North Shore begins title defense

The defending Nassau County Class A girls’ soccer champions are gearing up for another strong season under head coach Lauren Gotta as North Shore returns with some key pieces from its championship run.
Although the defending champs are confident in their abilities, Gotta believes that other teams in Nassau’s highest ability-conference could be underestimating her squad this year.
“We have other teams that are thinking that last year was our year, and that this year is someone else’s for the taking,” Gotta said. “A lot of teams will underestimate us. We are ready, and eager, to get this season started.”
Gotta will also be the first to admit that the players lost were some of her most skilled. “Yes, we lost some skillful individual players and great leaders to graduation, but they molded the girls that we have now to be very good players,” Gotta said.
At the forefront, one of the team’s leading scorers and most talented players a year ago, All-County forward Cailley Welch, returns for her senior campaign with a lot of focus on her physical attributes, scoring and playmaking abilities. Gotta is focused on a gameplan where Welch will not be man-marked by the opposing team. “We’re going to run a new formation and make sure that Cailley is not man-marked, and when she gets the ball in one-on-one situations, she’s going to run right by that defender,” Gotta said.

All-County senior defender and captain Taylor Berry returns to anchor a strong defensive unit. “If there is a wall that everyone needs to go through, she’ll be the first one standing on the other side,” Gotta said. Gotta lauded her tenacity and work ethic.
Junior defender Gabby Scott returns from a full ACL tear last year, an injury that forces most athletes to miss an entire season, however she had been an active member of the team at points last season.
Senior midfielder/forward and captain Donatella Tocco and sophomore Izzy Tedesco will play key roles in this offense, taking pressure and focus off of Welch and creating many scoring opportunities for this talented bunch.
Junior Ryleigh Gilligan attained great experience as a sophomore on this championship team and is a player Gotta looks to distribute the ball everywhere on the field.
Sophomores Ashton Guss, Maddy Berry and Celia Labbate will both be very promising young players on this team’s midfield and defensive half, continuing to highlight the young and very capable core of this Lady Vikings unit.
Gotta is ready to take this crew into battle and prepare aptly for the playoffs. “Every team makes the playoffs in our conference, the question is how do you prepare getting there,” Gotta said. “Are you coming out ready to play in the third week of the season? We are.”
With the abundance of young talent they have, Gotta only truly sees one weakness. “We may be a little green, but about five games in you’re going to see those girls start clicking,” Gotta said. “There is leadership everywhere on this team, and we are preparing for another great year.”
North Shore opens conference play at home against South Side this Friday.