No. 4 Ranked Massapequa Chiefs Team Preview

Fresh off an appearance in the Long Island Championship Game for the first time since 2019, Massapequa comes in at number four in the LILJ top 26 preseason rankings and enters the upcoming campaign with both momentum and motivation. Head coach Kevin Catalano, now in his second year as varsity head coach after eight seasons leading the JV program, will guide a group determined to prove last season’s success was only the beginning of what has a chance to be a historic run for the program.

Massapequa captured the 2025 Nassau County title, establishing itself once again as one of the premier programs on Long Island. Despite that achievement, Catalano says the team has approached the offseason with the mindset of a program still chasing respect. The Chiefs spent the winter grinding through strength training, speed and agility work, and extra skill sessions—building a foundation for what they hope will be another long playoff run.

While the team returns a large portion of their core, they will need to replace some key graduates from the title-winning squad. Goaltender Michael Jannotte anchored the defense last spring, posting 253 saves and a 62.6% save percentage, making him one of the most reliable goalies in Nassau County. On defense, Will Krieg and Harrison Heckman provided experience and physicality in front of the cage. The midfield unit also loses important contributors in Matt Pettis, who scored 20 goals and 15 assists for 35 points, and Joey Diesso, who added 30 points (16 goals, 14 assists).

Despite those departures, Massapequa’s returning talent suggests the offense should remain dangerous. They have a lethal and dynamic attack duo in the junior class with Rocco Spallina (UPenn) and Nolan Wieczorek (Richmond) who were both two of team’s top playmakers last season. Spallina led the team in goals as he found the back of the net 52 times with 13 assists for 65 points. Wieczorek had a team high 76 points a season ago with 41 goals and 35 assists giving the Chiefs a dynamic scoring threat capable of taking over games. With another two seasons together it’s scary to think about the type of damage this duo can continue to do not just in Nassau County but across the island.

Senior attackman Tyler Byrnes (UMass) is another proven weapon after producing 56 points with 31 goals, and 25 assists in 2025. With his ability to both score and distribute, Byrnes provides leadership and balance to the offensive unit. In the midfield, senior Braden Tucker adds scoring punch after recording 26 points, while the athletic Justin Farrell (Michigan) anchors the defense and helps set the tone on the back end.

Face-offs will remain a strength for the Chiefs thanks to returning specialist junior Ryan Chabus who won at 55% clip with a total of 148 wins.

Several players are also poised to take on larger roles in 2026. Long-stick midfielder Casey Gilchrist could become a key presence, while midfielders Luke Garguilo (Binghamton), Jake Byrnes, Dylan Milio, Ryan Kiderman (Sacred Heart), and Sean Durnin (Adelphi) provide a deep pool of versatile athletes capable of impacting multiple phases of the game. Garguilo and the younger Byrnes already showed flashes of offensive production last season, recording 12 and 10 points respectively.

That versatility is one of the defining traits of this year’s roster. Catalano describes the team as a “Swiss Army knife,” loaded with players who can shift positions and create different looks depending on the situation. That flexibility allows the coaching staff to experiment with matchups and strategies while keeping opponents guessing.

Equally important is the identity the Chiefs have embraced. Catalano emphasizes a gritty, max-effort culture where every practice and game is approached with the same intensity. Whether it’s a walkthrough or a championship matchup, the expectation is full commitment from the entire roster.

With strong returning scorers, depth across the midfield, and a defense ready to step into larger roles, Massapequa enters the 2026 season not simply trying to defend its title but aiming to etch their names in the history books. The Chiefs know they will face a target every time they take the field, but with their relentless work ethic and championship experience, they appear well-equipped for another run at the top of Nassau County and potentially a run at the state championship. They will be challenged early and often, starting off with three straight games against Suffolk County opponents in East Islip (March 19th), Sayville (March 21st), and Mount Sinai (March 23rd) before they open up with their first Nassau County opponent when they face Bethpage on March 26th.