The Oceanside girls’ soccer team enters 2025 with something it hasn’t had in nearly five decades — the title of defending county champions. But after graduating 11 seniors from the program’s first Nassau crown since 1978, the Sailors will look far different when they take the field this fall.
Coach Danielle Chiera, who guided Oceanside to the championship in her first season at the helm after previously serving as an assistant, knows a transition is ahead, but she’s confident in the mix of returners and newcomers.
“Of course, our goal is for all of that to happen again,” Chiera said of another playoff run. “But new year, new team. We definitely anticipate there’s going to be some growing pains and some adjustments.”
The attack will be built around junior forward Ava Bowers, who earned All-County honorable mention last season after tallying five goals and 11 points, including a pair of markers in the Sailors’ quarterfinal win over Hicksville.
“Ava’s a dynamic player,” Chiera said. “She can play multiple positions, she’s a leader on the field, and we’re expecting great things from her.”
Joining her up front will be sophomore Charlotte Heym, who moves up from JV, and freshman Victoria Maloney, and both could make an immediate impact. Junior Isabella Mannino could also help drive the offense.
“We’re hoping Charlotte can plug in right away, and we’re looking forward to seeing her work with Bella,” Chiera said.
In the midfield, senior Molly Boller returns as a key playmaker in the attacking role. It was her throw-in that led to the Class AAA-winning overtime goal against Massapequa last Nov. 5.
“Molly is always connected to the play — whether it’s the pass, or the pass before the goal,” Chiera said. “We’re hoping she takes more shots this year, because she can definitely finish.”
She’ll be joined by two-time All-Conference junior Gianna Visone, who the staff hopes will take on more scoring responsibility. Visone scored the team’s first goal of 2025 in a 2-2 draw with Syosset Sept. 4.
“Gianna has unbelievable soccer IQ and ball skills,” Chiera said. “We’re encouraging her to be a little more selfish in the final third.”
Also back is Cathryn Evans, who broke out with two goals in last year’s county semifinal win over Port Washington, while junior Chloe Polito has stepped into a larger role at center midfield
Defensively, Oceanside returns one of the most experienced back lines in the county. Senior All-Conference player Ryann Zydor and junior center back Maddy McMurray anchor the group along with junior Addison Goldstein.
“Between Ryann, Maddy, and Addison, we have a lot of experience,” Chiera said. “They each bring something different, and they give us stability in front of our new goalkeeper.”
That new goalkeeper is junior Ella Murray, who was called up late last year from JV.
The Sailors know repeating as county champions won’t be easy, especially in a brutal Conference I.
“Every single game is tough,” Chiera said. “Everyone knows we have a target on our back after last year. But our goal is to compete in Conference I, finish at the top, get better as the season goes on, and make another run in the playoffs.”
