Island soccer team starting out strong in 2026

The Shelter Island soccer team played a challenging game against the Southampton Mariners on Thursday, Sept. 24 at Fiske Field. Although they fell 6-2, they played with grit and determination and resilience.

The Islanders entered this match undermanned due to injuries, having only 11 players, just enough to fill the field, but not the bench. What posed a greater challenge was that the opposing team had an overflowing bench, about 35 individuals, allowing them to fully switch out their players and play a refreshed game.

Southampton scored the first goal of the match, but senior Cayman Morehead struck back soon after. Southampton followed by scoring 5 goals in the first half. Shelter Island played a defensive game against the Mariners’ many shots on goal. Goalie freshman Joe Rasmussen blocked more than 12 shots.

In the grueling second half of the match, junior Ryan Sanwald scored the Islanders’ second goal. The Mariners came back to score only one goal because of Islanders solid defense. In the end the Mariners won the match, but not without more attempts by the Islanders.

After the match, the Reporter checked in with coach Chris Conrardy, who acknowledged the team’s hard work. “The score doesn’t reflect how the kids played,”Mr. Conrardy said. “They fought a scrappy match having no subs.”

Coach Conrardy singled out 8th-grader Zach Hermosura for his physicality. “He battled the entire game, playing very physically,” the coach said, awarding Zach MVP of the game. “He didn’t quit when he could have many times.”

In the future Mr. Conrardy would like “to work on the team’s communication and temperament,” which they did in the second half, only allowing one goal.

At an away game on Tuesday Sept. 22 at Bayport Blue Point, the Islanders played a complete opposite game, dominating the field and winning 6-2. Eighth grader Emmanuel Mendez Gregorio and senior Evan Weslek each scored one goal and junior Ryan Sanwald scored two more.

Coach Conrardy recognized Cayman Morehead as the MVP of the match due to his scoring “two free kick goals, which are hard because they are outside the box,” meaning they had to be kicked anywhere past the 18-yard line.

At the next home game the team will face Babylon Friday, Oct. 2 at 5 p.m. at Fiske Field. Come out and show support for your Islanders.