Lacrosse Preview 04-11-2024

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BALDWIN

By MARC BERMAN

With 14 seniors returning, another playoff year for Baldwin’s boys’ lacrosse team looks very promising.

And coach Tim Clancy thought his senior class could be even bolder.

One top player transferred to a Florida prep school and another, Paul Clement, tore his ACL in the Nassau County wrestling finals.

But with team centerpiece, senior Brady Mahler, returning, the Bruins have a lot to look forward to. Baldwin posted a 9-7 mark –6-2 in the conference – to make the playoffs for the third straight year. The Bruins lost in last year’s first round to Massapequa.

“We’re hoping to follow up last year with a similar performance and be a playoff-bound team,’’ Clancy said. “We are playing a harder schedule this year but with a lot of returning players, we hope to remain competitive.’’

Mahler was by far the leading scorer with 65 goals with 17 assists as one of the top goal-getters in Nassau. “Brady is big powerful righthanded attackman,’’ Clancy said. “He can dodge last-hit

Senior Borago Arlin is the team’s star defenseman. He also will play spot duty as long-stick midfielder.

Baldwin lost star Tim Chiverton, a faceoff and defensive specialist, but one of the strengths is at goal with senior Othello Cook, who started all games last season and posted 104 saves. Cook hadn’t played soccer until his sophomore year and landed the standing job as a junior.

Another player to watch is Vaughdrea Johnson, an athletic midfielder who scored 13 goals and 7 assists last season as a junior. Johnson is quarterback for the football team.

Baldwin looms a dangerous opponent

Coming off an 11-3 record and 8-1 in conference play, Baldwin has its whole team returning. And that is better than you’d think.

Last season, Baldwin spent most of the season without eighthgrade star, Kaitlin Timmes, who broke her leg during soccer season and only returned towards the end. In her first game back, she erupted for 4 goals.

“No one is going to really know what we have up our sleeve,’’ coach Rebecca Posillico said.

Baldwin’s got a monster

Bruins seek playoff return

Big 3 with Timmes joined by senior midfielder Emma Ryan and sophomore attacker CJ Keryc. They are more well-known producers and posted almost identical statistics. Ryan scored 38 goals and 7 assists. Keryc recorded 39 goals and 7 assists.

Ryan is expected to play college lacrosse. “She has an amazing one-handed, draw,’’ said Posillico, who played for Molloy College. “She has eyes on the field and see what’s going to happen. She is like having an extra coach on the field.’’

working offseason.

Last season, Baldwin lost in the play-in game to East Meadow after winning Conference 3. Despite a conference realignment, the Bruins are likely postseason bound.

The big game for is against Kennedy, as Baldwin tries to erase a losing streak against its rivals despite close calls. This could be the year.

defenders to get to the cage and is a threat to shoot from the outside. He’s a great captain and leader.’’

As a seventh-grader Timmes was an All-Conference player so this freshman year could be a bonanza. “Kaitlin is back and better then ever,’’ the coach said. “She’s faster, stronger, and has a confidence about her that makes her unstoppable. We are very fortunate to have her back this season.’’

A three-year starter, senior Logan Kirchner is an attacker who helps run the offense. Kirchner logged 15 goals and 15 assists. His brother, Preston, a junior, has shown promise in the midfield and logged 10 points in 2023.

Baldwin has two AllConference defenders in senior Alexis Lakeran and Danielle Mardy. Posillico says the 5-foot Lackeran is “physical on the field.’’

“Everyone knows she’s out there,’’ Posillico said. “She’s tiny but tough as nails. When defenders get honors, it’s huge because they don’t get noticed.’’

her unstoppable. We are very fortu“Everyone knows she’s out win’s transition and is a strong dewhom the coach credits for “a one

Jasmin Tiong smith is another midfielder who is crucial for Baldwin’s transition and is a strong defender. Then there is Ava Jerome, whom the coach credits for “a remarkable game sense and is one of our top feeders.’’ Expectations are high for goalie Megan Englehart after a hard-

Photos by Paul Grassini

Brady Mahler

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CALHOUN

By ANDREW FANTUCCHIO

The heartbreak couldn’t have hurt more for Calhoun last season. With four seconds left in the Nassau County boys’ lacrosse championship game, the Colts had the tying goal wiped off the board as they ultimately lost to Garden City for the second year in a row.

With that in mind, it’d be easy to assume the Colts have a photo of a Trojan pinned to their bulletin boards as the 2024 season begins.

Instead, they first must be introspective and focus on how they can carry on following the departures of All-Americans Jake Lewis and Peter Thoman — two players that coach Jim Femminella labeled as “generational” — and build upon last year’s 15-4 campaign.

“Talent graduates, culture doesn’t,” Femminella said. “That’s what this year is about. Maintaining our Calhoun lacrosse culture and understanding the next man up mentality.”

uncertain. In front of starting senior goalie Mark Restivo, there’s familiarity with the returning senior Xander Megias. Otherwise, there will be a need for the likes of newcomers Brandon Sherman, a senior, and Lucas Porcaro, a junior, to step up.

But make no mistake, despite a lack of certainty, Calhoun has an ample amount of confidence.

“This group is playing with that chip on their shoulder,” Femminella said. “The players are putting on themselves that they want to prove a lot of people wrong. We haven’t dropped off.”

Calhoun eager for bounce-back year

A 4-8 record last year wasn’t as unexpected as it was disappointing for the Calhoun girls after making the jump into Conference 2.

But even though they failed to win a single conference matchup last season, the Colts still saw bright spots

that they’re hoping to amplify this time around.

Colts bring high expectations

said. “Even though we had our

“Our defense actually stepped up a lot,” coach Jamie Kemp said. “Even though we had our losses, we were really able to rely on our defense to come up with some big stops and clear the ball pretty consistently.”

With quick feet and even quicker instincts, senior Makayla Condela returns to the Colts as the foundational piece on defense. She’ll mostly be paired with junior Samantha Guida to form a steady and reliable tandem in front of junior goalie Lainey Guzowski.

This will be Guzowski’s second year as the starter for Calhoun. After being called up from JV last season, she was almost immediately thrust into the fire and eventually proved she could handle the heat.

is now prepared to break out as a freshman.

“She seems to be understanding the game and the pace of it a lot more just in her confidence and decision-making,” Kemp said. “I think she’s going to have a strong season this year.”

The two of them have a really the heat.

After putting up 32 goals a year ago, junior Harley Finkelstein is expected to take the reins of the Calhoun attack this season. Along with senior Shaun Walters, the duo will help the Colts run with the rest of the thoroughbred offenses Conference B has to offer.

“The two of them have really taken a lot of ownership of our offense,” Feminella said. “Shaun is a very downhill dodger from up top, and Harley is a little slicker behind the cage type of player. The two of them have a really nice chemistry.”

A potential breakout season from hard-nosed sophomore Nicholas Voll, as well as senior Jonathan Cardo and junior Braden Garvey, will aid Calhoun’s offense even further.

Defense is where the Colts are much more

“She took some time in the beginning to get used to it, but she really did start to gain her confidence, kind of like a next shot mentality,” Kemp said. “We were playing up against tougher competition, so goals were definitely going to get scored. But she definitely learned and became pretty reliable.”

What Calhoun will have to learn as whole this season is how to score goals of their own. The Colts offense was slow to adapt to the more advanced defensive tactics it faced last year, but is now much more experienced with a group of seven returning starters, highlighted by senior Alexandra Aievoli.

p.m. of top, and Harley is a little slicker

definitely going to get scored. But this more really do it all.”

“Alex is definitely going to be in the newspaper for us for this season,” Kemp said. “She can really do it all.”

Even as an eighth grader,

Even as an eighth grader, Tessa Gerrard showed the makings of another player capable of excelling in all phases for Calhoun and

Mark Restivo

Alex Aievoli

CAREY

Strength, speed propel Seahawks

By GARRETT D. URIBE

As boys’ lacrosse coach Tom Aiello marks his silver anniversary at Carey, his players, he said, have been hitting the iron.

“Getting bigger and stronger in the gym,” said Aiello, whose team (10-4 overall, 6-3 Nassau Conference CD) pumped up its wins last season after moving from Conference B – the quarterfinalist Seahawks winning eight straight before a regular-season finale loss at eventual state two-time champion Cold Spring Harbor.

“The weight room’s been big for us this offseason,” Aiello said. “The way we came together toward the end last year, we’re hoping a little more strength and speed gets us farther.”

Continued strength on defense seems a sure bet for Carey, which returns senior All-County defenseman Thomas Wakely, All-Conference defender Billy Koutsoumbaris (senior) and Honorable Mention All-County junior Rich Metzger, a third-year-starting goalie who surpassed 200 career saves last season notching 118.

“Richie’s really gotten good in the cage,” Aiello said. “Lots of energy, great reflexes. And a good talker. He kind of runs our defense.”

Second and third on the Seahawks last season with 46 and 41 points, respectively, juniors Christian Todaro and

Chris Obertis return as top scoring threats. An All-Conference middie, Todaro led Carey with 21 assists, while Obertis – who switches to attackman from midfield – had a team second-leading 29 goals.

threats. An All-Conference middie, Verderosa (15 goals, 12 assists)

Coming off an All-Conference nod as a sophomore, Michael Verderosa (15 goals, 12 assists) resumes two-way duties at midfield for Carey, as does fellow junior Christian Korzlowski (8, 10).

Carey’s starting attack along with

Perhaps an apt symbol of Carey’s bid to improve its build as the team returns to Conference CD, junior Michael Lucsczynski joins the Seahawks’ first-team defense after an offseason well-spent in workouts.

