Thursday, October 1, 2026
Chock full of college players, the Rockville Centre Royals entered the Long Island Ladies Soccer League for its Summer Season two years ago and the league hasn't been the same since with the Royals winning the last three summer titles. The only blemish on their record was a loss to the Blasters last year, as the Royals have won their 20 other league games.
The Blasters are essentially the Long Island players who compete for Dowling College and the Royals have defeated them in the last three title games. The Royals went 7-0-0 this summer, outscoring opponents 29-4. They defeated the Blasters, 5-1, in the final on Aug. 1 despite having only 12 players as some of the Royals had already returned to college.
“We train twice a week in June and once a week in July, along with our two league games that month,” said Royals coach Peter Bralower.“The girls really like the training and games as it helps them prepare for their college season.”
Of the 20 players on the Royals,18 played for the Long Island Junior Soccer League’s Rockville Centre Soccer Club while growing up and 16 currently play college soccer. Nine played on the Bralower-coached Royals youth team that won the State Cup and Kirkwood (Delaware) tournament, were WAGS finalists and competed in the Region 1 Premier League.
In the photo of the Royals, in the back row, from left, are Coach Peter Bralower, Alex Miller, Liz Pettersen, Jackie Russo, Brianne McDonnell and Bella Masotti. In the middle row are Molly Bralower, Jackie Nicholas, Kerrie Ann Deignan, Katie Norwood, Nicole Cavallaro and Mary Kate Krol. In the front row is Sasha Reiber. Not pictured are Jesse Baccaglini, Christina Cinelli, Sheila Croutier, Kristen Dexter, Lauren Machtel, Shannon Meara, Katie Starsia and Jess Walsh.
