No. 2 Ranked Sayville Golden Flashes Team Preview

With just two teams remaining in the LILJ top 25 preseason rankings it’s the Sayville Golden Flashes coming in at number 2. Last year was a storybook season, going a perfect 21-0 on their path to the program’s first ever New York State Championship. Now they enter the new season as the team to beat in Class C and will be looking to make it back-to-back. At the helm for Sayville is Head Coach Gary Jensen who guided this program over the top in his first year after they had been on the cusp the last few seasons. During the offseason Sayville was a participant in the LILJ HSWL to help them get set for their title defense this spring.

The offense for the Golden Flashes averaged 10.7 goals per game last year which was the sixth most in Suffolk County, and will once be very prolific with a number of their attack and midfielders returning, giving them a plethora of dynamic players. The midfield returns the talented trio of Sophia Buffardi (UNC), Sofia Cangelosi (Michigan) and Olivia DeSimone (FSU). The junior Buffardi is one of the game’s premier players in the 2026 class, and in her sophomore year she was instrumental in their run to the championship, scoring 53 goals with 8 assists for 61 points. Buffardi also played a huge role on the draw circle as their primary draw taker. Cangelosi added 51 points with 37 goals and 14 assists, and DeSimone scored 17 goals with 11 assists for 28 points. Adding to their midfield this year is junior Morgan Farrell (Hopkins) who transfers back from Kellenberg, and back from injury this year is junior Rutgers commit Carly Cangelosi. Their attack returns upperclassmen Abby Galaris (Wesleyan) in the senior class and Jenna Messina (Coastal Carolina) in the junior class. The two combined for 76 points with 40 from Galaris and 36 from Messina. In the sophomore class is one of the elite 2027s on the island in lefty Dylan McNamara the attack/midfielder. As a freshman McNamara delivered on the big stage as a vital part of their championship run, scoring 40 goals with 10 assists for 50 points. McNamara will continue to be a household name in this program for the next three years. One key player from last year’s attack was McKenna Farrell who was part of the 2024 graduating class.

Defensively is where they will look different with defenders Courtney Thornton, Loghan McNamara and Delaney Lutz as part of the 2024 graduating class. The defense does return senior defenders Lucy Livingston (USF) and Carly Brady (ESU) and junior Paige Manning (Quinnipiac). Back in goal as the starter for her junior season is Julia Lilienthal (Vanderbilt) who recorded 77 saves last season. As a team their defense allowed fewer than six goals per game.

With the start of the season just around the corner, coach Jensen shared his excitement and what the keys will be to a successful season.

“I’m excited about their work ethic, drive to get better, willingness to share the ball and the keys will be control the draws, stay healthy, play together.”

Their quest for a second straight state championship begins with the regular season opener on March 29th against Harborfields.