Girls Play for Soccer Title, Not Just Kicks

Russ McCormack has coached a lot of Bayport-Blue Point girls varsity soccer games since his first season, back in 1995. As a matter of fact, he's coached all of the Phantoms games, every one they've ever played.

McCormack was the Phantoms' first-ever coach, and some 15 years later, it's teams like this year's squad that keep him coming back for more. "We can certainly win our league this year," he said. "We have the experience and the talent."

Last year, Bayport was 8-3-1 in League VI, before suffering a first-round playoff loss to Mattituck. But with eight returning starters, this season (now in League VII) offers new optimism, which has players feeling good about themselves, and their teammates. "We already have better chemistry than we did last year," said junior midfielder Rebecca Raber. "And better chemistry makes us better overall."

McCormack promises to be "more aggressive this year. We've adjusted the talent and moved some players around," he said. A key move Phantom fans will take notice of is the placement of Abigail Gruppuso on the back line, helping to sure up the defense. Last year, Gruppuso and Jennifer Lignelli—who graduated in May—"made up about 50 percent of our scoring," McCormack said. "But we have experienced players who are ready to step up and provide more offense."

Those players include Raber, who earned All-County honors last year, Danielle Heyder, Kaitlyn Leahy and Sarah Painter. "I don't know if we're a better team (than the 2009 team), but we have the right people at the right position," said Katie Knapp, a senior defender who will pair with Gruppuso to comprise a formidable back line, in front of goalkeeper Mariah Valva. "We are stronger defensively, and we're working better as a team," said Knapp, who's played on varsity since her sophomore year.

Knapp has seen a lot of varsity soccer, but not quite as much as Heyder, a junior who has played varsity since the eighth grade. Heyder's seen players come and go, teams develop and take on different personalities. "We have a lot of talent that's come up. When I was in eighth grade it was the juniors and seniors that we all relied on. But now, we have younger players that will contribute."

In preparation for what McCormack sees as a very competitive campaign, he's scheduled two non-league games against bigger, tougher opponents, Shoreham-Wading River and Sayville, before starting his league schedule September 21st, hosting Hampton Bays. "We're somewhere in the middle of the pack right now," he said. "We're a fairly tight team and that's important. They know what the other player is going to do and that's a big advantage."

McCormack should know an advantage when he sees it. After all, when it comes to Phantoms soccer, he's seen it all.