Commack girls soccer team wins first state title behind goals from Melena Cerulli, Valentina Castelli
The Commack girls soccer team rejoice after winning their 2025 New York State Class AAA Girls Soccer Championship game at Homer High School in Homer, N.Y., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, defeating Cicero-North Syracuse, 2-0. Credit: Heather Ainsworth/Heather Ainsworth
CORTLAND — With the clock winding under 10 minutes and flurries drifting across the field, junior Melena Cerulli found an opening and slipped her shot into the net, extending Commack's lead and giving the Cougars vital breathing room. From there, every second felt like a countdown to history.
Commack went on to defeat Section III’s Cicero-North Syracuse, 2-0, on Sunday afternoon at Homer High School, capturing the state Class AAA title. It is the program’s first state championship.
“We always talk about how nothing is given,” coach Joseph Brandofino said. “They earned it, they earned every second of it. They fought during every single game, and to bring this back to the community, it’s so special.”
Cerulli, who had entered the game seconds earlier, said she was ready for the moment.
“I was on the sideline, and Coach looked at me and said, ‘Go bury one,’ ” she said. “Coincidentally, I got the ball and just shot it without even looking up. When I saw it go in, I was so excited.”
Junior Valentina Castelli opened the scoring for Commack earlier in the half. She stepped up to the penalty mark and drilled a shot to the bottom right corner of the goal, giving the Cougars the momentum they needed.
“I knew I had to make it in so we could get ahead, but all the nerves and the pressure, I just forgot about it all in that moment,” Castelli said. “I think that was the momentum-changer of the game.”
Cicero-North Syracuse had six shot attempts in the first half, but Commack’s defense held firm. Senior goalkeeper Rebecca Gillon stopped every shot she faced and senior defender Sophie Denson threw her body in front of several others.
“I don’t care what happens as long as the ball doesn’t go into the net,” Denson said. “I was willing to do whatever it took.”
Gillon had seven saves.
“I just knew how much we deserved this,” she said. “I wasn’t going to let a goal in and have us lose. It was amazing to see Sophie throwing herself into the goal and saving a couple of shots I missed.”
Commack (18-2-2) was perfect in goal across the state semifinal and final and recorded its 10th shutout.
“It’s unbelievable to watch that defense,” Brandofino said. “Two shutouts in the state semis and finals; it’s really just incredible.”
The Cougars’ run to the state championship wasn’t traditional. They fell to Northport in the Suffolk Class AAA final earlier in the month but still were allowed to compete in the at-large regional championship. They defeated Ithaca, 2-1, in a double-overtime thriller on Nov. 8.
The Commack boys soccer team had captured its first state title since 2014 just a few hours before the girls played, and sophomore Breanna Mender said it added fuel to the Cougars’ fire to bring one home as well.
“For the boys to do it first today and then us, that’s Commack history,” Mender said. “It’s the most exciting thing ever, and we’re grateful to be a part of this community.”
It marks the first time a Long Island public school has captured state titles in boys and girls soccer in the same season since Massapequa did it in 2013.
“It’s unimaginable; this means everything to me,” Denson said. “The fact that I got to do it with this group of people, it’s even more special.”
