Long Island boys soccer: Top 10 storylines this season

Lace up those cleats. Varsity soccer is back, and there’s no shortage of excitement for boys soccer across Long Island. Here are 10 storylines to watch for across Nassau and Suffolk, as well as the CHSAA and PSAA this fall.

Can Great Neck South build on its historic fall season?

The Rebels may have missed the playoffs by a single game, but the program still had a lot to be proud of in 2024. Great Neck South finished with a 7-8 record — its best in seven years — and brings back its best player in midfielder Will Gleason.

Keep an eye on the Rebels’ game against MacArthur on Sept. 25.

How will Portledge respond to its PSAA semifinal loss?

Fall 2024 marked the first time in five years that Portledge ended its season short of the PSAA championship match, losing 2-1 to eventual champion Heschel.

That’s a pretty good standard to set. Now is the time to ensure that bar doesn’t slip into a two-year skid. With senior brothers Dylan and Kevin Lee running the attack, Portledge is positioned to bounce back.

A non-league game against Friends Academy on Sept. 20 and a league match against Stony Brook School on Sept. 25 should be telling of this team’s potential.

Miller Place became one of the best stories in 2024. Was it a sign of more to come?

Going 12-5-1 is impressive for most schools on Long Island, but it’s downright historic for a Miller Place program that hadn’t won more than three games since 2017.

With numerous returning starters, including standouts in Nicholas Russo, AJ Galfano and Erik Eichler to name a few, there’s reason to expect an encore in 2025. An Oct. 11 matchup with Shoreham-Wading River should provide a good test for the Panthers, particularly after the Wildcats bested them, 2-1, a year ago.

Can Kellenberg or St. John the Baptist play the spoiler in CHSAA?

Either St. Anthony’s or Chaminade has won the CHSAA every fall since 2012. Both Kellenberg and St. John the Baptist will look to change that this fall.

The Firebirds lost both of their games to the Friars last season by a single goal, including a 2-1 semifinal result. While Chaminade handily defeated Kellenberg in 2024, a new fall season always provides a chance to do something special.

St. John the Baptist should not be forgotten. The Cougars return three starters along their backline a year after beating St. Anthony’s for the first time since coach Noah Molina took over in 2023 and took a talented Chaminade team to overtime in the CHSAA semifinal.

Garden City boasted the best season among Long Island programs in 2024. Could there be more to come?

Garden City not only won its first state title in 2024 but did so in an undefeated manner while outscoring opponents 87-7 as the Trojans won 23 consecutive games en route to making history in Middletown. Despite stars such as Justin Woodbine and Myles Watson graduating, it’s possible Nassau sees more of the same from coach Paul Cutter’s side.

Thomas Fargione and Charlie Koester return to anchor the backline with Dylan Fisher leading the way in front of him. Jack Costa is still lurking next to defenders, eager to add to his point total after tallying eight goals and 10 assists a year ago.

Get your popcorn ready. There may be more greatness to come.

Whitman started 5-5 last season before winning Long Island and losing in the state semifinal. Can the Wildcats get back to Middletown?

It was a heartbreaking end to a terrific season for Whitman in 2024. Moving on without 2024 Newsday Player of the Year Michael Mannino will not be easy, but Otoniel Umana (seven goals, five assists) returns after playing a pivotal role in Whitman’s run. The Wildcats also bring back goalie Jayden Castro after a 112-save season.

It’ll be challenging, especially in a class with soccer titans in Brentwood and Commack, not to mention contenders in Connetquot and Newfield. But coach John DiGiacomo has gotten the most out of his guys before, and he will be asked to do so again this fall.

Redemption, returning starters and a renewed focus: Port Washington plans to make up for 2024 shortcomings

Coach Stephen Brossard didn’t mince words when responding to Newsday’s preseason survey about how last season ended, a home loss in penalty kicks to Massapequa.

“The loss was not indicative of how good the team last year was,” Brossard said, “The coaches and team are looking to prove that with this season's roster.”

The Vikings return their entire backline, headlined by senior Matt Kokkalakis, as well as standout midfielders in senior Luke McNaughton (three goals, eight assists) and junior Sam Adler (seven goals, two assists).

A rematch against Massapequa on Sept. 29 should be intense, but all eyes will be set on October when Port Washington could have a chance to battle for its second county title and first since 2018.

Mineola enters a new era but upholds the same standard following the retirement of seven-year coach Al Cavalluzzo.

Mineola enjoyed a 14-win season under Cavalluzzo, another feather in the cap of the coach that led the 2023 Mustangs to its first Long Island title in program history.

First-year head coach Rob Mendes takes over this fall, and no changes have been made in terms of expectations. Mineola plans to be strong contenders for the Nassau Class A title behind four-year starter Zain Rees and standout midfielder Leonel Carrillo.

An under-the-lights matchup with defending Class A state champion Floral Park at Mineola’s Hampton Stadium on Sept. 25 should provide plenty of fireworks.

Can experience propel Mattituck through the Suffolk Class B playoffs?

The Tuckers aren’t just returning eight starters, but 20 players from its young 2024 team that fell in the semifinal round to Center Moriches.

Time will tell whether Mattituck has the firepower to defeat Center Moriches or Babylon, who have combined for nine consecutive county titles. Senior Anthony Soto will look to provide just that, fresh off a junior campaign with two goals and eight assists while junior Connor Searl seeks to build on his eight-goal, six-assist sophomore season.

Coach Dan O’Sullivan also expects junior goalie Cris Cuellar to build off a strong sophomore year as he enters his third season as a starter.

Will Kings Park get over the hump in its search for a first Long Island title?

Remnants of Kings Park’s 2023 county championship team will suit up as seniors this fall. Matt Langino, Brendan Glenn and Matt Steinberg have helped the Kingsmen reach three straight county finals, but the program still seeks its first Long Island title.

Winning the county title is challenging enough. Shoreham-Wading River and Amityville, to name just two, expect to be strong contenders within Suffolk A. Kings Park does return Tom Nally as head coach, who joined five years ago but spent 2024 as an assistant.

A home matchup against Amityville on Oct. 15 will set the tone for a likely playoff run.