2011 Preview: Sachem North Girls Soccer

Head Coach: Claude Amballobieta, 12^th season

2010 Record: 7-4-1 in League II

2011 Pre-season ranking: 3rd in League I

Top Players

• Erin McNulty, senior goalkeeper
• Ashlee Thompson, senior forward
• Briana Harris, senior defender
• Melissa Michels, sophomore forward
• Courtney Cohen, junior midfielder

Key Losses

• Kellie Sfraga, defender
• Cat Viscardi, forward
• Lexi Trainor, defender

Position Breakdown

High school coaches frequently are forced to rebuild after major losses due to graduation. That’s next year’s problem for Sachem North coach Claude Amballobieta. For 2011, he has a senior-laden squad, with 14 of his 28 roster spots filled by seniors.

For Sachem, it all starts in goal with senior Erin McNulty. “She’s our anchor,” Amballobieta said. “She’s a very good athlete and a very driven kid. And she’s a natural team leader.”

In Sachem’s two non-league contests this season, McNulty had back-to-back shutouts, defeating Deer Park and Walt Whitman by identical 1–0 scores.

In front of McNulty, Amballobieta will have to find a replacement for Trainor and Sfraga, both stars on defense. Briana Harris will be looked to for skill and leadership in the backline.

“She’s incredibly difficult to beat one on one,” Amballobieta said of Harris. “She can clear the ball equally well with both her right and left foot, which is a tremendous skills to have as a sweeper.”

Midfielder Courtney Cohen is perhaps Sachem’s best all-around player. The junior has played varsity since the seventh grade and is described by Amballobieta as the team’s “most fit player.

“She’s very skilled and she’s constantly playing," the coach said of Cohen. "You can see that when you watch her play.”

Up front, Ashlee Thompson keys the offense. “She’s nothing but speed,” Amballobieta said. “Speed is crucial and that’s something you can’t coach. Ashlee works very hard. She sees herself as a threat every time she has the ball.”

If the junior forward is Sachem’s top offensive threat, sophomore Melissa Michels is their up-and-coming star. Amballobieta sees parallels between Michels’ development and that of Thompson. “I’d like to think that in 2 years, she’ll be like Ashlee. There’s striking similarities.”

Expectations

In League I, Sachem’s toughest competition will come from Ward Melville, Longwood and Patchogue-Medford. By moving out of League II, Sachem may get a bit of a break in its goal to make the playoffs. “Overall, [League I] is not as strong as League II, “Amballobieta said.

With a 12-game league schedule, Sachem will need to win six games in order to make the post season, which Amballobieta feels is reasonable, although he admits that in the playoffs, “more than likely we’d be playing on the road.

“We’re going to try and win every game. I’m going to play our best, most experienced players and worry about [losing 14 seniors] next year. I’ll work in the younger players during scrimmages and when our games are already decided.”

Key Games

• September 26 at Longwood
• October 5 at Ward Melville
• October 11 vs. Patchogue-Medford