No. 9 Ranked Ward Melville Patriots Team Preview

As we’re now inside the top 10 of the LILJ top 26 preseason rankings, the Ward Melville Patriots enter at number nine. This is a team that has plenty of optimism and momentum under head coach Stephanie Peragallo, who begins her fifth year at the helm. Last season saw a young roster make a deep playoff run to the county finals. With a team that blends plenty of experienced varsity contributors and emerging young talent, the Patriots are aiming to take another step forward by building consistency and, above all, staying healthy throughout the spring.

The strength of this year’s team lies in its returning core, led by a midfield group that brings production and versatility. Keira Pirozzi (Marist) returns after a standout 2025 season in which she posted 51 points, serving as a prolific scoring threat. Fellow captain Mia Modica (Hofstra) adds balance and toughness through the middle, coming off a 22-point campaign, while Quinlan Heilbron (Clemson) anchors the defensive unit and sets the tone with her communication and tenacity. Their young core includes freshman Nicole Manolakes who burst onto the scene last year as an eighth grader with a 25 point season.

Ward Melville is especially excited about the return of Aliya Leonard (Yale), who missed time last season due to injury. With her back at full strength, Leonard is expected to play a much larger role in the midfield, adding speed and two-way impact. Maeve McKay (Bryant) is another player poised for an expanded role after contributing in 2025.

The Patriots will look to replace key graduates Peyton Phillips and Ava Simonton, both of whom played important roles in 2025. While their departures leave experience to be filled, the coaching staff is confident that players like sophomore Addison Scott are ready to step into a larger responsibility. They return sophomore goalie Sydney Millett, one of islands top goalies in the class who made 86 saves while seeing plenty of time last year as a freshman, gaining valuable varsity experience that should pay dividends in 2026.

With captains Heilbron, Pirozzi, Leonard, and Modica leading the way, Ward Melville’s identity is centered on leadership, balance, and resilience. If the Patriots can stay healthy and continue developing their young contributors, Ward Melville has the pieces in place to be very competitive throughout the season and position itself as a dangerous matchup come playoff time, as they aim for their second LIC appearance in three years. The regular season opener for the Patriots is a league matchup against Sachem North on 3/27.