It’s often said that defense wins championships and Long Island’s ’27 class  is loaded with defenders that can be game changers due to their skill and versatility. Some have already burst onto the scene for their varsity program and others are in store for a breakout 2026 varsity season. Now entering their junior year and going through the recruiting process, it was a summer filled with high level play across various club tournaments and recruiting showcases as they strive to find their home at the collegiate level. Let’s spotlight ten uncommitted Long Island defenders in the Class of 2027!

Claire Arendt (Garden City/Jesters Black)

Arendt stands at 5’11” and is a commanding presence on the field. She’s a strong and physical defender and uses those attributes to make opponents uncomfortable which leads to plenty of deflected passes and caused turnovers. Her ability to clear the ball allows for teams to get the transition game going. Whether it’s defending 1 on 1 or as a help defender, Arendt makes her presence felt a disrupter. Over the summer she put together strong performances at Juniors Open and with Jesters Black at various tournaments and is sure to play a big part in the Garden City defense her junior year.

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Aila Cahill (Bayport Blue Point/YJ Gaghan)

The Bayport native Cahill excels either as an on-ball or off-ball defender. She is also excellent in the clearing game and consistently makes plays that may not wind up in the box score such as giving maximum effort in chasing shots to give possessions back to her team. All of these attributes were on full display this summer both for Yellow Jackets Gaghan and at recruiting showcases including Juniors Open.

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Kylie Coners (Wantagh/Jesters Black)

Coners of Wantagh can cover plenty of ground with her speed and athleticism as a backer defender and is adept at being able intercept passes and take the ball down the field. She often times will win the battle for 50/50 ground balls and when lined up on the circle is very skilled at securing possessions off the draw. This summer Coners exhibited these skills plenty for Jesters at tournaments including Summer Genesis and Maryland Cup.

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Sarah Franke (Commack/Top Guns Black)

One of the premier athletes in the class on the island is Franke of Commack. She’s an aggressive 1 on 1 defender with really good footwork and is a human clear. Her athleticism also allows her to play midfield as well. As a two-year starter for Commack she’s been instrumental in the Cougars being one of the top teams in Suffolk County, and excelled over the summer playing for Top Guns Black at tournaments including Summer Genesis and Maryland Cup.

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Juliana Gandolfo (St. Anthony’s/Top Guns Black)

Gandolfo of St. Anthony’s is a shutdown cover defender that can matchup against opposing team’s top offensive attackers and take them out of the game with her strength and physicality. She consistently makes big plays whether it’s forcing opponents into low percentage shots or laying her body on the line to take a charge. Gandolfo is also a threat on the offense as someone that can play offensive midfield and score goals. This summer was a big one for Gandolfo on Top Guns Black showing that her game translates to the collegiate level.

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Quinlan Heilbron (Ward Melville/YJ Grazidei Stadler) 

Heilbron of Ward Melville is a high level 1 on 1 defender which makes her a matchup nightmare for opponents. She can create turnovers with her intense on ball pressure, and if the ball hits the ground she’s often first to track it down. Heilbron has the speed to push the ball up the field in transition. She’s been a vital piece the last three years in the success of Ward Melville on varsity, and this summer she showed why she’s a top recruit in the class whether at Juniors Open or across tournaments with Yellow Jackets Stadler.

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Charli Kaplan (Syosset/FLG Navy)

Hailing from Syosset Kaplan is an absolute speed demon on the field which is evident in both her pursuit of ground balls and when she clears the ball up field. She’s like a vacuum when it comes to securing balls off the ground with an extremely high motor, and when she gets possession it’s off to the races leading to good things on the offensive end. This summer she was a defensive standout at Juniors Open as a ground ball and clearing machine with FLG across the club circuit.

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Ava McDonald (Huntington/FLG Navy)

The Huntington Blue Devil McDonald is one that any college coach should want on their team. She’s an elite on-ball defender and is automatic in the clearing game. In addition to her skills she does all of the little things between the lines such as giving all out effort to back up shots, or save a ball from going out of bounds, things that don’t show up in the stat sheet but are often times the difference making plays that helps her team win games. McDonald exemplified this all summer long at recruiting showcases like Juniors Open as well as playing for FLG. Her impact will certainly be felt at the next level.

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Tessa Meehan (Sayville/Legacy)

Meehan from Sayville brings versatility to the table as one that excels in both man to man or zone defense. She’s a high IQ player that is fundamentally sound and is one that you can trust to effectively clear the ball up the field. This past spring Meehan was a starter as a sophomore for the Golden Flashes which was one of the top defensive units on the island and will make any defense better at the collegiate level.

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Dani Torre (St. Anthony’s/YJ Gaghan)

The Friar Torre excels as a 1 on 1 defender, where she’s an absolute clamp on ball. Aggressive, and relentless, she will wreak havoc on her opponent. She is a great communicator and also exudes plenty of confidence when carrying the ball up the field, and if given the opportunity watch out for her to potentially take it the distance. This summer Torre showcased what will make her a great asset to a college program at events like Juniors Open as well as on the club scene for Yellow Jackets Gaghan. Watch out for her to be a household name on the Friars defense this upcoming spring.