“Michael probably made the biggest strides,” Aiello said. “He’s gotten huge, and fast. Doesn’t even look like the same player. He’s going to help on defense.”

“We have a mountain to climb,” Aiello concluded. “Our conference has the state champion and other good teams. The kids did their work, though. We’re excited to get going.”

Chemistry one of the keys for Carey

Carey completed a sort of orientation last season, with thennew coach Paul Luzzi – a longtime assistant coach for football –learning the ropes of girls’ varsity lacrosse alongside a slew of first-year call-ups from 2022’s undefeated JV

Record-wise, last year was a holding action as Carey went 2-11 overall for a second straight season in Conference 4. But in terms of his team’s horizon, Luzzi said, the Seahawks laid groundwork last spring for a breakout the secondyear coach sees as imminent.

“We started jelling last season and it’s carried over,” said Luzzi, whose team resumes play in Conference 4. “That’s really what it is. There’s an excitement level and it’s infectious. With the girls we have coming back, their commitment level, and again good players from JV, we’re in a position where we could definitely win some games.”

Nos. 2 and 3 scorers from last last team.

The returns of third-yearstarting junior Leila Paz (23 goals), an All-Conference midfielder, and second-year senior attacker Alina LaRosa (17) give Carey back its Nos. 2 and 3 scorers from last season. The pair was last seen notching season highs with four goals apiece in Carey’s 18-14 finale win over Herricks.

Junior goalkeeper Kaitlyn DeJesus – whose 145 saves last season ranked second in Conference 4 – heads an otherwise all-senior defense for Carey, with veterans Gianna DiMatteo, Kiara Cini and Taylor Agostino returning.

Returning sophomore Kaitlyn McGrath – a rookie standout last season – looks to add to her resume at first-team midfield,

while Kaitlyn Zitarosa (junior) joins senior Ava Niedermyer. Zitarosa, Luzzi noted, has taken well to her recent move from high

to low attack – a development Luzzi said bodes well for a revamped Seahawks offense, designed to feature more “flow” than in recent seasons.

“We’re looking for attackers to really ride,” Luzzi said. “Play a lot of two-man game. We switched Kaitlyn and she’s been flourishing.”

Added Luzzi: “There’ll be a few changes. But the chemistry they built should be back.”

Photos by Neil Miller

Richie Metzger

Kaylin DeJesus

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CLARKE

Rams off 10-win campaign

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Aparticipation surge last spring not only bolstered Clarke’s varsity boys’ lacrosse roster but also allowed for the first JV squad since the 2019 campaign.

The Rams also enjoyed a breakthrough on the field, piling up 10 victories and challenging for a playoff berth a year after winning three games.

“Ten wins was a great number to hang our hats on,” coach Joe Hasbrouck said. “Our success was senior driven, but we are returning some good pieces. We’re pretty green on offense and we’ll look for the defense to carry us early as we find our way.”

two-way midfielder. He busted out last spring with 41 goals and 29 assists and can expect plenty of attention from opposing long pole defenders. “Lucas is shifty, gritty and our best weapon and groundball kid,” Hasbrouck said.

Senior Connor Morgan moves from a defensive midfield spot to bolster the offense. The attack is a work in progress and features senior Joey Kern, who netted 17 goals a year ago as a first-year player.

Clarke continues to make progress

Things appear on the rise for the Clarke girls, who after failing to crack the win column in 2022 did so three times last spring in addition to a handful of narrow defeats.

The Rams knocked off Jericho, New Hyde Park and Carey, scoring doble digits in goals in each victory. Former JV coach Samantha Kidd, now an assistant under Rick Aragona, believes the athleticism and chemistry on the roster can help overcome the loss of a large senior class.

and that only helps. Daniella Sison

“We’re very athletic and looking to play at a faster pace with lots of movement,” said Kidd, a native of Canada and former goaltender at LIU. “The girls are close friends off the field and that only helps. They’ve been working hard and I don’t see any reason why we won’t be competitive.”

Clarke has four seniors, six juniors and a handful of youngers eager to take another step up the ladder. Senior midfielder Daniella Sison is a captain and vital piece at both ends of the field. “She’s super versatile with defense instincts and has been working hard on dodging and going to cage,” Kidd said. “She has a strong shot and is also great on the draw circle.”

Senior midfielder

sophomore Rebekah McGrady, who starred at the JV level. “The girls are hungry for a playoff spot,” Kidd said.

The bulk of Clarke’s experience is in the defensive zone with senior Steven Patti and junior Rocco Carino, who are joined by sophomore Joe DiGesu — up from JV. Carino is a third-year starter with improved strength and footwork, Hasbrouck said, and is a key on groundballs and in the clearing game. Patti has some of the best stick skills on the roster and knows the nuances of the scheme. DiGesu brings size and a good feel for the game to the unit, the coach noted.

Replacing a four-year starting goaltender (2023 grad Joe Buffolino) won’t be easy but junior Elijah Richard is making progress. “Elijah just picked up a stick last spring and played goalie as a necessity and did well,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s coming along with his hands and footwork.”

Seniors Jason Mendieta and Aidan Piotrowski will contribute to the defense as long pole middies. They’ll play important roles in transition.

The other captain is senior Sophia Papacostas, the quarterback of a defense that includes speedy sophomore Ava Ruperto, who along with sophomore defensive middie Madison DeLeon will spark the transition game.

will spark the transi-

“He’s Rams’ go-to guy attack.

Jericho and Carey. Also in the mix are senior Alicia Velasquez, lino) won’t be easy but junior Elijah

Senior Lucas Barsuaskas is the Rams’ go-to guy and a steady

Lucas Barsuaskas

Sophomore middie/attack

Gianna Riccobonno will take the majority of draws and also serve as an offensive threat alongside sophomore Erin Frank, a quick and shifty

In goal, the Rams have three solid options. Junior Lauren Foley is the returning starter and made more than 70 saves last year, including 11 in the wins over Jericho and Carey. Also in the mix are senior Alicia Velasquez, who saw some varsity action, and

EAST MEADOW

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The East Meadow boys’ lacrosse team has a new coach for the second time in three years as former Floral Park bench boss Joe Cataldo inherits a team that struggled last season.

The Jets’ only 2023 win came at Uniondale on April 18 and were outscored 201-64 over 15 contests. There may be continued growing pains this spring with only five seniors on the roster, but Cataldo is hoping the underclassmen will show improvement while gaining valuable experience.

“I’m just coming in and recreating the culture,” Cataldo said. “Commitment, dedication to the team, and just building off that camaraderie and just building team morale moving forward, expectations, and re-flipping the expectations that had been there.”

Bryan Tauber scored 16 of his 27 goals in the month of May last year and is expected to be one of the top scorers on the Jets again. Fellow junior Jack Caracciola is the main facilitator on attack and should form a solid 1-2 tandem with Tauber.

Six-foot junior Ryan Michel brings a physical presence on defense and heads a group that also includes hard-working senior Joseph Arbitello, sophomore long-stick middie Ben Barbara and junior Vincent Ronzo.

“Ryan Michel is definitely our star on the defensive end,” Cataldo said. “He has strong skills, lifting guys, getting ground balls and pretty much the voice and enforcer on defense.”

Junior Jackson Reger earned the starting goaltender role.

Sophomore

“Between my two attackmen, they’re my tandem right now,” Cataldo said. “Caracciola being the facilitator, kind of assisting, while Tauber’s the guy that’s really diving to the cage and finishing in the back of the net. Both guys have a strong presence out on the field.”

Thomas Primrose has “shown some really good flair” on the field and can also see some time at midfield to give that position depth with senior Marcello Romano, freshman Noah Garner and sophomore Robert O’Brien.

East Meadow looks to take next step

“What we’re really trying

“Between my two attackmen, Bryan Torino

Jets refuel with new coach

The girls’ team has made the playoffs in both seasons under coach Nicolette Tortorici after going winless in 2021. Last year, the Jets put forth a late surge and won three of their last four games and beat Baldwin in a postseason play-in game before falling in the Nassau A quarterfinals to finish 5-9.

The Jets are younger this year, but Tortorici believes this season’s roster is capable of taking the next step.

to do this year is to win those games in our conference that we didn’t win last year that were some close

ones,” she said. “I think that we are super athletic, the girls are very coachable, so I think as long as keep our head in the game, have Halle Lara

we keep we have the tools that we can do it.”

Last year’s leading scorer, senior Halle Lara, returns after recording five hat tricks en route to a 27-goal, 33-point campaign.

“Halle will definitely be our leading goal scorer,” Tortorici said. “She’s finally way more confident. She’s very timid and quiet, but this year she can be a leader on and off the field.”

mos had 148 saves last season, including two games of at least 15 stops.

Brooke Vislocky (12 goals) and Skylar Egan and junior Jaelyn Zabala will likely provide depth scoring with sophomore Kayla Lederer, who is strong in transition. There is plenty of depth at midfield with senior Isabella Levin, faceoff specialist Jessica Stump and freshman Kate Barnett. The defensive corps is still a work in progress, but junior Alissa Valente will be the anchor of the group. Junior Ava Zucker displays good chemistry with Valente and could see consistent minutes in the back.

work in progress,

Valente and could see consistent

5:00 p.m. of man Kate Barnett.

“She’s kinda the head honcho back there,” Tortorici said of

“She’s kinda the head honcho back there,” Tortorici said of Valente. “She likes to play by the pipe. She’s a good low defender and takes the reins talking to the defense.”

