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Baldwin boys’ lacrosse tasted its share of success last spring in what appears to be a cup of coffee in Nassau Class B.
The Bruins split eight conference games and went 9-7 overall in a positive campaign that ended with a loss to Carey in the first round of the playoffs.
“It was a nice growth season and now we’re going back to Class A to play teams we’re familiar with,” coach Tim Clancy said. “We lost a good core of seniors including most of the starting defense and an All-County goalie. We do have some good young talent that’s coming along nicely.”
The majority of the roster is comprised of juniors, including the projected starting attack of Brady Mahler, Paul Clement and Jake Davidson.
Nieves is the lone returning starter and will lead a group that includes junior Boragu Arlin and freshman Elijah Iles.
Taking over between the pipes is junior Othello Cook, last year’s JV starter who’s making tremendous progress at the position. “Our JV had its best season in a long time and he had a lot to do with it,” Clancy said.
Avenging a late regular-season defeat to Jericho and beating the Jayhawks in the first round of the Nassau Class B playoffs was the highlight of 2022 for the Lady Bruins, who finished .500 in con-
ference games and posted six wins overall.
“It was a big step for the program,” coach Rebecca LaFlare said. “I’m excited about this year’s potential even though we don’t have any seniors. The girls played throughout the summer and winter. We have a strong junior group and some very young talent.”
27-goal
with great stick skills and never
LaFlare had a seventh-grader on varsity for the first time in her coaching career last spring and Kaitlin Timmes thrived in the midfield, earning All-Conference honors with a 27-goal campaign. “She’s not big, but she’s very quick with great stick skills and never tires,”
feet and brings lockdown ability, and Sienna Hardy is a shot blocker with good field awareness.
Maisonet saw a fair amount of varsity action last spring and showed growth during the offseason. LaFlare said: “I’m confident she’ll do well.”
Mahler racked up 40 points a year ago and creates matchup nightmares for opponents with his 6-foot-4 frame. “He’s a very strong kid who developed as a consistent scorer last season,” Clancy said. “He’s tough to cover.”
consistent
Clement spent last year at the JV level to gain experience in the sport and is a strong lefty with a hard shot and playmaking ability, Clancy noted. Davidson comes off a big football campaign and will be counted on to finish around the cage. Eighth-grader Brian Medley is in the mix at attack and midfield.
The leaders in the middle are juniors Aaron Bell and Logan Kirchner, who had about 20 points apiece in 2022. Bell battled injury but when healthy is a key at both ends of the field. Sophomore Vaughndre Johnson, who quarterbacked the football team, is up from JV and brings serious athleticism.
On defense, senior Aaron
Also returning to the midfield are juniors Emma Ryan and Jasmine Tiong-Smith. They’ll both take draws. Ryan (16 goals) was All-Conference and brings a high lacrosse IQ. Tiong-Smith excels on defense and in transition where her wheels creates havoc for opponents.
summer and winter leagues. “CJ
unbelievable stick skills,” LaFlare
Youth is served heavily up front with freshman CJ Keryc (13 goals) and eighth-grader Sophie Sorensen, who starred at the middle school level and in the summer and winter leagues. “CJ has a wicked shot and Sophie has unbelievable stick skills,” LaFlare said. “They’re going to lead the attack for many years to come.”
The starting defense in front of freshman goaltender Briana Maisonet is likely to be comprised of all juniors. Alexis Lakeram is the heart and soul of the unit, LaFlare noted, and the eyes and ears of the zone scheme. “She’s fierce out there and embraces the defensive role,” the coach explained.
Reyna Palmer is quick on her
By TONY BELLISSIMO
Calhoun brings back the majority of pieces after an appearance in the Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse championship game last spring.
“As a school, we’ve had a winning culture since last year with different programs winning county titles or reaching the finals,” coach Jim Femminella said. “Our expectations and confidence are high. My thought process is ‘Let’s improve on yesterday and take it one step at a time.’ But I know the boys are talking about the big picture and that’s OK.”
Defense and goaltending should keep the Colts in every game, and there’s plenty of offensive weapons too.
Senior long stick midfielder
Peter Thomann leads the defensive charge and was Honorable Mention All-American. The two-time All-County selection is headed to the University of North Carolina. “Peter is the heart and soul of the squad,” Femminella said. “He has size, skill, speed and strength and plays with an edge.”
