Long Beach aims for playoff run

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A true team effort has put Long Beach girls’ soccer into position postseason run.

Long Beach's unbeaten run in Conference AA-III entering the week has been aided by 18 of the team’s 22 players registering at least one goal or assist. The Lady Marines were in position to clinch a playoff berth with just one more win either against Freeport or Hempstead.

“Our girls have really come together as a team and are playing with great chemistry,” said Long Beach head coach Michael Santoro. “Everyone knows their role on the team and is willing to do whatever it takes to get the win.”

Long Beach’s explosive offense has featured more than 30 goals led by senior Grace Conway, freshman Emily Aitchison, and sophomore Cate Conway. The trio combined for five goals in a 6-0 win against Westbury on Oct. 3.

"They are a triple threat that look like they have been playing together their whole lives," said Santoro, who is leading the Long Beach varsity girls soccer program this fall after serving as an assistant coach the last two years under Tara Wesselhoft, who is currently on maternity leave. "They play really beautiful soccer." 

The balanced scoring effort has also been supported by Megan Korotz, Kaitlin Kelliher, Mia Kreiss, Jillian Canner, Emma Pfaff, and Sam Inselberg.  Long Beach has netted three or more four goals four times this season.

Santoro said the key for Long Beach’s success this season has been stellar defensive play with five shutouts on the season.  The stout backline comprised of Victoria Posada, Skyler Catrambone, Fiona Rafferty, Daisy Willard, and Sarah Reznick has only let up two goals in conference play. Sophomore goalkeeper Sage Bernstein has anchored the defense with some dominating performances including 18 saves in a 2-0 non-league win versus Island Trees on Sept. 8.

“She has turned into a shutdown goalie,” Santoro said of Bernstein. “She has stood on her head to make some of the saves.”

Long Beach entered the season with little margin for error needing to go 7-1 in league play to reach the playoffs. The Marines were dropped down a division after a 0-8-2 season in Conference AA-II last season and Santoro said there is extra motivation to show the league that they can compete at the highest level.

"Assuming we make the playoffs, we will definitely be considered the underdogs as the only Conference III team in the playoffs," Santoro said. "However, these girls love the pressure and are excited for the opportunity to upset some higher ranking teams." 

Long Beach closes the regular season with a senior day home game against Hempstead on Thursday starting at 4:30 p.m. Santoro said his players are focused on bigger goals beyond achieving the program’s third playoff appearance in five years.

“These girls have really set their goals high and just making the playoffs isn’t enough,” he said. “We’re ready to make that push.”