Senior Dynastee Ra-

ELMONT

One step at a time for Spartans

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Numbers and notches in the win column are on the rise for Elmont boys’ lacrosse, which finished 6-10 last spring on the heels of a winless 2022 campaign.

“It was definitely a big improvement,” coach Connor Bennardo said. “We’re ahead of schedule and up to 50 kids in the program. More than half of them showed up for everything we’ve been working on since November. It’s great to see.”

The Spartans will attempt to maintain traction despite a difficult schedule. “We want to do as well as we can, but I’m more concerned with building a sustainable and competitive program,” Bennardo said.

Elmont is relying heavily on its defense and goaltending to give opponents headaches and keep games close come the fourth quarter. Senior fourth-year defender Sam Simon is a captain and the “pillar of the program” who’ll get the toughest one-onone assignments, the coach said. “Sam’s stick skills and lacrosse IQ are topnotch,” Bennardo said. Also returning with starting experience in the back are seniors Derek Espinoza and Brian Wilson. Like Simon, Espinoza brings a high skill set and makes smart decisions. Wilson serves as the physical presence in front of junior goaltender Julius Sylvain-Jenkins.

workhorse in the middle. “He’s a throwback player and a true twoway midfielder we ask to do a lot.”

Junior Anthony Oliveras is vastly improved, the coach said, and likely to be a key contributor after a backup role a year ago.

The starting attack is expected to consist of seniors Tayshaun Powell and Steve Lambert, as well as sophomore Guyps-Lee Chery. Powell is the unit’s biggest threat to frequent the scoresheet. “Tayshaun is our playmaker who can dodge and get to the cage, and he’s also a strong passer,” Bennardo said.

Elmont building off big 2023

Building off an outstanding 2023 campaign that produced 10 wins, a conference title and playoff appearance is the goal for Elmont girls’ lacrosse.

“I’m excited to see how we’ll stack up,” coach Kemola Webster said. “I know for sure we’ll compete. We have a special group of young ladies who work extremely hard and play with confidence.”

The Spartans saw last year’s leading scorer, Ana Novembre, graduate after netting 37 goals, but most of the starting lineup returns.

Senior attack Ivie Ihaza was their second-leading scorer (31 goals, 9 assists) and is being counted on to bring the same level of production, if not more. “Ivie is not only a great finisher but also a great feeder,” Webster said. “She’s quick and shoots hard with accuracy. If the defense focuses on her, we know she’ll locate an open teammate.”

(31 goals, 9 assists) and is ster said. “She’s

Ihaza will also take a few draws to spell senior Savannah Solomon, a dynamic two-way midfielder who’ll cover more real estate than anyone on the team, Webster noted. “Savannah has incredible stickwork and is a tremendous playmaker,” the coach said.

Saradjine Simeon

“The defense communicates so well and they all get themselves in the right spots,” Webster said.

Senior Kayla McKenzie will see time at attack and midfield. She’ll be among Elmont’s leaders in scooping grounders and keys the transition game.

In the defensive zone, Webster has all the confidence in the world the Spartans won’t make things easy for the competition. The backbone is junior goaltender Saradjine Simeon, who made 80 saves last spring.

easy for the competition. The backShe’s talented and a vocal leader.

starter in the cage. “He has super

“Julian improved bigtime last year and we’re looking for him to take another step up,” Bennardo said of the third-year starter in the cage. “He has super instincts and a great attitude.”

Senior Josiah Cajuste is the

“Sara is the glue of our team,” Webster said. “She’s everything you want in a goalie. She’s talented and a vocal leader. She trusts the defense in front of her and they trust Sara.”

p.m. set and makes smart

Tayshaun Powell

An all-senior starting defense is led by Karena Powell, a returning starter with strong stick skills and adept field vision.

Morrison, who step into larger

She’s joined by seniors Haley Small, a captain along with Ihaza, and Mariah Morrison, who step into larger roles after gaining varsity experience last spring.

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FREEPORT

Red Devils off breakout year

By ANDREW COEN

Longtime Freeport boys’ coach Harry Mohrman is looking to build off last year’s breakthrough season that left the Red Devils just one win shy of a playoff berth.

Freeport achieved a 9-7 record after going 1-11 during the 2022 campaign. The Red Devils however graduated key starters from the turnaround season and will be counting on many new faces to keep the momentum going this spring.

“We have to mold together since we have a lot of new guys up from JV and only have eight seniors,” said Mohrman, who is now in his 50th year leading the Freeport program. “The chemistry is good so far with the team.”

The offense is keyed by senior returners Landon Daly, James Martini, Thomas Mertens and Joshua Corbain. Martini and Corbain both registered two goals apiece in a 15-6 season-opening loss to Plainview-JFK.

man Anthony Pinto

himself better and he will work hard to achieve that.”

The close defense in front of Grover is led by sophomore Tobias Fitzsimons and Curtis Ealy, who are adjusting to expanded roles this season.

The schedule consists of Freeport’s traditional Conference I rivals Hempstead, East Meadow and Baldwin along with some smaller Nassau County schools. The regular season is scheduled to conclude on May 7 at Herricks.

“It’s early and they can only get better and we have high expectations of what they can do down the road,” Mohrman said.

Freeport continues its steady rise

The giant leap of the Freeport girls program under coach Anabel Lopez since taking over in 2018 is taking another big step this spring when the Red Devils compete in Conference III.

Freeport, which reached the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade in 2022, nearly achieved the postseason once

Sophomore attackman Anthony Pinto is also making strides early in the season, according to Mohrman, and tallied a goal in Freeport’s 5-1 win at Hempstead on March 26. Freshman midfielder Anthony Richardson is also showing promise early in his varsity career.

moving up to Conference IV despite graduating 12 seniors. The Red Devils will now look to conquer a new challenge once again competing in a higher league.

“This conference is going to be challenging, but we need to dig deep as we always do,” said Lopez, who played girls lacrosse at Freeport from 2004 to 2008. “We have pushed our limits as a program and it shows.”

“We have pushed our limits as a

While Freeport lost 11 seniors from last season’s 6-6 team, Lopez returns her leading scorer in senior midfielder Cassie Smith, who tallied 56 goals during the 2023 campaign. Smith, who plans to play on the college level, is also a force on the draw circle and nabbed 58 draw controls as a junior.

Baldwin, East Meadow, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, New Hyde Park, Plainview-JF, Hewlett, Bellmore JFK, Hicksville and Division.

“She is all over the field,” said Lopez of Smith, who registered 15 goals in Freeport’s first two games this season. “She is quick with stick skills and has it all.”

Richardson is also showing valuable experience in net as a

The defense is anchored for a second straight year by sophomore goalie Malik Groover, who gained valuable experience in net as a freshman. Groover recorded 10 saves in the Hempstead victory and nearly achieved a shutout.

“He has the potential to be a big time goalie,” said Mohrman of Grover. “He wants to make

again last season after Sophomore attacker Ava some

Sophomore attacker Ava Smith, the younger sister of Cassie, also complements the offense along with junior Leah Awalom, who plays low attack.

Lopez lost most of her starting defense, but she does return Julia Mendoza-Pineyro, who the head coach describes as a “ground ball machine” who is helping to mold a largely new unit together early in the season. Janiya Hancock also adds some experience in front of the goal after receiving some minutes last season.

Janiya Hancock is saves

Freeport’s new league do,”

Janiya Hancock is patrolling the cage as the new starting goalie and recorded seven saves in a 10-5 non-league win against Valley Stream North on March 25. Freeport’s new league features Floral Park,

Malik Groover

Cassie Smith

HEWLETT

Bulldogs dig for playoff success

By MARC BERMAN

It’s been a good start to the season for Hewlett boys’ lacrosse coach Dale Pescitelli, with the birth of a second son and two straight Conference C-D wins to start 2024.

Even though the Bulldogs lost 78.5 percent of their scoring from 2023, they’re attempting to qualify for the playoffs for a fourth straight season, buoyed by the stout defense of Zachary Tucker and clutch play from goalie Daniel Lankri.

Last season Hewlett lost in the first round of the playoffs, 4-3, to Bethpage.

“We always want to win every game but our realistic expectation is to make it to the playoffs again and get to the second round after losing by a goal every single year the past three years,’’ Pescitelli said.

The coach can’t say enough about his junior goalie, Lankri, who beat out a senior his freshman year and has been stopping shots ever since as starter.

Maiorano, a football linebacker, is off to the team’s best start.

“He’s a big physical guy who runs through stick checks and has a strong righty shot,’’ Pescitelli said. “He runs through anybody.’’

Jason Rick, sophomore Stefano Borsellino and freshman Myles King should also lift the offense and leadership will come on defense from captains Spencer Smith and Daniel Sheinin.

Hewlett ranked atop its conference

The Hewlett girls will benefit from a conference shakeup as some tougher programs moved up and traditional lesser teams moved into Conference 3.

Hewlett finished 5-4 in Conference 3 but now is the preseason No. 1 seed. “It looks very promising for us,’’ coach Jackie Hughes said. “With the conference realignment, we’ll play some new teams.’’

Hewlett won a play-in game last season over Bellmore JFK before losing in the first round to South Side.

The offense is spearheaded by

“He only took up goalie as an 8th grader,’’ Pescitelli said. “It’s been a blessing. He’s been the backbone of the defense and will continue to be until he graduates.’’

