Thursday, October 1, 2026
Senior goalie Jill Mauersberger was the hero of Plainedge's 13-12 victory May 5 over North Shore when she made a beautiful save with 10 seconds left to preserve the "W".
It was the highlight of her surprisingly solid season and she gets to repel the Vikings of Sea Cliff again this Sunday at 1 p.m. in the first round of the Nassau Class C playoffs.
Plainedge entered the season with big hopes but one question mark was in goal with first-year starter Mauersberger.
Mauersberger was a backup her first three seasons in red. Her solid play in close games allowed the Red Devils to post another sterling record – 11-4, 10-2 in Conference 2, tying Lynbrook for the regular-season title. "She has shown tremendous progress this entire season'' coach Kristin Susko said. "She has kept us in multiple one-goal games. We don't even have a backup goalie. From beginning of the season to now, she's stepped up tremendously.''
Plainedge and North Shore will meet again with stakes higher.
"We have a good chance of beating them,'' senior star sniper Madison Wade said. "We all have to be on our game, working together, having confidence in each other. We're capable of beating them like we did before.''
Added Susko: "It's going to be a great game. I respect their coach and kids. I'm looking forward to preparing and analyzing the previous game.''
Wade will be relied upon heavily as the dangerous midfielder after scoring 48 goals, 8 assists. She's committed to Pace University.
"She's definitely progressed tremendously,'' Susko said of Wade. "She's seen everywhere on the field. She's a big proponent in our draw. She's on the best player on the other team. On the offensive side, she's easily visible. Everyone sees her, knows her.''
Wade scored 37 goals last season, so she's added to her game.
"I'm confident keeping the ball, knowing my teammates are always open and creating space for me to be able to go to goal,'' Wade said.
Wade mad a sensational tandem with fellow senior midfielder Lia Villari, also headed to Pace. Villari is the chief draw person while netting 29 goals, 6 assists. Like Wade, Villari is everywhere on the field, making an impact.
Then there is sophomore sniper Peyton Wise, who recorded 40 goals.11 assists, stationed mostly behind the cage in an "X'' role.
The defense's four returning starters excelled. They included three seniors, Mallory Auer, Alessia Giuffida and Giulia Giuffrida, and sophomore Giovanna Pannitti. "Our defense has really stepped, causing turnovers, picking up groundballs,'' Susko said.
There is belief this could turn into a meaningful playoff run in North Massapequa. "We're all very close on and off the field,'' Wade said. "We connect with each other and know how to set each other up.''
