Sacred Heart Academy Welcomes New Varsity Coaches to Lead Soccer, Softball, Lacrosse and Basketball Programs
October 15, 2025

Sacred Heart Academy (SHA), an all-girls private high school dedicated to academic excellence and athletic distinction, is proud to announce the hiring of three outstanding additions to its varsity coaching staff for the 2025–26 school year: Reid Gorecki as Varsity Softball Coach, Caroline C. Nuttall as Varsity Soccer Coach, and Rachel Ray as Varsity Lacrosse Coach. These hires mark an exciting new chapter in SHA’s commitment to developing student-athletes who excel both on and off the field.


Reid Gorecki

Varsity Softball Coach

A Long Island native and graduate of Kellenberg Memorial High School, Coach Gorecki played college baseball at the University of Delaware before being drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2002. He went on to play for both the Atlanta Braves and the New York Yankees, and later competed in the Atlantic League with the Sugarland Skeeters, Long Island Ducks, and Camden Riversharks.


Following his professional career, Coach Gorecki founded Oil City Athletics, a premier multi-sport training facility, and developed a travel baseball program that has sent over 100 athletes to collegiate programs, including Bucknell, Rutgers, Stony Brook, St. John’s, and Delaware.


His coaching accolades include 2004 St. Louis Cardinals Organizational Player of the Year, 2022 Atlantic Collegiate League Coaching Award, 2023 IAOTP Top Entrepreneur and Baseball Coach, and 2025 IAOTP Top Baseball Coach and Top 50 Fearless Leaders


Coach Gorecki currently coaches at St. Agnes and the East Coast Sand Hogs in the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League.


Caroline C. Nuttall

Varsity Soccer Coach

Coach Nuttall brings a dynamic combination of professional playing experience, youth coaching, and academic achievement to the SHA sidelines. She played professionally with Long Island Rough Riders (NY), Barnsley Football Club (UK) and Brooklyn Football Club, gaining international exposure and refining her leadership, time management, and high-performance mindset.


Athletics run deep in the Nuttall family. Her father, Richard Nuttall, is the head coach of the Hofstra University Men’s Soccer Program and currently holds the distinction of being the winningest Division I coach over the past five seasons. Under his leadership, Hofstra has secured eight conference titles and built a nationally respected program, further underscoring the strong soccer pedigree that Coach Nuttall brings to SHA.


A former standout at both Hofstra University and Long Island University, Coach Nuttall competed as a Division I athlete and team captain, contributing to multiple CAA Championships and top national rankings.


Her coaching experience includes Assistant Varsity Soccer Coach at Sacred Heart Academy (2023–24), Head coach and supervisor at Royal Soccer Training, Technical Coach at Long Island Soccer Club, a member of MLS NEXT, and Private soccer trainer focused on youth development and technical growth.


Rachel Ray

Varsity Lacrosse Coach

Coach Ray brings over 16 years of coaching experience, having led Long Beach High School to multiple county championship appearances (2016, 2017, 2023, 2024). Known for cultivating a championship mindset, Coach Ray has helped develop 12 All Americans, numerous Academic All Americans, and guided 40 athletes to collegiate careers, including 29 at the Division I level.


She has also coached with top-tier club programs inlucding  Team 91 and Yellow Jackets, and directed the Future Stars Lacrosse Clinic from 2016–21.


As a player, Coach Ray’s resume is equally impressive. A standout at Rocky Point High School, she went on to dominate at Adelphi University, where she won two NCAA Division II National Championships (2006, 2009), was a three-time IWLCA/US Lacrosse All American, was named MVP of the NCAA DII Final Four (2009), holds Adelphi’s all-time points record, was a Tewaaraton Award Top 25 finalist, and played and coached internationally with the US Select Team in the Czech Republic and Australia.


Coach Ray’s blend of elite experience, strategic insight, and athlete-centered coaching will be a transformative addition to SHA’s lacrosse program.