Ruta, a 20plus goalscorer who has improved her versatility. “She was primary an attacker, just went to the cage,’’ Hughes said. “In the offseason she played in a winter league and expanded to being a feeder too. That adds a great dynamic to our offense.’’

attacker, just went to midfielder the

Junior midfielder Krista Lee is the other player who competes year-round. “So her lacrosse IQ is developing and growing,’’ Hughes said. “In the offseason she worked on increasing her speed and we’ve seen a great difference.’’

In addition, senior identical twins Marcie and Catie Iannico are a formidable tandem up front. “They’re superior athletes,’’ Hughes said. “They look for each other and they are the only two players who can keep up with each other because they’re that fast.’’

Claudia Lee, junior attacker Maeve Williams, and junior defender Sienna LaPaglia.

The twins will play college soccer at Johnson & Wales and perhaps will also dabble in lacrosse, Hughes said.

But Hewlett still has senior attacker Brianna lacrosse. said.

Hewlett suffered big losses on defense with five-year starter, Ava Giugliano, graduating and playing at Iona. Also departing were defensemen Emily Goldenberg and Dalilah Doncell.

“You can put him anywhere and who plays at Quinnipiac, and Max Mariasch (RIT).

Lankri is blessed to have Tucker, a captain, in front of him. “He can play on the ball or in the zone,’’ Pescitelli said of Tucker. “You can put him anywhere and nobody’s getting around him. He’s good positioning - not a takeaway guy but you don’t get around him.’’

Hewlett lost ten seniors, including Ryan Goodman, who plays at Quinnipiac, and Max Mariasch (RIT).

Ryan Rovner. Plus, junior CJ

But Hewlett still has Luke Rochler, who scored 17 goals and 15 assists as a midfielder, and attacker

Senior defender Tella Tutino is key to filling the hole as she’s grown so much since freshman year after never playing lacrosse. “She’s always asking questions,’’ Hughes said. “We really need someone in control of the defense like her.’’

The new goalie is freshman Dani Kotlyar, better known for playing varsity soccer. “She’s used to competing and we’ve already seen improvement in the first three weeks,’’ Hughes said. Other contributors will be sophomore attacker

Dani Kotlyar, better known for Daniel

Photos by Eric Dunetz

KENNEDY

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The Kennedy athletic department didn’t look beyond the Bellmore border to fill its boys’ lacrosse coaching vacancy.

Former Mepham coach Gerard Cunningham was hired to take over for Craig Papach, who collected 211 wins over two stints with the team. Cunningham guided the Pirates to the playoffs in his only year there and takes over a team that has qualified for the postseason the last three years.

“I’m lucky to have him as a mentor,” Cunningham said of Papach. “He left the program in good hands and it was a seamless transition going from Mepham to Kennedy.”

Defense will be Kennedy’s calling card this spring after graduating two forwards who combined for 90 goals in 2023. Three seniors anchor the corps, including Finn Loftin, who is often responsible for the opposition’s top forward, Chase Philips and Ethan Arbesfeld.

the new starting goalie, junior Jack Lagalia.

Senior Raymond Torchia and junior Zach Greenseid both scored in the teens last year and will be looked upon to fill the void on offense.

“They’re going to have big shoes to fill,” Cunningham said of the pair. “They’re both athletic kids, both can put the ball in the net. Besides those two guys, guys have to step up.”

Senior Dylan Cutler could also provide some scoring depth and Cunningham is hoping that freshman T.J. Siegler can spark the offense with his strong faceoff skills.

Seaford and Bethpage are among the stiffest challenges on the Cougars’ schedule.

Kennedy fresh off conference title

The girls’ team proved that the 2022 season was just an aberration by winning their second conference title in three years

Cougars to lean on defense

while going 8-1 in divisional play en route to an 11-5 overall record. Most of the roster remains intact, which could make for an exciting season in Bellmore.

“We’re going to rely on the defense,” Cunningham said. “The offense is coming along and I see them being able to put eight, nine, 10 goals on the scoreboard eventually. But in order to get there, we have to practice hard and stick to the game plan and play harder than the other team.”

“Reliable” Alex Leiderman is the top defensive middie and will also help at the back end to assist

“We’re going to rely on the offense is coming along and I see being also help at the back end to assist net too.” the and current coach Mallory Freely

In fact, former Cougar player and current coach Mallory Freely referred to her lineup as the “most skilled 11 we’ve ever had.”

“It’s looking pretty much the same,” she said. “We’re returning everybody on the field, except two new girls. Everybody’s looking pretty good. This is probably going to be our strongest year for a while now.”

The last two seasons also showed how valuable star forward Ella Galjanich has been to the team. She had 22 goals around the midway point of the ‘22 season before an ACL injury and the Cougars dropped six of their last seven games to finish at 7-9. She came back with a vengeance by collecting 51 goals and 83 points last spring, including the 100th of her varsity career in the regularseason finale.

Senior goaltender Adrianna Califano had 135 saves last year, including 16 in a shutout win over Baldwin, which shared the conference title with the Cougars last spring.

“She’s definitely a selfless player,” Freely said. “She could probably take 10 more goals a game and she doesn’t. She’s got a couple of other players who she’s looking to put in the back of the

p.m. player,” Freely said. “She could tallies, including a five-goal outbursts. Donoghue. Sophomore Jordi Wohlleben is a older

Junior midfielder Lauren Robinson’s goal total skyrocketed from 14 in 2022 to 38 and senior Kaylee Ayers had 23 tallies, including a five-goal game and two four-goal outbursts. Senior Sophia Fischetti had 17 goals and there is plenty of excitement surrounding eighth grader Nicole Donoghue. Sophomore midfielder Jordi Wohlleben is a dependable two-way player and older sister Alexa will combine with returning sophomores Sam Frank and Dakota Hoehn to form a solid defensive corps.

Ray Torchia

Adrianna Califano

LONG BEACH

Marines determined to make run

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH

After losing to Garden City in semifinals last season, the Long Beach boys’ lacrosse team has some unfinished business to take care of this time around.

“We played really well,” said coach Jason Pearl. “Hoping to build upon it this year carrying over from last year to make another run in the playoffs again.”

The catch here is that Long Beach had some defenders graduate and move on, meaning it’s time for the proverbial next generation to step in. Seniors like Luke Hartman, Tom Cieleski, Timmy Monzon and Connor Richards are expected to carry Long Beach’s defense, with another senior, Nico Kanganis getting more time on the field by moving over to short-stick defensive-midfielder, according to Pearl.

Cornerstones of the defense are looking good too, because Long Beach is retaining the same strong goalie it had last year in sophomore Aiden Derupo, with

On the offensive side, Pearl said that there’s a lot to look forward to because multiple threats have been added to the roster, with some of the most promising names of that being freshman returner Cian Donaghy. Coming up and learning the ways of the program is freshman Brody Riedel, who coach prides in having a good shot and a fast quick step, and he anticipates on Riedel making an impact sooner rather than later on the program.

Overall, the team is moving right how coach wants it to.

“They’re playing full speed. A lot of the guys don’t understand how fast the game is at the varsity level and I’m really impressed with the young guys and how they’re stepping up and playing at the varsity speed,” Pearl explained.

“I’m not, so worried about like the Xs and Os [yet], it’s more ‘Are we playing in varsity speed? Are we playing at a high level? Are we moving the ball the correct way? Are we making the right reads? Are we doing the little things correctly to be competitive? If we do all that stuff right, the winning

the Long Beach girl’s lacrosse team is itching to get back to work, said coach Rachel Ray.

forecast on what the team is going to look like – scoring from multiple figures on the offense, not just spearheaded by one person. Describing two of her returners as Batman and Robin, she believe will be senior Ava Main an all-American midfielder paired with junior Delaney Cheroff will be a nightmare for the teams they face.

the just person. Describing two of her returners as Batman and Robin, returning, All-County dark

For defense, Ray has some star-studded players returning, starting with All-County senior Taryn Morris, along with seniors Kaitlin Buonocore and Molly Duffy, and junior Franky DeCicco.

The dark horses of the team, Ray anticipates, are freshman Anala Teemer, who was moved from defense to midfield this year, and senior Ella Timperio as one of the craftiest and more creative attackers on the squad.

Ranked eighth in pre-season polls, there’s no concern about the team going into the season because they’re still on the upswing according to Ray.

“We like being the underdogs,” Ray explained. “Our midseason form is always our best.”

With this squad, Ray is confident it can go far: “It’s about chipping away one team at a time, and keeping [the players] hungry and motivated.

With all this in mind, it’s has been knocking on

We’ve always been a team that thrives off of that, and now having a target on our back, I’m excited to see what this

What’s especially unique to remember about the Marines is season with a vengeance; they lost second year in a row, both years by said.

With all this in mind, it’s important to remember one thing: “Our main goal, always has been and always will be, nothing short of a county championship,” Ray

Tommy Cieleski

LYNBROOK

By ANDREW FANTUCCHIO

Last spring was a roller-coaster ride for Lynbrook, which finished 9-9 and reached the second round of the Nassau Class C boys’ lacrosse playoffs under then first-year coach Bill Luzzi.

“We were up and down all season but peaked at the right time,” Luzzi said. “It took them some time to get comfortable, to get confident and to learn the system. The plan is to build off what we accomplished. We had a lot of kids get their varsity feet wet and now have larger roles.”

The Owls graduated their entire starting defense and half of a 1-2 punch in goal. Senior goalie Caiden Lung was limited by a broken thumb in 2023 but has the reigns to himself and is one of five captains.

“He’s ready for anything that’s thrown at him,” Luzzi said. “He has a work ethic that’s second to none and he’s absolutely ready for the fulltime task.”

Dantona (9 goals), Jack LaBarbera and Nate Greenfeld are ready to make more of an impact as well.

