Last year John Jay enjoyed another outstanding campaign as it finished 10-5-2 and won a league championship. The Indians then earned a 1-0 playoff triumph against Clarkstown North before having its season ended in a 2-1 loss to North Rockland.
Looking to keep John Jay's winning tradition alive will be the Indians three senior co-captains, midfielder Zoe Boyd and central backs, Natasha Cucullo and Emily Johnston.
John Jay coach Paul Smith, who enters his 26th year on the sideline coaching the Tribe, says the team's chances this year will center around those three.
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"Their leadership is one reason why they are captains," Smith said. "Second of all they have gone through the battles. They were very key players last year. Natasha actually ended up in our final game playing midfield, scoring a goal against North Rockland. Zoe, with her presence on the field, can take over a game. Emily really, really solidifies the backs. She is a calming influence back there. She never makes a mistake."
John Jay's other key returning players are junior midfielder Callie Deitrick, sophomore midfielder Hannah Wear, junior goalkeeper Stephanie Riocci and junior Clare Cirillo, who will play either outside back or central midfielder—her 2009 position.
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Deitrick's value last year was that she could move around and could do so again this year if needed.
"She can be used in several key positions, whether as central midfielder or a center back," Smith said. That's one reason why she is going to be important this year."
Smith said Wear will probably play in the center as a center-midfielder.
"She is one of those players that worked really hard over the year and really has shined," Smith said.
Riocci didn't get a chance to play in goal much last year because she was behind one of the best in the section—Kelly Sposato, who graduated in June—but now she will get a chance this year to show what she can do.
"Kelly was spectacular all year," Smith said. "It's now Stephanie's position this year. She is ready for it. Keeper is always going to be a central player."
Cirillo will cause the opposition fits with her ability to get up and down the field.
"She creates a lot of problems because of her speed of attack with the ball," Smith said. "Whether it's out of the back or out of the midfield, she just comes at you with the speed and toughness to match."
A newcomer that could be a John Jay standout is junior forward Allie Weiller, a transfer from North Carolina. Weiller's move up north is a fortunate one for Smith because he needed someone to help make up for the loss of now-alumnus Nicole Silenok, who was the Indians leading scorer a year ago.
"Allie is a very polished player," Smith said.
As for team goals, Smith said they are similar to what they always have been—to win the league during the regular season.
"We are in a new league, which we always seem to be in, with some new teams like Mahopac and Carmel and old friends like Yorktown and Somers," Smith said. "It's a tough, deep league. We hope to be in the running for that."
What Smith and his squad would like to improve on is their postseason performance.
"Sectionals, we have been a little frustrated," Smith said. "We haven't been able to break out of the quarterfinals. I think there is more of a sense of urgency to get beyond that level and go from there."