Matthew Brust

Assistant Varsity Basketball Coach

Matt Brust is one of the most recognizable and accomplished basketball players to emerge from Long Island. His passion for basketball ignited at Babylon High School, where his talent earned him aggressive recruitment from some of the nation’s most prestigious basketball programs. He began his collegiate career playing under the legendary Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina before returning to New York to play at St. John’s University. There, Matt was coached and mentored by the iconic Lou Carnesecca and led the 1989 team to the NIT National Championship.

Following a decorated collegiate career, Matt briefly played for the Chicago Bulls under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Phil Jackson. His deep love for the game, competitive spirit, and tenacity on the court have seamlessly translated into his coaching style, marked by commitment, care, and an unmatched wealth of experience.


Prior to joining SHA, Coach Brust brought his expertise to programs at The Ursuline School in New Rochelle, Greenwich High School, and Oyster Bay High School, where he made a significant impact on developing student-athletes.


With Matt’s leadership and passion added to the SHA basketball program, Sacred Heart Academy is poised to elevate its competitive spirit and foster a new generation of student-athletes who thrive both on and off the court.


A Bright Future Ahead


“We are honored to welcome Coach Brust, Coach Gorecki, Coach Nuttall, and Coach Ray to the SHA community,” said SHA Athletic Director, Jennifer Strauss. “Their professional experience, commitment to student development, and proven success as both players and coaches align perfectly with SHA’s mission of empowering young women through academics, athletics, and leadership.”


President Kim Johnson adds,"the future is bright for Sacred Heart Academy, the only all girls Catholic High School on Long Island."  "Many of our athletes continue on to play college-level sports and lead their teams.  We are so proud of our growing athletics program under the leadership of Jennifer Strauss."


With these dynamic leaders at the helm, Sacred Heart Academy looks forward to building on its legacy of excellence and continuing to inspire the next generation of confident, successful student-athletes. 

SHA Young Women Serve and Learn in the Galápagos Over February Break

February 25, 2026
Over February break, our SHA young women embarked on a life-changing service trip to the breathtaking Galápagos Islands, embracing faith, service, culture, and adventure every step of the way. Their journey began in Ecuador, where they spent a day exploring and learning about the country’s rich history and culture. One unforgettable highlight was visiting the “Center of the World” at the Equator, standing at 0° latitude as confirmed by GPS coordinates. It was a powerful moment, quite literally standing in the middle of the world, marking the beginning of a meaningful global experience. From there, the group flew to the remarkable Galápagos Islands, known worldwide for their extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty. Faith remained at the heart of the trip. The young women celebrated a beautiful Mass at a local Catholic church, joining the community in prayer and reflecting on the purpose of their journey, to serve with open hearts. Service took many forms throughout the week. The students participated in a reforestation project, contributing hands-on work to help preserve the islands’ delicate ecosystem. Their efforts supported local sustainability initiatives and reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship, an especially meaningful lesson in a place so globally significant for conservation. The group also had the opportunity to visit a local school, Unidad Educativa Stella Maris, where they engaged in a meaningful service project. They painted classrooms and common areas, worked in the school garden, and built benches out of wooden pallets to create welcoming spaces for students. This hands-on experience allowed them to connect directly with the local community while putting their faith into action through service. The group also visited the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station, where they learned about ongoing conservation efforts and the unique species that inhabit the islands. Seeing the impact of scientific research and environmental protection up close deepened their understanding of the responsibility we all share in caring for our common home. Cultural immersion was another special part of the experience. The young women enjoyed a cooking class with a local family, learning traditional recipes and sharing stories across languages and cultures. They also visited a local ranch where dozens of land tortoises roamed freely, an unforgettable encounter with one of the Galápagos’ most iconic animals. Accompanying the group was Mr. Powers, Ms. Lavery, and Ms. Cali, whose guidance helped enrich the educational aspects of the trip. Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Powers shared, “This trip gave our students the opportunity to see the world through a wider lens. They did not just learn about geography and conservation in a classroom. They lived it, served others, and grew in ways that will stay with them for years to come.” From standing on the Equator to serving through reforestation and school outreach, from celebrating Mass to sharing meals with local families, this February break was far more than a trip. It was a journey of growth. Our SHA young women returned home with broadened perspectives, strengthened faith, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Alexander Chan Ph.D., Assistant Professor speaking about Artificial Intelligence

