BPS leans on unity, returning core entering 2026 girls soccer season

Overview

• Ethan Kirisits enters his second year with the BPS girls varsity team after taking over when the district created the combined program last season.
• BPS joins the NFL this season, and Kirisits said the team's goal is to improve each game and make a strong push in AAA sectionals.
• The team returns 14 players and adds four new faces, with unity expected to be a strength.
• Zoe Kirisits is expected to organize the midfield, Nalyaniz Albino-Cardona returns in goal and Charlotte Leichtnam is a returning player to watch.

BPS enters year two of its combined program

BPS enters the 2026 girls soccer season in its second year under head coach Ethan Kirisits, who took over last season when the district created the combined BPS team.

"The team should be competitive this season," Kirisits said. "Joining the NFL will definitely be a challenge, but I think our girls are up for it!"

Kirisits said BPS returns 14 players from last season's team and has added four new faces. He is looking for the returning group to make a jump this fall, with unity expected to be the team's biggest strength.

"Many on the team have been playing together for several years," Kirisits said.

The identity Kirisits wants is pressing and quick counterattacking. The main developmental points are staying calm under pressure and trusting the team's quality, with the goal of improving each game and making a strong push in AAA sectionals.

Captains lead the spine

Zoe Kirisits, Mia Yacobucci and Nalyaniz Albino-Cardona are the team's captains.

Zoe Kirisits, a Class of 2028 midfielder, is the player Kirisits expects to organize the midfield and help control how BPS plays. She had two goals and four assists in 2025-26 after posting four goals and seven assists in 2024-25.

Yacobucci, a Class of 2027 forward/midfielder, had two goals and one assist in 2025-26. Her historical production also includes nine goals and seven assists in 2024-25 and nine goals and four assists in 2023-24.

Albino-Cardona, a Class of 2027 goalkeeper, is back as the team's keeper. Kirisits described her as "very athletic" and said she has "greatly improved her overall game since the start of last season." In 2025-26, she made 68 saves.

Players to watch

Charlotte Leichtnam, a Class of 2029 forward, is the returning player Kirisits pointed to as a breakout candidate. Leichtnam had two goals and one assist in 2025-26.

Payton Dunbar, a Class of 2029 defender, is a new or newly featured player Kirisits expects to become an important contributor.

Selia Mayhook, a Class of 2029 midfielder, is the set-piece player to watch. She had three goals in 2025-26 after recording four goals and five assists in 2024-25.

Piper Teach, a Class of 2029 midfielder, gives BPS leadership that Kirisits said might not always show in a box score.

Kirisits praised Teach for leading by example, staying calm and focused, and giving full effort.

Schedule landmarks

BPS opens the listed schedule Sept. 1 at Niagara Falls, then hosts Lockport on Sept. 3. The September home schedule also includes Sacred Heart Academy on Sept. 14, Niagara Falls on Sept. 16, Sweet Home on Sept. 18, Kenmore East on Sept. 28 and Akron on Sept. 30.

October brings a road match at CSAT, home dates with Williamsville North, North Tonawanda and Amherst, and a regular-season finale listed for Oct. 13 at Lewiston Porter.

Kirisits said the program is developing in the right direction.

"It takes time to build a multi-school team and we are on the right path," Kirisits said.