Commack girls soccer player Sofia D'Alessandro is Newsday's Athlete of the Week
Commack's Sofia D’Alessandro dribbles with the ball during a girls soccer game against Longwood on Oct. 23, 2026. Credit: Robert Williams
Sofia D’Alessandro was determined to make her way back to play for the Commack girls soccer team.
Before the state championship game last season, D’Alessandro tore her ACL. But instead of letting the injury discourage her, it motivated her to get back on the field.
“It was definitely hard because I wanted to be a part of our championship run,” D’Alessandro said. “Everyone on the team is amazing. It’s not just me. But the hardest part was having to sit there and know I couldn’t play.”
The recovery process took seven months, and she credits the support around her for getting her through a difficult time, but for D’Alessandro, the hardest part was the mental aspect.
“I wanted to play sports again,” she said. “I had so much help from my parents, my physical therapist, and my surgeon. They helped me emotionally and physically to get where I am now.”
The senior midfielder returned to the field at the start of the season. Although it took some time to adjust, she eventually found her footing and, when the playoffs rolled around, came up big for the Cougars.
Newsday’s Athlete of the Week scored the winning goal with three minutes left in double overtime and the tying goal with six minutes left in the second half in No. 3 Commack’s 2-1 win over No. 6 Longwood in the Suffolk Class AAA quarterfinals last Friday.
“I remember that moment jumping up and seeing that ball go into the net,” D’Alessandro said. “It made me realize that’s what I missed so much. Celebrating with my teammates, hearing the fans cheer, and playing in that crazy atmosphere.”
When the Cougars (13-3-1) were down 1-0, D’Alessandro thought about how she couldn’t let her team down and didn’t want her season to end that quickly.
“I knew someone needed to step up, and I realized that person was going to be me,” she said. “I needed to prove to my team, coaches, and fans that we weren’t going to lose that game.”
Commack has plenty of firepower from Breanna Mender, Carly Pulcini, and Sarah Franke. Coach Joseph Brandofino says D’Alessandro adds to their elite attack, and he has no doubt she will always show up in clutch moments.
“She’s the perfect balance,” Brandofino said. “Almost all our attacks go through her. She creates and finds her playmakers in space. She did an amazing job for us.”
D’Alessandro is a three-sport athlete who also plays basketball in the winter and flag football in the spring.
“I do believe in playing other sports and being multisport athletes,” she said. “It helps you appreciate your favorite sport more.”
In addition to her performances on the field, she maintains a 95 GPA, is part of the GlamourGals club, where they give makeovers to the elderly, and volunteers at a summer camp where student-athletes train and coach elementary and middle school kids.
“I teach third-fifth graders, and some of my students ask about her because they see her helping out in the community,” Brandofino said. “She’s a name people know around the community, and it’s a pleasure that I got to coach her.”
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
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