Future-Ready: Molloy University Professors Bring the World of Analytics to SHA

February 9, 2026
Dr. Alexander Chan and Prof. Gayle O'Keefe of Molloy University visit Sacred Heart Academy to demystify AI and Data Analytics for future innovators.

Inspiring Excellence in Every Student

Rooted in faith and tradition, we empower young women to lead with confidence, compassion, and integrity. Through rigorous academics, spiritual growth, and a supportive sisterhood, our students are inspired to excel in college and beyond while making a meaningful impact in the world.

SHA Young Women Serve and Learn in the Galápagos Over February Break

February 25, 2026
Over February break, our SHA young women embarked on a life-changing service trip to the breathtaking Galápagos Islands, embracing faith, service, culture, and adventure every step of the way. Their journey began in Ecuador, where they spent a day exploring and learning about the country’s rich history and culture. One unforgettable highlight was visiting the “Center of the World” at the Equator, standing at 0° latitude as confirmed by GPS coordinates. It was a powerful moment, quite literally standing in the middle of the world, marking the beginning of a meaningful global experience. From there, the group flew to the remarkable Galápagos Islands, known worldwide for their extraordinary biodiversity and natural beauty. Faith remained at the heart of the trip. The young women celebrated a beautiful Mass at a local Catholic church, joining the community in prayer and reflecting on the purpose of their journey, to serve with open hearts. Service took many forms throughout the week. The students participated in a reforestation project, contributing hands-on work to help preserve the islands’ delicate ecosystem. Their efforts supported local sustainability initiatives and reinforced the importance of environmental stewardship, an especially meaningful lesson in a place so globally significant for conservation. The group also had the opportunity to visit a local school, Unidad Educativa Stella Maris, where they engaged in a meaningful service project. They painted classrooms and common areas, worked in the school garden, and built benches out of wooden pallets to create welcoming spaces for students. This hands-on experience allowed them to connect directly with the local community while putting their faith into action through service. The group also visited the renowned Charles Darwin Research Station, where they learned about ongoing conservation efforts and the unique species that inhabit the islands. Seeing the impact of scientific research and environmental protection up close deepened their understanding of the responsibility we all share in caring for our common home. Cultural immersion was another special part of the experience. The young women enjoyed a cooking class with a local family, learning traditional recipes and sharing stories across languages and cultures. They also visited a local ranch where dozens of land tortoises roamed freely, an unforgettable encounter with one of the Galápagos’ most iconic animals. Accompanying the group was Mr. Powers, Ms. Lavery, and Ms. Cali, whose guidance helped enrich the educational aspects of the trip. Reflecting on the experience, Mr. Powers shared, “This trip gave our students the opportunity to see the world through a wider lens. They did not just learn about geography and conservation in a classroom. They lived it, served others, and grew in ways that will stay with them for years to come.” From standing on the Equator to serving through reforestation and school outreach, from celebrating Mass to sharing meals with local families, this February break was far more than a trip. It was a journey of growth. Our SHA young women returned home with broadened perspectives, strengthened faith, and memories that will last a lifetime.
Alexander Chan Ph.D., Assistant Professor speaking about Artificial Intelligence

Future-Ready: Molloy University Professors Bring the World of Analytics to SHA

February 9, 2026
Dr. Alexander Chan and Prof. Gayle O'Keefe of Molloy University visit Sacred Heart Academy to demystify AI and Data Analytics for future innovators.

Sacred Heart Academy Named to College Board’s AP School Honor Roll

January 14, 2026
Sacred Heart Academy has been recognized for outstanding student achievement and expanded access in the Advanced Placement (AP) program.