Sachem East Secures 2026 Long Island Soccer Title on Penalty Kick

Sachem East claimed the Long Island Class AAA girls soccer championship on Sunday night, ending a title drought that has persisted since 2007.

The victory came after a scoreless draw through regulation and overtime against Oceanside at Farmingdale State. The match proceeded to a penalty kick shootout, where Sachem East prevailed 4-3. Sophomore Audrey McCarville converted the decisive kick, striking the ball into the bottom left corner with her right foot to seal the win.

The path to the championship required consistent defensive performance. Sachem East goalkeeper Paige Seaman recorded nine saves during the 120 minutes of open play. She added two crucial stops in the shootout, diving to her left to bat down Oceanside's second and fourth attempts. Coach Glen Monsen noted that Seaman had made game-winning saves multiple times during the season, citing her performance in the final as a key factor in the result.

Oceanside controlled possession and generated more shots than Sachem East throughout the match. However, the team failed to convert those chances into goals. Oceanside coach Danielle Chiera stated that her players were resilient and maintained ball control in the opponent's half, but they could not find the back of the net. Defenders Aaliyah Hollis and Nicolette Sevimlioglu also made key plays to limit Oceanside's scoring opportunities.

The roster is notably young, with only one senior, Aubree Ellis, who serves as a team captain. Ellis described the group as a family working toward a common goal. McCarville, who took the final penalty kick, said she knew where to place the ball and felt the victory was a tribute to the senior leadership on the field.

The team will next face the winner of the Section I or Section IX championship in a regional final scheduled for Saturday. This upcoming match marks the next step in the program's postseason run following the Long Island title.

Monsen expressed confidence in the team's abilities throughout the season, stating that the squad possessed the talent, toughness, and intelligence necessary to compete at the highest level. He emphasized that while he did not guarantee a specific outcome, he believed the players were capable of achieving a championship.