Oceanside gets in win column

After making an impressive run to the Nassau Class AA girls’ soccer championship game last fall with three consecutive playoff upsets as the No. 10 seed, junior-laden Oceanside avoided a losing streak out of the gate by beating visiting East Meadow, 2-0, Sept. 14.

Goals by senior Melissa Horan and junior Heather Burns, and four saves from keeper Emily Doherty, propelled the Lady Sailors, who lost a tough 2-1 opener to Farmingdale just 48 hours earlier.

“We didn’t want to start 0-2,” Oceanside coach Marianna Winchester said. “We played well in both games. We were at a standstill with East Meadow for a while, but then we put some connections together and scored two beautiful goals.”

Horan completed a passing play that went through senior Danielle Rossi, junior Dana Sevcik and junior Kelly Backus. Burns, who is new to the program, scored her first varsity goal on a breakaway, chipping the ball over Lady Jets goalkeeper Nicole Castro.

“Their goalie came out to challenge and Heather made her commit first,” Winchester said. “We went into a defensive game for 10 minutes after that because they pushed everyone up.”

Oceanside, which had a 6-4-2 regular-season record in 2010, suffered a huge defensive loss prior to the season when senior Nicole Berger tore a knee ligament. Her absence leaves the back row without a senior, but not without talent. Junior Samantha Longo returns at center back after starting every game a year ago. “Sam can be a dominant force,” Winchester said. “We wouldn’t have reached the finals without her. She has great all-around skills and anticipates well.” Joining Longo in the middle is junior Sinead Lucey, who stood out at the JV level. Leading the way at fullback is sophomore Sydney Oshinsky and junior Megan Wallace.

Doherty, one of 15 juniors on the roster, served as the backup goalkeeper last season but has a wealth of experience at the position in club ball. “She controls her space well and knows how to communicate,” Winchester said. “She’s agile and is great with punts. She’s made a smooth move into the starting lineup.”