The attack is full of potential but is sure to miss the presence of senior Anthony Capitali, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in March. Senior Derek Sandorfi scored six times a year ago and is a playmaker from behind the cage who can do damage from either side of the stick. Junior Bennet Votano (15 goals) is a quality finisher with quickness.

New era begins in Lynbrook

It’ll be interesting to see how Lynbrook’s girls’ team navigates 2024 following the departure of 20-year coach Vin Tetro as well as 80 percent of its offense from a 14-3 squad.

Joe LaBarbera, an assistant on Luzzi’s staff last spring, takes over the helm and wants nothing more than to keep the winning culture going.

“A lot of girls are going to be

Owls set for increased roles

Greenfeld, Peter Marinos

a jack-of-all-trades middie and of

is offensively and it might take some time for the young defense to jell.”

The leader of the defense is the last line— senior goaltender Mary Costello. “She did an awesome job of being a leader all offseason and she communicates really well with the defense,” LaBarbera said. “She helps get everyone into the right spots.”

Yaker, a strong finisher with shooting accuracy, and junior Luci Miata, who helped lead last year’s JV offense.

The chemistry is evolving on defense, the coach noted, with seniors Jack Greenfeld, Peter Marinos and John DiFiore likely to comprise the starting trio. Junior Chris Paladino serves as the long stick middie and brings speed and some starting experience as a key defensive supporter.

Senior All-Conference midfielder Michael Hendrickson netted 19 goals a year ago and is a “tremendous athlete with a very hard shot,” Luzzi said. “He’s an old-school midfielder who’s fast, strong and tough.”

in new roles,” he said. “We’re young in some areas but there’s a lot of talent. We have to figure out what our identity defense

The midfield is led by a pair

Senior Patrick O’Doherty is a jack-of-all-trades middie and primed to take his offensive game to another level. Juniors Luke

Senior Jessie Bodian is the lone returning starter in the back and is a threat to do damage in transition. “She has a high lacrosse IQ and will be among our leaders in groundballs,” said LaBarbera, who is counting on sophomore Payton Stalter to make an impact as a first-year starter. The midfield is led by a pair of Honorable Mention All-County juniors. Brooke Mazzei scored 41 goals and assisted on 10 others and serves as the catalyst for the entire offense, the coach said. Gabriella Meszaros covers as much ground as anyone and is a highly skilled on-ball defender who’s ready to take her offense up a notch. Senior Caroline Larow is a captain and vocal leader who gets the job done at both ends of the field, while sophomore Sophie Deifel handles the majority of draws and is an emerging scoring threat. Up front, junior Olivia Palleschi brings playmaking skills from behind the net and is an excellent dodger. She’ll look to find junior Penelope

ground as anyone and is a highly

ready to take her offense up leader emerging scoring threat.

p.m.

Michael Hendrickson

Gabriella Meszaros

TIM CLANCY - Baldwin

JIM FEMMINELLA - Calhoun

TOM AIELLO - Carey JOE HASBROUCK - Clarke JOE CATALDO - East Meadow CONNOR BENNARDO - Elmont HARRY MOHRMAN - Freeport DALE PESCITELLI - Hewlett GERARD CUNNINGHAM - Kennedy JASON PEARL - Long Beach

MIKE SANTISTEBAN - Oceanside BRIAN HORNER - Seaford CONNOR HORL - Sewanhaka STEVE DIPIETRO - South Side

MATT ANTONIOU - Valley Stream JAMES POLO - Wantagh AUSTIN WOLFSON - West Hempstead

RYAN WALSH - Mepham

BILL LUZZI - Lynbrook JOHN NESSLER - MacArthur ANDREW BISCARDI - Malverne/E. Rockaway

REBECCA POSILLICO - Baldwin

JAMIE ACKERMAN - Calhoun

PAUL LUZZI - Carey RICK ARAGONA - Clarke NICOLETTE TORTORICI - East Meadow KEMOLA WEBSTER - Elmont

ANABEL LOPEZ - Freeport JACKIE HUGHES - Hewlett

MALLORY FREELY - Kennedy RACHEL RAY - Long Beach

RALPH MONTERA JR. - Oceanside KRISTA ANCONA - Seaford DEIRDRE MCINTYRE - Sewanhaka ROB DEVLIN- South Side

LAUREN RUPPERT - Wantagh SUZANNE KENNEY - West Hempstead

JESSICA RICOTTA - Valley Stream

JOE LABARBARA - Lynbrook DAN AGOVINO - MacArthur KRISTEN MOGAVERO - Mepham CASEY CAPECE - Malverne/E. Rockaway

Photo

By MARC BERMAN

TARTHUR

MacARTHUR

he MacArthur boys’ lacrosse team is filled with seniors but many of them need to step up on the offensive end to make up for heavy graduation losses. Otherwise, the Generals’ playoff streak might be in jeopardy.

Gone are Michael Cassano and Joseph Forchelli, who combined for five All-County honors. Also, Rocco Hogan graduated. They all play college lacrosse with Cassano at Marist, Forchelli at Providence and Hogan at Molloy.

MacArthur still has nine seniors from last season’s 8-9 team that lost in the first round to Calhoun.

“We are looking for senior leadership,’’ coach John Nessler said. “We have experience but a lot of young guys stepping into bigger roles.’’

Nessler does not have to worry about his premier scorer, Ryan Fitzgerald, a senior midfielder who was a top-3 goal scorer on the squad (17 goals and 11 assists for 28 points.)

for for

“He’s shifty two-way middle for us,’’ Nessler said. “Very strong on the offensive end and steady in the defensive end. He does it all for us. Our SwissArmy knife.’’

The continued development of sophomore midfielder Timmy Patrey is key. The long-stick middie played a lot as a freshman.

Maybe the most valuable piece is senior defenseman Luke Marino. “He’s very athletic and covers the team’s best player,’’ Nessler said. “He can shoot the ground ball and run the field.’’

In goal, there’s a tight battle between junior Scott Nelson and sophomore Caden Cullen for starter.

Nessler has led the Generals to the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons.

“I feel this team can make the playoffs,’’ Nessler said. “It’s a rebuilding year but we have the pieces we can deal with.’’

MacArthur ready for new challenge

The Generals, led by coach Dan Agovino, are moving up to Conference 2 but feel good about it because of its stash of prominent sophomores.

MacArthur returns its top three scorers. Sophomores Eve

Senior midfielder

Generals have playoffs in mind

Larkin, a two-way midfielder, and goalie Abby Clarkson, are an improving commodity.

Then there’s rugged sophomore defender Rylee Fanning and sophomore goal-scoring threat, Kayleigh Huggard.

By 2026, the Generals may be unstoppable. We have a very young team with two seniors,’’ said Agovino, who also coaches North Shore football. “The bulk of the team are sophomores.’’

Larkin notched 32 points, including 22 goals during an All-Conference campaign and also takes faceoffs. “As a freshman she handled pressure better than most seniors,’ Agovino said.

As a freshman, Clarkson made 142 saves and the coach likes how she quickly clears the ball up the field to spark the transition game. Clarkson’s twin sister plays defense, Olivia, and they have “a good dynamic,” Agovino said.

Locust Valley and Bethpage in nonleague action in anticipation of the conference jump.

“It’s a tougher schedule.’’ he said. “We have some experience and are looking forward to the challenge.’’

Also In front of Clarkson is Fanning, an All-Conference shutdown defender. “She plays the game with a strong intensity,’ Agovino said. “She goes a great job defensively and she pushes it up for the offense.’’

Matthew Calvo has been a threeyear starter and being looked at for an expanded role. “He’s been a defensive midfielder for us for a few years,’’ Nessler said. “We’re asking him to play offense this year.’’

has been a threebeing looked at for an Two other players

Two other players needed for offense is senior midfielder Connor Larkin and senior attacker Alex Varga.

Huggard notched 21 goals and 8 assists as a freshman attacker, good at finding open space for her big shot. Another sophomore, Kacey D’Nyprowski, showed promise too by finding the back of the net six times and assisting on 15 other goals.

The senior of note is Ani Angelakis, an All-County Honorable Mention now a captain. “I call her the sparkplug of the team,’’ Agovino said. “A two-way midfielder who is quarterback of our zone defense and asset to our younger players.’’

promise too by finding the back of Agovino said. “A two-way midwho of our zone defense and asset powers Farmingdale,

Last season, MacArthur finished 9-8, including a 6-3 mark in Conference 3. Agovino scheduled powers Farmingdale,

Ryan Fitzgerald

Ani Angelakis

MALVERNE/EAST ROCK

Rockin’ Mules focus on defense

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The Malverne-East Rockaway boys’ lacrosse team may score a lot of goals this season, but will it be able to keep the ball out of its own net?

That could be the determining factor for the Rockin’ Mules if they want to improve on their 4-11 season last spring. Coach Andrew Biscardi said the team was “back to rebuilding a bit” before last year, and forming that new foundation is continuing with a new and green defensive corps.

“The playoffs, to be honest, probably isn’t going to be our focus this year,” he said. “The focus this year is making sure we learn something every single day, we build the IQ we need on the field, and every game to get better.”

Junior long stick middie Emmanuel Adeyemi is one of the few returnees on the back end and has taken on the task of helping the newcomers such as junior Anthony Grimaldi, sophomore Jethro Jacquet and senior George Carpio learn the nuances of the position.

Fuentes, who Biscardi switched from defensive to offensive middie, are other candidates for scoring depth. Sophomore midfielder Jayden Jungra will come off the bench as an offensive midfielder.