Senior Matt Arando and junior Xander Megias are two other skilled defenders who’ll operate in front of junior goaltender Mark Restivo. After taking over as the starter midway through last spring, Restivo thrived and made 15 saves in each of Calhoun’s last two playoff games — an overtime win over MacArthur in the semis and loss to Garden City in the final.
schedule and it’ll be pretty similar.” The Colts, who finished 5-9 overall, will rely on their attack while the defense jells with some new faces and a new goalie. Juniors Shannon Lewis and Hannah Lewis (no relation), sophomore Alex Aievoli and junior Isabella Vieni spearhead the offense after scoring 21, 17, 15 and 14 goals, respectively. Aievoli, an All-Conference selection, added 16 assists.
The Colts, who finished 5-9 overall,
said, and led the team in points
Finkelstein (23 goals, 29 assists) is a do-it-all midfielder and Molinari,
Faughan
Seniors Jake Lewis, Jayden Finkelstein and AJ Molinari are returning All-County honorees. Lewis is a “special talent,” the coach said, and led the team in points per game (30 goals, 25 assists) after missing time with an injury. Finkelstein (23 goals, 29 assists) is a do-it-all midfielder and Molinari, who had the OT winner against MacArthur, joins him and senior Connor Faughan in the middle after primarily playing attack and netting 29 goals.
Senior Ryan Menghi takes over faceoff duties and senior Kyle Auty returns to lead the defensive effort at midfield. Sophomore Harley Finkelstein is a returning attackman who scored in each of the last two playoff games and had a dozen for the year.
playoff games and had a dozen for
New coach Jamie Ackerman, who served four years as an assistant, takes over a Calhoun girls’ squad returning the bulk of its offense after reaching the Class B semifinals.
“We jumped to Conference II last year after winning Conference III in 2021,” she said. “It’s a tough
tent offensive threat and big part of the defense,” Ackerman said.
hard shot,” Ackerman said. “Isa-
“Hannah Lewis will be our main draw person and is a consistent offensive threat and big part of the defense,” Ackerman said. “She’s a smart and patient player.” Shannon Lewis and Vieni work up front along with senior Sofia Mescolotto. Sophomore Samantha Kalinoglu steps into a larger role on attack as well. “Shannon has really good hands and can catch passes in traffic and finish with a hard shot,” Ackerman said. “Isabella is a lefty stick with speed, and Sofia also has a heavy shot and is someone the younger kids look up to. Samantha is another lefty who can also play some midfield.”
to. Samantha is another lefty who is
Aievoli is extremely athletic and fast, Ackerman said, and can make things happen on the draw circle as well as provide important two-way play. Junior Kaleigh Schaeffler will take some draws and is a key cog in the defensive zone where her height is an advantage.
Calhoun’s most experienced defender is senior Mia Belmonte, an All-Conference honoree who converted from midfielder last spring. Junior Makayla Condela is another integral part of the unit. “Mia really stepped up and developed into a solid defender,” Ackerman said. “We rely on her heavily for clears.”
Sophomore Lainey Guzowski and junior Bella Drayss are vying for the goalie spot.
Characteristically, Carey closed its season strong – wrapping on a 4-3 run before falling to Nassau Class B runner-up Calhoun in last spring’s boys’ lacrosse quarterfinals. Also in familiar fashion, the Seahawks bloomed late, picking up their first win seven games into the schedule.
Along with other assets, a move to Conference CD this season could help give Carey –which finished 5-11 overall, 4-4 in Conference B1 – an early kickstart. Honorable Mention All-American attackman Dean Metzger, its top scorer last season, has taken his
talents to Providence University (RI), but brothers Matt – an All-Conference senior midfielder/ attackman – and Rich Metzger – a second-year sophomore goaltender – remain, along with other proven pieces as Carey looks to recapture the form that made the Seahawks 2021 Nassau Class B finalists.
“At the end of the season, we really started working together,” said 24th-year coach Tom Aiello. “We always seem to get better towards the end of the year. This year we’re hoping to get that chemistry going earlier.”
Augmenting Matt Metzger’s known firepower (13 goals, 11 assists), the sophomore midfield/ attack trio of Christian Korszlowski, Christian Todaro and Chris Obertis gives Carey formidable offensive options, while 6-foot-1 All-Conference junior Thomas Wakely and returning senior James Gangone head a similarly youthful Seahawks defense, with incoming sophomores Billy Koutsambaris and Dom
Deluca becoming starters.
