Tuesday, October 20, 2026
When East Meadow field hockey set out to move on from a large group of seniors, coach Courtney Castle focused on rebuilding the culture first. That approach has resulted in immediate success, and with a 7-3-2 record, the Jets are headed to the playoffs in Nassau Conference 2.
“If your skills aren't the best, we'll get you there,” Castle said. “We just need you to show up and be focused and willing to learn and grow. If you get better through the year, that's amazing, but as long as you're putting in your effort, that's the key. Everyone's here for a reason.”
With one game remaining against Baldwin, the seeding for the postseason is not yet certain, but East Meadow easily clinched a spot after a 6-2 start. On two occasions, the Jets came within a goal of knocking off North Shore, which went undefeated in its first 12 games.
Castle said her players have developed a habit of coming back late in games, which can be taken in both a positive and negative light. East Meadow’s goal going forward will be to sharpen across all four quarters, though it’s hard to argue with what grit has accomplished so far.
The Jets have adopted a new system aligned with “Lead ’Em Up,” a leadership program founded in 2015 to help coaches and players create a productive culture. In this system, every team needs a “thermostat,” or a player who decides what the collective attitude or climate will be. For East Meadow, that play is senior goalie Arianna Rosa, the “backbone” that leads with positivity and eager defensive play.
“She's a great person on and off the field,” Castle said. “I'm really going to miss her. I've been coaching for 20-something years and she's one of the ones that sticks out through my career. She has something special.”
In addition to Rosa, Castle credited senior midfielder Gabriella Shephard for her leadership on and off the field. Together with junior right wing Olivia Salazar and junior right inner Addison Finn, Shephard has crafted a dynamic offense capable of giving East Meadow a puncher’s chance against any opponent.
“They’re a unit over there, working together,” Castle said. “Gabby will use the stick to gap the field and they’ve been practicing their passing. We've been going over things in practice to fine-tune our skills and it's coming along at the end of the year right now.”
East Meadow’s core group is further bolstered by senior left wing Angelina Gatto and sophomore left inner Emma Sacco. Castle described Gatto as the Jets’ toughest player, who has proven willing to risk it all for possession time and again. Sacco, who has developed quickly, finished off a beautiful play against New Hyde Park to secure a 1-1 tie on Oct. 15.
East Meadow fell 3-2 to North Shore Oct. 8, but with a key win over Friends Academy five days later, the Jets made a strong case as a playoff contender. For the gritty outsiders, no game is ever truly over.