Senior Matt Larin made 190 saves last year and may get the bulk of the work in goal with capable junior Brian Christodoulou also vying for time.

Malverne/East Rockaway has question marks

This girls’ season was supposed to be an extension of their successful 2023 campaign, but some unfortunate circumstances during the offseason now leaves them with more questions than answers.

The Rockin’ Mules ripped off 10 straight wins to start last year and even though consecutive losses to end the season shockingly left them out of the playoffs, the team was looking at some even brighter days entering the spring. But on top of their gradu-

“He’s learning the IQ from Liam [former teammate O’Brien] and myself and now being that person that understands when to slide, when he’s going to help down, how to stay in the passing lane. He’s definitely improved his game”

ation losses, their 50goal scoring freshman transferred to another school and a top defenseman chose to play another sport, leaving the cupboard a little bare.

grader, Morant plays regularly with her club teams and receives yearround training to hone her skills.

“I just want to see the girls from last year take these young girls under their wing and really try to bring the positive vibes and the hard-working [attitude],” coach Casey Capece said. “I want our team to just connect and rebuild that chemistry.”

Malverne-East Rock still has uber-talented senior Emma Poland leading the way after she potted a team-high 36 goals last year, including six games of at least four. Capece is hoping that the winning attitude that she brings playing other sports can translate to her younger teammates.

“The one thing I love about Emma, I can count on her basketball knowledge, her high-low game to do pretty much do the same thing on the lacrosse field,” Capece said.

and myself and now being that how to stay in the inlast season, senior Cameron Lewis (13-6-19). Taylor is also strong on faceoffs and Adeyemi can also lacrosse displayed good chemistry

The offense will feature a three-pronged attack of sophomore Matthew Delligatti, who increased his goal total by 10 to 18 last season, senior Cameron Lewis (24-7-31) and senior Jaden Taylor (13-6-19). Taylor is also strong on faceoffs and Adeyemi can also put up impressive numbers in that department.

Juniors Hudson Arnold and Christian Page and senior Javier

Capece is hoping for bigger years from senior Nicole Buzzetta (7-4-11) and sophomore Makayla Boubert (7-2-9). Freshman midfielder Colleen Lynch has already displayed good chemistry with cousin Poland in transition and consistently makes smart plays with her passing.

Junior Sofia Crocce was a late season callup from the JV team last season and is effective in defending the crease on the back end.

Capece is excited about new goaltender Eliana Morant. Despite being an eighth

Sarah Boubert

Cameron Lewis

MEPHAM

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH

After an 8-10 season in 2023 and a new coach for the new season, anything is game for the Mepham boys’ lacrosse program.

Senior Mitch Savalli, a long-stick defender and returning captain, along with junior Owen Heller, an All-County Honorable Mention returning and junior Alessandro Walaitis, an All-Conference selection, all combine for a strong core for Mepham.

For the defense, Savalli calls the plays with sophomore Jack Weber alongside him, and first-year coach Ryan Walsh thinks Weber has a promising lacrosse future the way he plays.

“He’s been up since eighth or ninth grade and he’s just another guy that’s going to do really good things the next couple of years,” Walsh said. “The next three years for us, he’s going to be a staple on defense for us.”

contagious according to coach.

“We’re all just excited to get back on the field; it’s a new group and we’ve been coming together pretty quick,” Walsh said.

“It’s going to be tough getting all the head-coach kinks out, but I got a lot of people around me that are great,” Walsh said about his freshman season at the helm. “Feeling good. I’ve known [the kids] for a couple months now and it feels like we’ve been together for a while already.”

Mepham brings double trouble

There’s a couple of unique features with the Mepham girls’ program this year, and it starts by looking at the roster: there’s a whopping three sister pairs on the team.

Starting defenders include twin juniors Maggie and Gabrielle Fitzgerald, there’s a defender and midfielder pair in sophomore Ellie and senior Olivia Meyer, and starting junior attacker Hailey Honerkamp is going to have her eighth-grade sister, Alexis, with her

Pirates set sail with playoff hopes

on the team this spring.

Putting it mildly, there’s a lot of off-the-field chemistry within this team already.

“A lot of these girls have been playing together since elementary school so we have a lot of connections,” said coach Kristen Mogavero.

One that stands out to Mogavero is the link between junior midfielder Grace Skulavik and junior attacker Sierra Barbosa.

“They always tend to find each other on the offensive end,” Mogavero explained, as part of that starting midfield line that works so well to transition into offense.

There’s more to the midfield than that, and that it’s an indicator of the finesse of the squad.

is given; we say it all the time in sports but especially when you’re playing at a higher level of competition,” Mogavero said. “I think they now grasp that every single moment really does matter.”

played well when called upon last

In goal, there’s a competition for who’ll get the starting nod between senior Dylan Honerkamp and junior Nicholas Lemus, as both year. “[Last year] Nick Lemus was and then Dylan stepped in and he just took off the rest of

year and he was a good leader for the defense,”

“Jenna Dempsey, Leah Smith and Grace Skulavik, they’ve been our starting midi line pretty much for two or three years,” Mogavero said. “They pretty much know the looks the others are looking for, they’re able to now set each other up for their preferences offensively which I think is important. It’s a move of a higher level team so it’s nice to see as a coach.” What else is unique about this team is that they made the recent transition from C class to B class last season, a difficult leap to

last year is that everything the starter but he got banged up

DiSalvo at the face-off X, with a 53% win percentage last spring. “He’s just a hardworking, bullnose kid that’s going to do anything to get the ball to our team,” Walsh said.

Now, it’s just a matter of lacing up the cleats, and the energy is

“I think one of the biggest things we learned last year is that everything is earned, nothing

Photos by Ron Manfredi

Mitch Savalli

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By JUSTIN JOSEPH

Oceanside boys’ lacrosse is looking to improve upon its 9-8 record last season under the direction of its new coach.

Mike Santisteban worked with the program as an assistant for 11 years before taking over this season as the man in charge. He is already going about establishing an identity and reshaping the program to fit an attitude and persona he feels would take the team to the next level.

This year’s Sailors are referring to themselves as the “Brick Squad” and believes this will strengthen the team’s bond throughout the season.

“Every kid is a brick towards building our foundation,” Santisteban says. “From our alumni all the way down. Everyone is an integral brick in our foundation.”

According to preseason rankings, Oceanside is the fifth seed in Nassau Class A. It will be led this spring by senior attack Michael Madden, who led all returning players in goals. Senior Dylan Bender, an All-Conference selection in 2023, as well as sophomore Chase Bier are tasked with setting

he cut his teeth with at the start of his coaching tenure, Santisteban wants to take his team to Hofstra to play in the county semifinals for the first time since his first year as an assistant. In over 10 years the Sailors have not advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs, something they’re planning on changing come May.

“We have not been there in a really long time and for me, that’s the No. 1 goal,” Santisteban said of reaching the Final Four.

Oceanside’s schedule features a tough stretch from April 6-19 that calls for five road games (Herricks, Farmingdale, Uniondale, Long Beach and Freeport) and just one at home.

Experience a key for Sailors

Oceanside’s girls plan to lean on their experience more than ever.

Coach Ralph Montera Jr., who will be entering his eighth year at the helm, believes it will be one of his team’s biggest advantages this spring.

“We have 19 returning players, so it’s not a new team for us,” Montera Jr. said.

OCEANSIDE Sailors establish lofty goals

the tone on defense and disrupting opposing offenses. Bender will typically get the toughest one-onone assignment.

Midfielders Brian Kraemer, a senior, and Andrew

Dato, a junior, are primed to have breakout seasons according to Santisteban, and Oceanside is implementing a split goalie system with juniors Declan Costello and Sam Feldbaum. Rejoining the program that

A lot of the standout talent on this year’s roster were All-County level performers as juniors when the Sailors went 8-7 and lost in the first round of the Nassau Class A playoffs to Port Washington.

Senior captain Maeve Barrins, an All-County midfielder, had 25 goals and 19 assists last season which leads all returning players in points. Senior Natalie Paul, another captain and midfielder, was Honorable Mention All-County thanks in large part to netting 30 goals.

“They’re as important to us offensively as they are defensively,” Montera Jr. said of Barrins and Paul, who are joined once again by junior Leigha Zaman. An All-Conference selection, Zaman chipped in 22 goals.

A captain and four-year starter on defense, senior Emma Pagano led the way in takeaways with 28 and caused problems for opposing offenses en route to AllConference honors. Senior Jayden Connolly is another returning starting defender. “Emma’s by far our most experienced defender and never takes a minute off,” Montera Jr. said of Pagano.

group of opponents.

“We plan to make the most of every day, to maximize each opportunity and really want to hit the playoffs playing our best lacrosse,” Montera Jr. said.

Senior captain Riley Mohr is the returning goalie who made 86 saves in net and looks to put together another solid season.

On attack, senior AllConference Grace DiDominica had 11 goals and 18 assists, adding 34 groundballs to lead the category. Senior Brigid Mahoney started every game on attack in 2023 and is being counted on to up her production from 10 goals. Junior Kaylin Harrington and sophomore Sydney Abbott serve as additional offensive weapons. Oceanside is ranked fifth in Class A and will face its usual challenging

Sydney Abbott serve as additional Oceanside

Photos by Justine Stefanelli

Maeve Barrins

Dylan Bender

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SEAFORD

Vikings bring high expectations

By ANDREW COEN

Two years removed from nearly reaching the county finals for the first time since 2003, Seaford boys’ lacrosse is primed for another playoff run with a number of key returning starters.

