Freeport finds solid footing

Freeport girls’ soccer made inroads in a 2017 season that nearly garnered a playoff berth.

The Lady Red Devils placed second in Conference AA-III with a 5-2-1 mark to just miss out on gaining the league’s lone postseason bid. The only two blemishes on the campaign came at the hands of first place Long Beach, which went unbeaten in conference play.

“We really didn’t have any margin for error,” said second-year coach Vanessa Vidalon. “Playoffs hadn’t been a focus in Freeport in recent years and for it to be within our grasp is a big step.”

Freeport’s rise to near the top of the league standings was paced by leading goal scorer Mia Almonte, a co-captain who tallied 11 points and also stepped up to play defense in the regular season finale against Long Beach. Senior co-captain Camryn Taylor also took on a major leadership role splitting time between midfield and the backline.

“They are so versatile,” Vidalon said of her captains. “Wherever I need them they are there.”

Taylor finished her Freeport career on a strong note and is planning to continue her soccer career at the collegiate level. Vidalon said a variety of colleges have expressed interest in Taylor, who also works hard in the classroom.

“She is a really gifted girl who is going to do great stuff whether it’s on or off the field,” said Vidalon of Taylor, who tallied an assist in a 4-1 win against Freeport on Oct. 4. “She is super dedicated.”

The strong defensive play of Taylor was backstopped by a stellar season in goal by sophomore keeper Gabriella Rios. The young net-minder registered 52 saves on the season including eight in a 1-1 tie against Uniondale on Oct. 12.

“She made some amazing game-saving stops,” said Vidalon of Rios. “She was big for us.”

Rios was among multiple key underclassmen who picked up their play throughout the fall. Rios was also pleased with the midfield play of sophomores Kelcy Woodward and Ashley Peralta, who both delivered big up field passes to set up goals on transition.

“They both have incredible ways of utilizing themselves on the wing,” said Vidalon of her sophomore midfield duo. “They were a major part of creating goals with many assists.”

Vidalon said the most impressive win on the season was a 2-1 triumph against local rival Uniondale on Sept. 19 that featured goals from Almonte and Eolyn Carbajal along with assists by Hayley Matthews and Nakacee McNab. The early-season victory versus one of conference’s top teams made an early statement that Freeport was ready to compete at a high level and Vidalon hopes that mentality carries over into 2018.

“To see the girls grow the past two years has been tremendous,” said Vidalon, who improved by two wins from a 3-2-1 conference record her first season behind the bench. “Now we are a force to be reckoned with.”