about building that bond with the players and coaches. Hopefully we start to come together more as a team and grow together.''
Isabel and La Rosa are two of the Vikings' three seniors. The other is center-back Catherine Perciballi. "She's a good player, good captain and good role model for the girls,'' Galluzzo said of Perciballi.
The offense is centered on La Rosa, a forward, and Isabel, a midfielder. "(La Rosa) is very good with the ball at her feet,'' Galluzzo said. "She's aggressive and strong on the ball. Isabel is the playmaker. She takes all the free kicks, corners. Both are a huge part of our team.''
La Rosa notched a goal in each of the last two games, against Seaford and its lone win over Cold Spring Harbor, 1-0, Sept. 9.
Goalkeeper Charlotte Healy has allowed 4 goals in the three non-Seaford games. "She's very consistent, besides the Seaford game, but made a lot of saves that game as well,'' Galluzzo said.
North Shore starts an eighth-grader, defender Despina Tzournas. Attacking center Alessia Marotta and outside back Kashvi Bhogadi are key contributors.
Galluzzo has a system in which the emphasis is "keeping the ball on the ground'' with passes. Moving the ball with few turnovers has been the team's staple amid a building season.