Doubling their wins from the previous season was a step forward last year for the Seahawks. But new girls’ lacrosse coach Paul Luzzi said he envisions strides far greater than Carey’s improvement to 2-11 overall, 2-8 in Conference 4, from a one-win 2021 campaign.
Luzzi, a longtime Carey football assistant coach, has reasons for optimism. Though Seahawks scoring leader Victoria Dallas and fellow All-Conference honoree Grace Carrizo – a three-year fixture at goalie for Carey – have graduated, senior returning starters Grace Leder, Faith Anderson, and Giulia Spinzo head a young crop newly infused with talent from an undefeated JV team.
“They are ready to turn the page on last year and get a fresh start,” said Luzzi, whose club –which returns to Conference 4 action – last won a league title in 2019 under former coach Steve Savino. “With the success of the JV last season, and the solid senior leadership we have, the goal is to improve upon last year’s two-win season,” Luzzi added.
“The team and myself are very excited for the upcoming season,” Luzzi said. “We all understand that there are challenges ahead, but we are looking forward to facing them head on and getting better each day.”
and getting better each day.”
to Calhoun – Rich Metzger
Posting 92 saves last season in 11 starts – among them a valiant, yet ultimately unavailing, 18-save outing in a league loss to Calhoun – Rich Metzger starts a second season in goal for Carey on precociously solid footing, with Sailors senior Gianluca Magliaro (35 saves) adding tested depth at backup. “We’re expecting good things from Rich,” Aiello said. “He’s very experienced for a sophomore, and he’s gotten
ciously solid footing, with Added Aiello: “The
Added Aiello: “The guys started to click last year and competed on a high level, working together and getting better. We’re
Third on the team with 13 tallies last season, Leder will likely look to second-year sophomore middie Leila Paz and first-yearstarting junior Julia LaRosa as top offensive collaborators, while Anderson (four goals) resumes twoway linchpin duties at midfield, heading a crew that welcomes back juniors Caterina Parrino (seven goals) and Mia Vintimilla, as well as sophomore Kaitlyn Zitarosa, who had four goals and four assists as a freshman.
Defensive stalwart Spinzo –whom Luzzi has called a “proven leader” – inherits higher systemic importance as Carey replaces the two-time All-Conference goalie Carrizo with sophomore Kaylin DeJesus, who had 21 saves last spring as a backup.
guys and
himself in good shape.” looking to do that again.”Matt Metzger
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Aparticipation surge has not only bolstered Clarke’s varsity boys’ lacrosse roster but also allowed for the first JV team since the 2019 campaign.
“The increased numbers came as a bit of a shock, but it’s great,” coach Joe Hasbrouck said. “Over 40 kids turned out for tryouts and we’re carrying 22 on varsity. We picked up quality athletes who aren’t lacrosse-first kids, but they’re working and learning every day.”
The Rams, who won three games last season, jumped out of the gate with non-league wins over Freeport and Hempstead to build some confidence. Cutting down on goals against is a top priority, Hasbrouck said.
“I think we’ve taken a big step forward,” the coach noted. “We have to win our share of draws and maintain more possession.”
Having a goaltender entering his fourth varsity season is a plus. Joe Buffolino has made steady progress each spring and is the backbone of the defensive zone, Hasbrouck said. “His communication and clearing game are key for us,” he said.
The midfield features seniors Gabe Cobham, a lefty playmaker who spent most of last season on attack, and junior Lucas Barsuaskas, described by Hasbrouck as shifty on offense and gritty on defense. A good portion of the offense will run through Cobham.
An all-senior starting attack includes Justin Somyak, who ripped in six goals in the opener against Freeport, Aidan Peters and Nick Iannucci. The coach said all three have made considerable strides since last spring, with Peters the most-improved returnee.
“It’s a similar schedule and we’re looking forward to some close games,” Hasbrouck said.
Clarke was competitive in most of its 10 girls’ lacrosse games last spring but unable to crack the win column.
The Rams had their usual hard-fought battle with Hicksville, falling 9-7 despite four goals from Kaitlyn Vo, and will renew their rivalry with the Comets as well as
Herricks, New Hyde Park, Baldwin, Island Trees, Carey, Kennedy and newcomers Freeport and Glen Cove in Conference IV.
