Thursday, October 1, 2026
North Shore girls soccer stumbled to a 1-3-1 start - 1-2 in conference. But coach Jaden Galluzzo believes that ledger doesn't reflect the talent level.
The Vikings were young last season but still made the playoffs. A more seasoned group with four seniors was expected to rack up more wins. While the defense has been terrific, the offense still needs to blossom.
"Our problem right now is we don't show up for games,'' Galluzzo said. "The nerves of the game, we're putting too much pressure on ourselves and getting intimidated by knowing how good the other teams are based on last year. They don't play to their full potential.''
Indeed Galluzzo sees so much more in practice. The defense is spearheaded by elite goalie Charlotte Healy, who has 38 saves, and senior center-back Zoe Carrillo.
Galluzzo feels Healy's standout play can lead "The Maroon'' back to the playoffs. "She is very vocal with great hands and sees the field great,'' Galluzzo said. "She is the solid back for us - fast to get down, fast to get up.''
Healy was spectacular during a close 3-1 loss to powerful Seaford on Sept. 9th. North Shore trailed 1-0 with 12 minutes left before the game got away.
"Our record doesn't show it but we held our own against the tough teams,'' Galluzzo said.
"I think we've started off pretty strong,'' said Carrillo, who has 2 goals, 1 assist. "There are definitely things we can work on but as a group we have a lot of potential. Our defense and midfield are very solid. Getting more shots on goal is what we need right now.''
One promising sign is in its last game Sept. 10 – a 4-1 loss at Rosyln –junior midfielder Kasvhi Bhogadi finally scored her season's first goal. "She's a great player – hard worker and aggressive,'' Galluzzo said.
Bhogadi's goal was a pretty play off a free kick, Alyssa Uliano crossed a pass and Bhogadi one-timed it over the right shoulder of the netminder.
Another standout is Giovanna Corridan (1 goal, 1 assist). She controls the midfield and is aggressive on the ball.
"We are learning and growing with our formation,'' Galluzzo said. "The way we move through the middle is what helps us grow. I still feel we have a chance this season. We're growing each day. It's a work in progress.''
Carrillo, committed to soccer at Queens College, is the linchpin. "She's basically the foundation to the middle of our field,'' Galluzzo said. "She keeps us together, is aggressive and wins every 50-50.''
"I think communication is very big part of how I play,'' Carrillo said. "It's a baseline for the game of soccer. And (me) being a body in the back and aggressive. Communication is very big part of our team in where we stand defensively.'
North Shore has been hampered because it hasn't yet played a home game on its field, which has been under renovation. Its lone home game versus Plainedge was played on the elementary-school field. In their next outing, the Vikings have key league match at Wantagh Thursday.
"In practices, we work on many of our pieces and our aggressive but need to apply it to the game,'' Carrillo said.
