Girls Soccer Team Climbing National, State Rankings

The West Islip High School girls soccer team is beginning to get a taste of what the goes through on an annual basis. All of their success on-field is translating to accolades off it.  

The girls, who currently have a perfect record (9-0) on the season, have been climbing national and state soccer rankings over the last few weeks.

Through Oct. 9, they're ranked No. 19 in the nation in the ESPNHS Powerade Fab 50 poll.  The New York State Sportwriters Association has them as the top-ranked girls soccer team in the state. Newsday ranks them No. 2 in their Island-wide poll. 

"They just want to play West Islip soccer," said head coach Nick Grieco.  "I told them we were ranked in the state and it didn’t even phase them. I tell them we’re only good as our next win."

And their next win won't be particularly easy to come by.  The Lions will battle Northport, who is in second place in League II, Tuesday afternoon.

"They know if we don't win this game, then the previous wins don't have much worth," Grieco said.

Amanda Martinez, a senior forward, has been getting a bulk of the attention for West Islip.  Probably because she's already netted a Long Island-high of 15 goals.  

But Grieco is also quick to credit two girls who have switched positions. He noted Kelly Walter and Jen Martinez (Amanda's sister) as key contributors to a solid defense.  "We’re talking about two starters back from last year that have really elevated their games this season," he said. 

So just over the midway point of the season, the girls find themselves on the brink of yet another playoff run. Grieco is confident that if his players maintain the "team first" mentality, they'll be able to accomplish their season goal of becoming Long Island champions. 

"No one’s worried about playing time, everyone is doing what they can to make their other teammates successful," he said.  "All the kids buy into what we’re doing. "