Babylon aims for continued success

Season No. 2 of Babylon girls’ soccer under coach Stuart Love has begun.

After winning Suffolk and Long Island titles and reaching the New York State Class B finals in 2023, the team is aiming to replicate its success. That is the message that Love has told his players.

“I told them let’s have another good season by continuing to move forward,” said Love. “If we focus on chemistry, results will come.”

Babylon’s captains are Grace Varley and Riley Altman. Coming off of a season in which she earned second team All-State honors, Varley is expected to have another big season as a forward.

Altman, a center-midfielder, aims to lead by example in her season. “She’s a really tough player,” Love said. “She plays the whole game which is really valuable to us.”

Sarah Klienitzke is the only returning starter on defense. Her leadership in that area of the field is going to be crucial in Babylon’s success. Starting center back, Chelsea Gersbeck, has a great partnership with Klienitzke. “The two of them have great chemistry together,” Love said. “Chelsea has had a really good start to the season and we’ve loved to see that.”

Another key contributor that’s back for her senior season is midfielder Hazel Bivona, who was the team’s top returning goal scorer from a year ago. “She’s very composed with the ball,” said Love. “Very rarely does she turn the ball over and has become so good at timing her runs to arrive at the penalty box at the perfect moment.”

One big question mark coming into the season was the production that Babylon would get out of Shayden Kenedy. The junior tore her ACL in 2023. “She’s worked her way back surprisingly quick,” said Love. “It’s been such a huge boost to the team seeing her out there. She’s really exceeded expectations on how soon she got back out there on the field with her teammates.”

As for newcomers, there are multiple players the coaching staff is excited about. Emma Muccioli is a sophomore who made the varsity roster. “Emma has really made a good impression on the coaching staff,” Love said. “She’s got great stamina which is important.”

The only freshman on the roster is midfielder Julia Wider. In her first season, she already has three goals in the first three games. As Love mentioned, chemistry plays a large role in this group’s success and Wider has done her best to provide that “She fits in well with all the older players on the team,” said Love. “The seniors have taken her under their wing.” While off the field, Wider has done a great job, the goals she’s buried in the back of the net on the field have come from hard work and determination in practice. “She’s put in some much time and effort at practice,” Love said.

Getting back to the state finals won’t be easy according to Love. After losing its first league game 2-1 to Kings Park, Love is hoping the Panthers can use this tough schedule as a way to prepare his team for the playoffs.

“When it comes postseason time in November, we’ll be battle tested,” Love said. “The tough regular season will allow us to shape the team and improve.”