Seaford aiming high in playoffs

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After clinching the program’s first postseason berth in eight years, the Seaford girls’ soccer team has shifted toward even bigger goals.

Seaford finished the regular season atop the Conference AB-IV standings with a perfect 12-0 mark and now is gearing up for an out-bracket playoff game with sights on bigger heights. Fifth-year coach Ken Botti said a challenging early schedule that including a scrimmage with Conference I power Wantagh and a narrow 1-0 non-conference loss to Bellmore JFK sparked a confidence that has carried throughout the fall

campaign.

“We know we can play with the top schools in Nassau County,” said Botti, whose early season schedule also included a 5-4 win against Plainedge of Conference II. “We aren’t going to be intimidated by anyone.” 

The Lady Vikings have outscored conference opponents 63-6 since an 8-0 win versus Carey on Sept. 10 led by a dominant junior scoring trio of Niki Kassimatis. Olivia Pearse, and Ashley Sidoti. Kassimatis registered a team-leading 28 goals to go along with 11 assists. Pearce has been a force at central midfield with 18 goals and 17 assists while Sidoti has netted 18 points on the season.

“When those three girls find the back of the net and distribute the ball good things happen,” Botti said. “They are phenomenal.”

The Seaford defense entered the season with little experience, but has quickly evolved into an elite group that recorded eight regular season shutouts and surrendered only one goal in October. The backline features sweeper Jenna Moraglia, Abby Kossmann, Alexandria Leggio and Jolie Kistinger. Sophomore goalkeeper Maddy Catalanotti has proven to be a reliable in net with several big stops including an 11-save effort during the Plainedge victory.

“The defense gelling quickly was a big factor in going on that run,” Botti said.

A 5-0 win against Division Saturday marked Seaford’s fourth straight clean sheet and capped an unbeaten conference record. The offense was led by two goals from Pearce along with tallies from Kassimatis and Leggio.  Sophomore forward Leila Schwartz, who moved up from junior varsity late in the season, also scored for the second straight game.

After a dominant regular season, Seaford turns its focus to the postseason. The Lady Vikings were scheduled to play an outer-bracket game Wednesday as the No. 17 seed with the opponent unknown as of press time. A win would advance Seaford to a first round Class A playoff game against one of the top-seeded teams Saturday.

While reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2011 was Seaford’s chief goal entering the season, a dominant regular season has changed expectations with hopes now of a deep fall journey. Botti said last year’s Valley Stream South run to a

Long Island title as an 18 seed adds further fuel for his team to think big.

“It’s not just good enough to make the playoffs,” Botti said. “We’re readjusting our goals.”