Since the first game of the girls’ varsity soccer season, the Lady Owls proved to be a strong competitor in their conference. Having multiple Newsday “Top-100”, all-county, and all-conference players, the team was viewed as unbeatable. The girls secured the name of 2025 ABII Conference Champions with their 3-1 win against Carle Place on October 10.
The girls practiced hard every day after school at North Middle School to achieve this goal. With help from head coach Jenna Crimmins and assistant coach Chris Balas, the team secured its title for the first time in 10 years. The girls ended the season with a 9-0-1 record. Coach Crimmins noted, “This season was a reflection of the hard work and commitment our team showed, beginning with summer workouts and then every day thereafter. After finishing second in the conference last year, we had a clear goal to come back stronger and win the conference this season, and the team never lost sight of that. Their focus, determination, and belief in each other made the difference. I’m especially proud of our 13 seniors — many of whom have been part of Lynbrook High School soccer since they were in eighth and ninth grade — for leading with heart and setting the standard for what it means to be part of this program. I believe the positive team camaraderie helped set the tone for our success and made winning the conference championship even more special.”
Thirteen seniors played their final game as a Lynbrook soccer player on Oct. 22 against Plainedge. Senior Addison DiFiore said, “It is crazy to believe it was my last game [that] I have played on Lynbrook soccer. I have been playing with the same girls since I was six years old. I am so grateful for all the memories made along the way.” After becoming conference champions, they continued on to the first round of playoffs and lost to Plainedge. The loss left members sad, knowing this was the end of their season. Lynbrook put up a good fight, and sophomore goalkeeper Raquelle Vainroob only let in four goals. Goalkeeper Raquelle Vainroob said, “I have been trained [as a] goalkeeper for over five years. I am the full-time starter for the team this year. We knew it was going to be a tough game, but we pushed through until the end. I had to make 16 saves throughout the whole game. Letting the four goals in definitely hurt but we knew that as a team we did our best.”
Throughout the playoffs, Lynbrook had to play against other schools in higher conferences for their playoff game. Although facing higher competition is typically more difficult, it allows the Lady Owls to move up a conference for next year. Next year the girls’ soccer team will participate in conference ABI playing against schools from all over Nassau, such as Wantagh, Cold Spring Harbor, and Seaford.
For the last two years, Lynbrook girls’ soccer has supported the 501(c)(3), Morgan’s Message. Morgan’s Message seeks to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health in student athletes. A game was dedicated to supporting Morgan’s Message and National Suicide Prevention Month. Special custom shirts were made with the Morgan’s Message butterfly logo on the back, and the phrase “Morgan > Athlete” written on the front.
To conclude the season, in total, eight awards were bestowed upon members of the team. The Lady Owls achieved three All-County awards, two All-County Honorable Mention, two All-Conference, and one Scholar Athlete award. Senior Leah Casolaro, who is committed to the University of South Carolina Aiken for soccer, not only received an all-county award, but she was also named “Offensive Player of the Year.” Senior Payton Stalter has also received an all-county award and was named as defensive player of the year.
While the 2025-2026 girls’ varsity soccer season has come to an end, players’ hard work paid off. The program is looking to have yet another successful season next fall.