Seaford graduated 19 seniors from the 2022 team that reached the Class C semifinals and despite many new faces last year battled to earn the seven seed for the playoffs before dropping a close game to North Shore in the quarterfinals.

“Last year we were coming in with a younger, inexperienced team and we knew it was going to be tough, but they stepped up and did a great job and I think maybe surprised ourselves a little bit, “ said ninth-year coach Brian Horner. “There’s just been some

as a junior. Senior attackman Dan Barone also became a big offensive leader in 2023 despite getting sidelined by a wrist injury for four weeks. Will Peterson is also expected to play an integral role at attack as a senior after getting plenty of minutes last spring.

Sophomore Brian Falk leads the offensive midfield unit after receiving All Conference honors as a freshman. Seniors Frank Pyryt and Andrew Tudda are also returning midfield starters who both shined for the Seaford boys’ basketball team in the winter.

The Vikings will compete in Class C once again, which lost deafening champion Manhasset to Class B.

Seaford has unfinished business

Seaford girls’ lacrosse embraced the challenge of competing

program this spring.

The Vikings will once again be part of Nassau County’s top league in the regular season two years after capturing a league title in Conference II. A heartbreaking 9-8 loss to South Side in the Class C quarterfinals is fueling Seafiord’s many returning players.

“Our returners definitely have that fire kind of feeling within them to come back and finish off some of those close matches from last year,” said second-year coach Krista Ancona, whose team lost three one-goal games last season.

Seaford returns all its starting close defenders from last season including Daniella Stek, Ashley Tuohy, Shannon Bool and Madison Agostino. Freshman Sarah Ulzheimer will take the regions as starting goalie this season after playing on junior varsity last year as an eighth grader.

Harbor as well as this year’s Class favorite Wantagh.

“I have an awesome group of seniors this year and I’m really excited to see how they lead the group and anything can happen,” Ancona said.

excitement building up from the end of last year to the start of this year.”

Senior Jake Anzelone, a U.S. Naval Academy commit, anchors the defense. He also was utilized plenty on the offensive end of the field last season and registered 45 points while also taking moist draws.

with the top area teams last year in Conference I and is looking to take an additional leap as a Turturro.

Junior George Casha and freshman Paul DiBlasi also bring experience to the close defense. DiBlasi started on varsity as an eighth grader after shining on JV in seventh grade. Jon Lent and Ryan Allen are competing for the starting goalie spot.

On offense, the Vikings return senior attackman Tim Navi, who was honorable mention All County

second half of last season with an Amanda Turturro, who was a of 11 in Conference I ahead of experience to the close defense. Allen

Ancona also returns plenty of offensive firepower at attack in junior attackers Jess Grzelaczyk and Sophia Santella along with senior Amanda Beadle, who missed the second half of last season with an injury. Senior Amanda Williamson and freshman Madison O’hagan are also back after starting at midfield last season.

Ancona said offense should get a boost this season from the addition of new assistant coach Amanda Turturro, who was a standout attacker at Rutgers.

“She is going to be running our offense which we are really excited about,” Ancona said of

Seaford enters the 2024 season preseason ranked 9 out of 11 in Conference I ahead of South Side and Port Washington. The Vikings challenging regular season schedule before the Class C playoffs includes all four county champions from last year in Massapequa, Garden City, Manhasset and Cold Spring

Photos by Ron Manfredi

Daniella Stek

Jake Anzelone

SEWANHAKA

Indians plan to surprise

By BRIAN KACHARABA

Despite winning just once in the last two seasons combined, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Sewanhaka boys’ lacrosse team this year.

The Indians haven’t won since April 22, 2022, but did show some moxie during their 0-16 campaign last year. They lost twice by a goal, including one in overtime, and showed plenty of fight during the fourth quarter of games that had already been decided.

“If people see us on paper, they might say we’re not a problem,” said second-year coach Connor Horl. “But I think we’re going to be an issue for some teams. I’m hoping to make a big push this year.”

The Indians are strong in transition, and if that holds true, A.J. Ayau could be poised for a bigger season after scoring 15 of the team’s 40 goals as a freshman last year to earn All-Conference honors.

“He’s Tyreek Hill with a lacrosse stick,” he said in comparison to the speedy Miami Dolphins receiver. “His athletic ability just astounds me. He’s an athletic freak in transition, he can go to the net to score. He’s on faceoffs this year. I think he’s a Division 1 LSM.”

Junior Nate Ball is adept at intercepting passes on the back end. In goal, juniors Jeff Conors and Justin Andrews will be competing for time and could share responsibilities.

Sewanhaka gets influx of youth

An influx of freshman talent to go with the seasoned veterans also gives the girls’ team hope for improvement under their secondyear coach Deirdre McIntyre.

The girls went 1-7 in conference play last season and a lack of a JV team creates a baptism by fire situation for the newer players, but the amount of off-season work

“As a freshman, after a few games every team put their best pole on him and he didn’t stop being himself,” Horl said. “He’s a stud.”

has been encouraging for McIntyre.

“We have an amazing group of ninth-graders coming in,” she said. “Unfortunately, we’re only going to field a varsity this year, but I think we have girls that are dedicated. We did a winter league, we had girls coming to winter practices. They’re a very dedicated ninth-grade group, so I’m very excited for the growth that they’re going to bring to the program.”

One of them is midfielder Athena Thomaidis, who McIntyre sees as a “key component” with more experience as well as goalie Kelsey Lyons, who could see some playing time this season with senior Serenity Walrond. Jade Young is another freshman that could emerge as a future star.

added five as a defensive middie last season to lead a corps that also includes junior Erin Norrby.

Senior Lovell Cannon is being moved to attack and Horl is also hoping to get some offensive production from juniors Steven Ortiz, Kevin Parpar, and Lucas Lievano and senior Sam Castillo. Senior Garvey Dorstan and hard-working junior Jaden Armstrong provide more depth up front.

Junior long-stick middie Hallelujah Agesin is a strong defender who is often pitted against the opposition’s best offensive player. But Horl compared him to a wellknown NFL offensive standout.

Sewanhaka still has skill players at each position, starting with 14-goal scorer Stephanie Aguilar, who finished 2023 with a four-goal game against Wheatley, and fellow senior Mariah Wolfe, who had a hat trick in the Indians’ lone win of the season in the penultimate contest.

penultimate contest.

“I definitely want Stephanie scoring as many goals as possible,” McIntyre said. “I want her to lead everything on the field, as she is a senior. I think we can expect her to be a key component this season. When she’s not on the field, the team definitely feels it.”

Senior Yasha Ahmed brings experience at attack and junior Gabrielle Dawson will be moving up front from defense.

Layla Davis had four goals at midfield last season and junior Janiya Grant

had four goals

Mariah Wolfe Adrian Ayau

SOUTH SIDE

Cyclones eye deep playoff run

By GARRETT D. URIBE

South Side won all its league matchups last season but one – falling 9-8 to Conference B nemesis Garden City, the eventual state Class B boys’ lacrosse repeat champion.

The Cyclones (7-1 Conference B, 13-5 overall) also were edged at Calhoun, 6-5, in a semifinal bid to face the Trojans in a rematch with county supremacy on the line.

So close last spring for a South Side club that had made the move to Class B after finishing 2022 as a Class C finalist – a runner-up run wrought by a roster of mostly sophomores, who two years hence now enter the season as decorated, seasoned seniors. The veteran crew – which returns to Class B – senses its window, said 17th-year coach Steve DiPietro.

“They’re a close-knit group that’s been together a while, had some trials and some success,” DiPietro said. “This is the year we hope to put it all together and take that next step.”

senior Cole DiPietro also returning at midfield.

Aiello and West led South Side with 30 and 28 goals, respectively, with Aiello adding a team-leading 19 assists. Senior Liam Livingston (15 assists, tied with West for second on the team) returns at first-team attack, joined by first-year Cyclones starter Griffin Mills (senior).

Seniors Chris Diez, Will O’Toole and Mike Grossman resume key roles defensively for South Side, while six-foot-three senior (and valedictorian) Michael Muscarella starts a first season at goalie. “Michael fills out the cage,” DiPietro said. “He’s had an unbelievable offseason. I’m excited to see him start.”

Cullen Lynch (junior) and JoJo Souto (senior) round out South Side’s midfield rotation

South Side stacked with talent

As Cyclones girls’ coach Rob Devlin summarized, South Side –having peaked again at the right

time on the heels of its winless league season – wound up last May “a bounce or two” away from crashing the Nassau Class C final.

“Basically out of nowhere,” added Devlin, whose team, for a second straight season, snapped out of a funk with a three-game surge to the Class C semifinals, where the Cyclones (0-9 in Conference 1, 7-12 overall) fell in triple overtime, 11-10, to last year’s county runner-up North Shore.

While biding its time in the regular season has worked well enough in elite Conference 1 –wherein each member receives an automatic playoff berth – South Side might be poised to ditch the trend, Devlin said.

“What you saw at the end last year should be where we pick up,” said Devlin, ahead of his club’s return to Conference 1 play. “It’s a tough conference, but we’re confident.”

defenseman.

Senior Annie Madden and fellow All-Conference selection Ava Curtis (sophomore) return at midfield, joined by first-year-starting Cyclones sophomore Kiera Gun.

Two-time All-County faceoff specialist and midfielder

Michael Melkonian took South Side’s biggest haul at awards season – earning Honorable Mention All-American honors.