“Our numbers have increased and a lot of kids dedicated themselves during the offseason,” said Brittany Dougher, an assistant coach under Rick Aragona. “Our stick skills look good and some chemistry is starting to cook,” she added. “We have a great senior group and some young talent that’ll help us.”
themselves during the offseason,”
Vo, a soccer standout headed to Stony Brook University, also enjoyed a good amount of success on the lacrosse field in 2022. She scored a team-leading 24 goals and had at least three in six contests. “Kaitlyn leads by example and is fast, athletic and doesn’t have an ‘off’ switch,” Dougher said.
The defense has a new look, led by senior Daniel McGrady, a former long-stick midfielder who returned to the team after not playing a year ago. “We need him for in-close D,” Hasbrouck said of the threesport athlete whose working with sophomore returnee Rocco Carino. “He’s fast and gets after groundballs.”
sport athlete whose working and gets after ground-
Also returning to the attack are seniors Alexa Hildenbrand and Sophia Aprea. Hildenbrand scored eight times last season and brings aggressive moves to the cage. “Alexa has quickness, stick skills and lots of energy, and Sophia has a solid all-around game,” Dougher said. The midfield features senior Sydney Dunn, who is expected to handle faceoffs and contribute at both ends of the field. “Sydney is a vocal leader and a big presence out there,” Dougher noted. Junior Dani Sison is a tireless worker in the midfield, and freshman Erin Frank has been a standout in practice sessions. Senior Molly Grassini will see time in the midfield but also elsewhere thanks to her versatility, Dougher said.
versatility, Dougher said.
Junior Sophia Papacostas, a high-scoring field hockey talent, moves from the midfield to bolster a defense that includes seniors Sophia Ruperto and Cynthia Velez, and sophomore Karli Rubenstein. Junior Alicia Velasquez and sophomore Lauren Foley are vying for time in goal.
a defense that includes seniors time
East Meadow’s boys’ lacrosse team showed marked improvement under new coach Tom Susko last season by going from two wins in 2021 to eight while barely missing the playoffs. If the team stays healthy and the youth matches its potential, an encore this spring could very well be in order.
The Jets finished the regular season strong with three straight wins by a combined 42-17 score, but a three-game losing streak that preceded it proved to be the team’s downfall in their postsea-
son quest. The offense took a hit with the losses of Pat Spinola (47 goals), Brendan Dohney (19) and Brian Surless (10) to graduation, but there could still be some firepower to make up for it.
“I’m going to push them,” Susko said. “We’re going to work with what we got, put everybody in the right places and then just one day at a time work it out.”
Senior Fernando Flores shined in his first varsity year with 23 goals, including five in a 15-12 win over Locust Valley in last season’s penultimate game. Susko is looking for “sneaky” sophomore Bryan Tauber and senior workhorse Brandon Kebreau to provide the secondary scoring.
“They didn’t win a game for the last couple of years and last year, it was a huge confidence boost to even make it to the playoffs,” she said.
Lindsay Solenski (65 goals) and Gina Giambald (35) graduated after accounting for almost 80 percent of the team’s goals last season and Tortorici is hoping that a more spread out attack can help offset those losses.
and Gina Giambald (35) graduated percent of the team’s goals last
“Hopefully, he’ll have the most [goals] on the team and step up and do everything that we ask of him,” Susko said of Flores.
up and do everything that we ask of him,” Susko said of Flores.
Susko is also hoping for big seasons from midfielder Mark Reyes, who is strong on ground balls and faceoffs, and, eventually, fellow senior Joe D’Alessandro when he’s fully healthy. Six-foot sophomore Ryan Michel bulked up last summer and will anchor a defensive corps with senior Jack Egan and sophomores Nick Lagadino and Vinny Ronzo. Sophomore Tom Augusto saw some time in net last season with seven saves and his hockey goaltending skills could be useful as he replaces the graduating Eddie Michaels.
