The MacArthur girls soccer team has held its own so far tackling a grueling schedule while also battling the injury bug.
The Generals entered October at 3-2-2 in Conference AAA/AA-1 despite being without some key players for much of the schedule taking on the top programs in Nassau County. MacArthur enters the home stretch of the regular season in position to obtain a top four seed a bye for the Class AA playoffs.
“We right now would be the three seed in the playoffs if it was to start today, but we've got more work to do,” said fifth-year coach Steve Costello. “We’re in a pretty good spot.”
MacArthur closed September with a winning record despite losing senior center back Katelynn Paulich to a possible season-ending ankle injury in a 0-0 tie against Carey on Sept. 23. With the absence of Pauliuch, a reigning All Conference defender, Costello moved Emily Squicciarini from outside back to center back with Adriana Clancy taking over Squicciarini’s spot.
Squicciarini and Clancy are part of a strong defensive unit that has held opponents to one goal or less in six matches and recorded four clean sheets. The backline also includes seniors Giana Winkler, Abigail Zazulka and Alexa Coppola, a veteran defensive midfielder who leads the conference in assists with seven.
“She is really good at corner kicks and she's a very defensive-minded player,” Costello said of Coppola. “She's done a really good job for us.”
Junior goalkeeper Lyla Curtin has helped anchor the defense with four shutouts including six saves in a season-opening 1-0 win against Calhoun on Sept. 1.
The offense has been led largely by senior forward Gina Iannuzzi, who has four goals including two in a 3-1 win against Syosset on Sept. 9. Freshman forward Kat Maris has also had a strong offensive season with three goals and an assist.
MacArthur is coming off a 3-0 non-league win at Manhasset last Saturday that featured two second-half goals from senior midfielder Ava Kelly and a first half tally by Iannuzzi. Curtin preserved the Generals’ fourth clean sheet of the season with six saves and backup goalie Gianna Bove also recorded one stop off the bench.
The Generals will host two-time defending county champion Oceanside Friday at 5 p.m. before visiting Long Beach on Columbus Day for a 10:30 a.m. kickoff. MacArthur concludes the regular season under the lights at home on Oct. 15 against Bethpage at 7 p.m.
Costello said the rigorous schedule in Conference I will force the team to raise its game and should serve as solid preparation for the upcoming Class AA playoffs where MacArthur will seek its first county crown since 2022.
“We have to continue to understand that League 1 requires you to be physical, fast and focused,” Costello said. “We’ve done a pretty good job of that so far and we just need to continue to do that.”