Melkonian was tops in

A third-year starter, Melkonian was tops in Conference B with 72 ground balls while his 214 faceoffs won led Nassau. He joins four fellow All-County seniors returning for South Side in attackman Michael Aiello, defenseman Patrick Mullin and midfielders Jack Lozito and Owen West, with Honorable Mention All-County

Conference Schedules BOYS

breakthrough campaigns. Haggerty

All-County combo Caitlin Haggerty – a senior attacker whose 72 points (51 goals, 21 assists) made her Conference 1’s sixth-leading scorer – and Charlotte Rathjen – an Honorable Mention All-American midfielder –return looking to build on a pair of breakthrough campaigns. Haggerty trebled her previous high in goals (17) last season, while Rathjen, with 44, more than doubled her own (19).

Starting the season healthy is senior Avery Testa, whose delayed debut last spring coincided with the Cyclones’ late surge – the attacker scoring 10 goals over South Side’s final four contests.

“Having Avery from the start will be key for us,” Devlin said.

season at goalie and fellow

Returning starters Morgan Harloff (senior) and Sienna Connolly – an All-County junior – head South Side’s defense, with Tara Cody starting a second season at goalie and fellow sophomore Alexa Giannone set to start full-time for the first time at

Photos by Eric Dunetz

Michael Melkonian

Charlotte Rathjen

2024 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview

• Baldwin

CLASS A

• East Meadow

• Farmingdale

• Freeport

• Hempstead

• Herricks

• Hicksville

• Massapequa

• Oceanside

• Plainview

• Port Washington

• Syosset

• Uniondale

• Valley Stream District

CLASS B

• Calhoun

• Division

• Elmont

• Garden City

• Glen Cove

• Great Neck North

• Great Neck South

• Jericho

• Kennedy

• Long Beach

• Manhasset

• MacArthur

• Mepham

• New Hyde Park

• Roslyn

• Sewanhaka

• South Side

CLASS C

• Bethpage

• Carey

• Clarke

• Floral Park

• Hewlett

• Island Trees

• Lawrence

• Locust Valley

• Lynbrook

• Malverne/East Rock

• Mineola

• North Shore

• Plainedge

• Seaford

• Wantagh

• Wheatley/Carle Place

Emily Backlin, Long Beach High School

Photo by Neil Miller

WANTAGH

By ANDREW COEN

The Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team took another step last spring in shaping the program back into championship form.

The Warriors reached the county finals for the first time since 2018 last spring after reaching the semifinals in 2022.

“We’re laying the foundation of what we want this program to be,” said sixth-year coach James Polo. “We have a really special group of seniors that want to accomplish something.”

The attack unit returns plenty of talent led by junior Dylan Martini, an Albany commit, and sophomore Devin Paccione, who tallied 45 points as a freshman.

The offensive midfield is also loaded with senior Army-bound Jake Martini, who registered 56 points last season. Senior Adelphi commit Will Greaves will also be a key component of the midfield in addition to taking faceoffs. Other returning midfielders expected to see key minutes include sophomores

Joe Nicholson, Carter Loughman and Matt Giacobello along with eighth grader Luke Martini.

Perfetti.

Wantagh will take on a grueling regular-season schedule in the Power League featuring the likes of Garden City and Manhasset before competing in Class C during the playoffs. Manhasset, which knocked off Wantagh 15-9 in last year’s Class C finals, has moved up to Class B leaving Seaford, Island Trees, North Shore, Plainedge, Floral Park and Locust Valley as the main competition for a county title.

“When we had our team meeting the seniors stepped up and they spoke about how this is not going to be easy and how every day is going to be a challenge, whether it’s at practice or in a game,” Polo said. “That’s our job as coaches to challenge these kids to make them reach their greatness.”

Sixteen returnees for talented Wantagh

Wantagh girls’ lacrosse tackled the offseason with a championship mindset after a disappointing semifinal loss to end

season fueled

Warriors appear title contenders

The Warriors fell just shy of competing on the county championship stage for a six straight season with a 13-7 defeat in the Class C semis. The 16 returning players from last year’s 13-4 team are fueled by last season’s ending and are determined to bring home Wantagh’s first county title since 2017 this spring.

Wantagh’s think what

“I think it’s in the back of their minds what happened last year and how it ended and they don’t want to repeat it,” said second-year coach Lauren Rupport.

The offense will be led largely by senior midfielder Sienna Diglio and junior midfielder Juliana Cerasi, who have committed to play at the college level at Massachusetts and James Madison University, respectively. Sophomore midfielder Sabrina Asadurian is also expected to take on a big role in her third season on varsity.

“They play so well together,” said Rupport of her three midfielders. “Watching them in the offseason play it looked like they had been playing together forever,”

Massapequa. For the playoffs, Wantagh will compete for the Class C title against the likes of North Shore and South Side.

“A championship is our end goal and that is what we are working our way up to,” Rapport said.

The defense is led by Wantagh also brings back the 2023 campaign. season been playing together forever,” the work and give the team their

The defense is led by seniors Thomas Conway, who is returning from an ACL injury, and Thomas Carlo, a long-stick defensive midfielder who transitioned from an offensive middle in the middle of last season. Wantagh also brings back senior defenseman Mario Innella and goalie Kyle Conklin, a three-year varsity member

The defense returns senior college-bound starters Brighid Smith (Wagner) and Paige Martin (Scanton). Junior Lyla Ingrilli, a Maryland commit, is also back after receiving extended minutes as a sophomore with a deep defensive unit that held opponents to single digits in six games.

The starting goalie job will be a battle between sophomore Madeline Gonzalez and senior Amanda Coppola.

“Whoever is going to put in the work and give the team their best is who’s going to be in the cage,” Rapport said.

The close defense has plenty of depth with freshman Patrick Forthofer, who moved up to varsity as an eighth grader and junior Luke

The Warriors will once again battle it out during the regular season in a grueling Conference I, which features longtime powers Manhasset, Garden City and

Photos by Ron Manfredi

Will Greaves

Sienna Diglio

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Rams stress possession game

By TONY BELLISSIMO

In his second year as West Hempstead boys’ lacrosse coach, Austin Wolfson is looking for the Rams to win some of the close games that didn’t go their way in 2023, and stay healthy.

“We battled through a lot of injuries last year but still managed to be competitive in just about every game,” Wolfson said. “Our schedule is more difficult now, but we return almost our entire offense and play to mix up the dynamics on defense.”

One aspect the coach stressed throughout March to the Rams (3-13 in 2023) was winning the groundball battle. “That’s one of the toughest parts of the game to learn,” Wolfson said. “I want to see us improve in that area and also clears.”

A few members of West Hempstead’s historic Long Island championship boys’ basketball team will look to bring their dynamics and confidence to the lacrosse field, including senior midfielder Gavin Lee.

returning starter who netted 10 goals a year ago.

In the defensive zone, seniors Daniel Rodriguez is the anchor. He’s the veteran of the unit who started every game last season and is an enforcer with skills and great communication skills. Senior Xavier Sarmiento is a newcomer expected to help on defense and as a long pole middie.

In goal, junior Daniel Sanchez is a converted midfielder who brings excellent hand-eye coordination and instincts from playing goalie for the soccer team.

West Hempstead will be scrappy

West Hempstead girls’ lacrosse closed the 2023 campaign with three straight victories and four wins in its last five games, but ultimately fell one win shy of reaching the playoffs.

The Rams lost a bunch of impact players from the 7-win roster, including prolific scorer Gianna Cardillo (41 goals) and four-year starting goaltender Glenda Garcia, and have their work cut out with a more challenging schedule on tap.

The attack includes seniors Declan Cole and Kayden Nuzzi. Both were on the basketball team. Cole returns to lacrosse following a two-year hiatus, while Nuzzi is a

“The crew we have back is committed and hard-working,”

The Rams’ leading point producer last spring, Lee is the go-to guy on offense who brings energy and experience. Senior Steven Poirot and junior David Maldonado and additional key cogs in the midfield. Poirot takes majority of draws and is being counted on to chip in more offensively. The speedy Maldonado, meanwhile, has made considerable progress in his skill set and has a better understanding of the game, Wolfson said.

coach Suzanne Kenney said. “We need to be scrappy and feisty, win the groundball game and make it difficult for opponents to get good looks.”

groundball game and and 11 assists, sophomore attack

Coming off a remarkable freshman season that saw her register 45 goals and 11 assists, sophomore attack Elizabeth Piorot assumes a larger leadership role following the graduation of Cardillo, Garcia and others. Piorot will also take some draws and see time at midfield, Kenney said. “She has very strong stick skills and knows how to get to the cage and finish,” the coach said. “She’s also one of our best passers.”

communicate well and are great teammates.” Also contributing will be senior Kerilee Vargas.

Senior Ivana Jiminez is another topnotch athlete who can score. One of the school’s top soccer players, she’ll work in the midfield once again after collecting 32 goals last spring. “She’s a super competitor who’s fast and strong all-around,” Kenney said.

A three-sport athlete, sophomore midfielder Danielle Healey (soccer and basketball) brings a tremendous sports IQ and serves as a viable target with her height and skill set. Also returning to the midfield is senior Monica Poblador, who bolsters the defensive effort.

Filling the big shoes of Garcia to Altidor. aggressive

Filling the big shoes of Garcia between the pipes is junior goalie Madison Cates, a converted attack. “She volunteered to step up for the good of the team and is looking solid,” Kenney said. “She just needs reps.”

Leading the defense are senior Gianna Feglia and junior Jade Altidor. Both are aggressive and physical. “Their experience will be important,” Kenney said. “They

Maldo-

Steven Poirot

Elizabeth Poirot

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