Thursday, October 1, 2026
Despite season-ending injuries to two of its star defenders from 2025, coach Michael Vitale believes Plainedge’s girls soccer team will not miss a beat.
It was a magnificent season as Plainedge marched all the way to the 2025 Nassau County finals before losing 1-0 to Seaford, finishing at 7-2-2, allowing just 11 goals in 11 games.
Eleven seniors are back – including nine starters. But another senior, Michela Netto, will miss the season after tearing her ACL last May during club soccer.
An All-County centerback and Defensive Player of the Year, Netto has a scholarship to Maryland. “No sense rushing her back,’’ Vitale said.
In addition, another defensive type, Kenley Walsh, will miss the season after hip surgery.
No Walsh. No Netto.
“We are still a solid team,’’ Vitale said. “Most of the seniors have been here since the ninth grade. We’ll have a couple of new sophomores fill the gap. We’re looking to go all the way.’’
Last season, Plainedge defense ruled but in 2026, the offense may be stronger because of the Netto/Walsh losses.
“We have a lot of fast forwards on the team,’’ said senior Samantha Zaccaro, last season’s star midfield orchestrator. “We’re very possession-oriented, most of the girls play competitive soccer. We’ll be able to pass it around and keep possession.’’
The North Massapequa program has four players up front capable of banging the ball into the net - Siena commit, senior Allison Younghans, sophomore sensation Jackie Frucci, senior Amanda Martone and senior Victoria Truncale.
Also a basketball star, Younghans is a rock at midfield/striker. “It’s her aggressiveness and total knowledge of the game,’’ Vitale said. “She reads the ball very well. She dances through people.’’
Frucci, a midfielder/striker, was prolific as a freshman starter, scoring a team-best 9 goals. “She’s quick to the ball and a very skilled player,’’ Vitale said.
Martone is a senior striker who has “a wicked left shot,’’ Vitale said.
After being shut out in the county finals, Plainedge has more weapons.
Another striker who should score is Truncale.
Senior midfielder Avery Peters should make a strong midfield tandem with Younghans. Peters’ improvement stems from working at an elite camp at Farmingdale.
Plainedge will return its starting goalie, All-Conference junior Cayla Bloom. “She’s even better this year with her training,’’ Vitale said.
Because of Netto’s absence, Zaccaro switches from midfield back to defense. She is on the verge of a soccer scholarship from a New England school. “She can play anywhere but we want to solidify the defense with Netto out,’’ Vitale said.
Zaccaro, who had 3 goals and 5 assists, likes the change. “Whether outside back or anywhere on defense, you need speed,’’ Zaccaro said. “I think I’m fast enough to defend wingers. Seeing the whole field and all your options, that will be better, too.’’
Two newbie sophomores, Delaney Auer and McKenna Hovorak will fill some voids.
“We’re really excited,’’ Zaccaro said. “We know we have the potential to make it (to the finals), even though we have two big injuries to the defense. We have big shoes to fill. If we work together, we can accomplish anything.’’
