12 Long Island, NY High School Players You Should Get To Know

Long Island's Dirty Dozen – 12 Uncommitted Players - Part 1   USE THE PROMO CODE almasin30 for a discount on your first subscription   Long Island, NY, is a hotbed for girls' soccer.  There is a massive amount of talent found in a very small geographic space.  The Long Island soccer scene is equivalent to trying to squeeze 10 lbs of potatoes into a 5 lb bag.  For those unfamiliar with Long Island, it comprises the boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn as well as Nassau and Suffolk Counties and has a population density close to the entire state of Virginia but totals only 1400 square miles.  It is smaller than the state of Rhode Island, but if it were a state, it would rank as the 13th largest state by population.  What does this mean for girls' soccer?    The talent pool runs very deep, beyond just the ECNL and GA. High-level talent can be found very easily, spanning from academies to town teams, as the talent of soccer players on Long Island is extensive and oftentimes unseen by many college scouts. Using the comparison made before, Virginia has six full ECNL clubs, whereas Long Island has two, serving the same population base.  This article will highlight 12 uncommitted high school players from both Nassau and Suffolk Counties across the classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 that you should get to know. This is just the tip of the iceberg for Long Island Soccer!  Part 2 will feature 2028 and 2029 players.   Featured Players are:   [player_tooltip player_id='276087' first='Katielynn' last='Goncalves']   Rebecca Gillon   Ava DeMarco   [player_tooltip player_id='276166' first='Leah' last='Mendolia']   MayLee Chin   Hailey Halloran     Player #1 - [player_tooltip player_id='276087' first='Katielynn' last='Goncalves'] – Class of 2026    Katielynn is a crafty midfielder who acts as the creative heartbeat of her team.  Her exceptional technical ability is evident in her clean first touch and poised control, allowing her to navigate tight spaces with confidence and skill.  She is not just a player with the ball at her feet; she is a true student of the game.  What sets Katielynn apart is her remarkable field vision.  She reads the flow of play exceptionally well, anticipating movements and identifying passing lanes that others often miss.  This allows her to orchestrate the attack and make intelligent decisive plays. Complementing her on-field intelligence is a fantastic work ethic.  Katielynn's dedication is clear in her relentless effort, whether she's tracking back on defense or constantly moving to provide an option for a teammate.  This combination of technical finesse, tactical awareness and tireless determination makes her an invaluable asset in the midfield.    Katielynn's Highlight Video - <a href="https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/katielynn_goncalves">https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/katielynn_goncalves</a>     Player #2 - Rebecca Gillon – Class of 2026    Gillon is a technical goalie who has really come into her own and become a well-rounded keeper.  Very vocal and skilled in the back.  Gillon is an asset to Commack's system.  She started all of her JV games as a 9th and 10th grader, always stuck behind a senior for the Varsity roll.  This season she earned the spot and hasn't looked back.  She has only conceded 1 goal so far this season in 7 games.  Any coach would be happy to know they have a solid player and person in Rebecca in the net.    Player #3 - Ava DeMarco – Class of 2027    Ava is a dynamic forward who has speed and incredible vision.  She has the ability to create goal scoring opportunities for her teammates as well as create goal scoring opportunities for herself.  She has an incredibly high soccer IQ, always knowing where to go to create space for herself or her teammate with the ball.  Her competitive edge, soccer IQ and eye for the goal set her apart from her peers.  She is a three-sport athlete, playing at the high school level since 8th grade in all three sports (Soccer, Basketball and Lacrosse).  Although she is a three sport athlete she would like to continue soccer at the Collegiate level.  She is not only the leading goal scorer for her high school and club teams, but also currently the leading goal scorer in Suffolk County for High School Soccer.    Player #4 - [player_tooltip player_id='276166' first='Leah' last='Mendolia'] – Class of 2027    Leah had six goals and nine assists for Bayshore High School last year.  She is an explosive player with a powerful shot and captains her varsity team.  She has been named Newsday's top 100 Long Island players for two years in a row (2024 & 2025).  Leah has both the ability to hold the ball as well as finish inside the box.    Player #5 - MayLee Chin – Class of 2028    MayLee is a highly versatile and intelligent soccer player known for her adaptability across multiple positions on the field. She is capable of contributing in various roles but primarily operates as a Midfielder or Forward, where her technical abilities shine. A cerebral player with a naturally high soccer IQ, MayLee excels at maintaining fluid ball movement. Beyond her tactical and technical strengths, MayLee is a formidable aerial presence. She consistently exhibits the ability to convert a significant number of her goals through headers. Overall, MayLee is a tactically astute player whose versatile skill set makes her an asset in any possession-based, modern system.    Player #6 - Hailey Halloran – Class of 2028    Hailey Halloran is a commanding presence between the posts – a tall, athletic goalkeeper with excellent shot-stopping ability and strong leadership from the back.  Hailey's work ethic, game IQ and commitment to continuous improvement make her a high-upside prospect for collegiate programs seeking a reliable and driven goalkeeper.

Long Island's Dirty Dozen – 12 Uncommitted Players - Part 1