Thursday, October 1, 2026
Nassau Class A girls soccer teams, consider yourselves on notice.
The defending champions aren’t going away.
Yes, Seaford graduated 12 seniors, including six starters from last year’s squad that captured a second county title in four years last fall. But the Vikings haven’t missed a beat, racing out to a 5-0-1 record.
“We’re defending champs,” Seaford coach Ken Botti said. “We know there’s a target on our back. So, obviously, we want to represent and tell everyone that it’s our title and they’re gonna have to come take it from us.”
The backline is almost completely rebuilt, yet Seaford has conceded just five goals — three of which came in a season-opening 3-3 draw against Plainedge in a rematch of last year’s title game.
It is anchored by junior center back Kendall Tricoli, who plays behind senior captain Jozie Collichio. Junior captain Riley Stovall and Katelyn McHugh are the outside backs.
Stovall, who scored in a 2-0 win over Cold Spring Harbor on Sept. 15, is the lone returning starter in front of first-year goalkeeper Kelly Harrington. The senior moves from the volleyball court to the soccer pitch this fall and has recorded back-to-back shutouts against Cold Spring Harbor and Floral Park.
“I think our defense is progressing and getting better by the game,” Botti said. “We’re becoming more stingy at the back. We’re limiting other teams’ good chances, which is obviously something you look for out of a strong defensive unit.”
The midfielder is led by a pair of captains — junior Grace Cullingford, a four-year starter who partners with senior captain Zoe Qosa.
“She’s an absolute rock, the kid does it all. She’s a blue-collar kind of player,” Botti said of Cullingford. “Just like Grace, [Zoe] is strong with her feet. She probably settles the ball with her chest better than any other kid I’ve ever seen — very smooth, very silky, and she’s working that transition from the defense to the offense.”
On the wings are freshman Emerson Dean and junior Georgina Deros, two players who can conjure up magic at a moment’s notice.
“We love the fact both of them love to attack and dribble and dribble at people and create mismatches,” Botti said. “Those two girls are helping put good service in the box and create scoring opportunities right in front of goal.”
up front, Leah Conklin is showcasing some of that dynamism her sister Kaylie showed for four years. The sophomore pairs with junior Giuliana Viggiano, a tenacious attacker who creates chances with her aggression.
“She’s a striker coaches love to have on the team because she’ll score a pretty goal, she’ll score a garbage goal, she’ll follow up a rebound, she’ll take one off someone’s feet,” Botti said.
Viggiano scored a pair of goals in a 3-0 victory over Floral Park on Thursday, while Dean added a goal and an assist. The Vikings also handed previously undefeated Farmingdale and Cold Spring Harbor their first defeats of the season.
“We’re starting to figure it out,” Botti said.
