William Floyd Field Hockey Earns Second Straight Playoff Berth

William Floyd field hockey is making a habit of playing meaningful games in October. After ending a decades-long playoff drought last season, the Colonials are back in the Section XI postseason for a second consecutive year, continuing the program’s steady rise under head coach Maria Carucci.

William Floyd finished the 2026 season at 8-8 and earned the No. 9 seed in the Suffolk County playoffs. The Colonials will face a tough test in the opening round, traveling to take on No. 8 Bay Shore.

For a program that spent years on the outside looking in, consecutive playoff appearances represent a significant step forward. The Colonials have shown that last year’s breakthrough was no fluke, putting together another season strong enough to earn a place among Suffolk County’s postseason contenders.

What makes this year’s achievement especially encouraging is how the team has handled a changing lineup. Several players made the jump to varsity for the first time, while others took on larger roles than they had in the past. Rather than allowing those adjustments to slow them down, the Colonials found contributions throughout the roster.

The returning players who experienced last year’s playoff run also provided valuable leadership, helping their teammates navigate the challenges of a varsity schedule. That combination of experienced players and emerging talent has helped William Floyd maintain its momentum and give the program a foundation to build on moving forward.

Now, the Colonials have another opportunity to show how far they have come. A postseason matchup against Bay Shore presents a new challenge, but reaching the playoffs for a second straight season is already a sign of the progress being made within the program.

William Floyd’s 2026 varsity roster features Mia Ashton, Julia Catania, Gabriella Cucuzzo, Jessa Darbouze, Lilliana Flores, Kaylee Fox, AvaLynn Furman, Vanessa Garcia Garcia, McKenzi Giles, Madyson Green, Isabella Haynes, Marissa LoDestro, Mya Manzella, Makayla Merkel, Gianna Mertens, Riley Meyer, Sophia Perez, Kalina-Sky Permenter, Mariela Reyes Cabrera, Kiera Sears, Jinelle Solares, Julianna Weiss and Olivia Weiss.

Carucci leads the program alongside assistant coach Kim Apicella as the Colonials look to extend their season and continue building on the progress of the past two years.