“We lost two pretty big players, so we’re kind of trying to fill those shoes,” Tortorici said. “Overall, it’s just nice that everyone is really balanced. There are no, ‘let’s rely on one person,’ [attitudes].”
faceoffs, sophomore Ryan Michel bulked up last summer
The girls’ team finally enjoyed the taste of success last season. The Jets entered the 2022 campaign on an 18-game losing streak but went 4-4 in Conference 3 play to earn a playoff berth. They were 0-6 against non-league opponents, but coach Nicolette Tortorici believes that the team’s morale
is already stepping into a leader-
Isabella Pota is the top returning scorer with 16 goals. The Western Connecticut-bound senior is already stepping into a leadership role by pushing and inspiring her teammates during training camp.
“She’s definitely our best player that we have here,” Tortorici said.
Alexis Chew, who Tortorici tabbed as a “key player” on this year’s team, and senior Kelly Stump should provide the secondary scoring as well as junior Skylar Egan when she returns from a knee injury.
Junior Halle Lara could be another offensive facilitator when she sets up behind the cage and juniors Brooke Vislocky and Izzy Levin, a JV callup, will step in at midfielder with Chew.
The new defensive starters had yet to be determined at press time. Athletic senior Ava Lanza is one of the few holdovers and Tortorici is hoping to use her more as a transition player and junior Dynastee Ramos returns in goal.
By MARC BERMAN
Just one win. That’s all Elmont coach Connor Bennardo can focus on right now.
The Spartans are coming off an 0-16 season. Bennardo was an assistant coach on the winless squad and now takes over as head man in trying to reverse those ignominious fortunes.
Elmont lost just one player from that oh-fer squad. “We were a very young and inexperienced team,’’ Bernardo said. “We were getting very close at the end of the season. We’re looking forward to getting that first win this year. We’re hoping to get that first one in over a year and build from there.‘’
It’s still a young group with mostly juniors and sophomores.
But two of their seniors will
make a big impact – midfielder Alex Williams, who has committed to Ana Maria College in Massachusetts, and attacker Aaron Michael.
Williams, a three-year varsity starter, registered 15 goals and 10 assists last season and is considered the “engine’’ of the offense, says the first-year coach. The Spartans are hoping for more production their captain known for his leadership skills.
“As an attacker, Michael has been the offense’s quarterback the past two seasons and led the team in assists last season with 25. He has outstanding vision,’’ Bernardo said.
Elmont’s most valuable player, though, might be on defense in the form of junior Sam Simon. Last season, Simon led the club in caused turnovers and ground balls as a sophomore. He has been named a captain. “He’s the heart and soul of our defense,’’ Bennardo said.
There’s a lot of other juniors rounding out the starting lineup and Elmont is young in goal with sophomore Julius Sylvian-Jenkins. There are two junior midfielders in Tayshawn Powell and Vincent Laffey. Senior D’Khari Dennis is also at midfield.
Juniors Brian Wilson and Derek Espinoza will be part of the defensive unit and junior Steve Lambert is on attack.
As for the Elmont girls, its thin roster forced them into a condensed season, playing just eight games. The team finished 4-4 in the conference. According to coach Kemola Webster, Elmont didn’t schedule non-league games.
The Spartans lost their top two players in leading scorer Orobo Ogbovoh and Kelsey Parchment
but the roster is deeper this season with 23 on the roster and 13 games scheduled.
“We got a lot of hardworking kids – I think this is going to be a fair season,’’ Webster said.
Their three top players are senior attacking midfielder Anaise Novembre, sophomore goalie Saradjine Simeon and junior defender Karena Powell.
Novembre is a four-year varsity player and has started the past two seasons, known for her playmaking. She registered 10 goals last spring along with a handful of assists. “She’s the team leader and team voice,’’ said Webster, who has led the Spartans since 2016.
Simeon is young, but as the coach says “fearless.’’ She started in goal as a freshman and made a season-high 14 saves in a tough 9-7 loss against Freeport, which won the conference title. Simeon also came through in wins over Great Neck North and Great Neck South.
Powell has been named captain this season and is “the heart of the defense,’’ said Webster, adding that she is “hardworking, motivated, and versatile and pushes her team to be the best.’’
The rest of the starters include: junior attacker Ivie Ihaza; sophomore center midfielder Makayla Noel; junior defender Alanah Brown; senior defensive midfielder Savannah Solomon; senior defensive midfielder Katia Maisonneuve; sophomore midfielder Sahara Williams and senior defender Ambar Garcia.
Ihaza, who found the back of the net 17 times in 2022 and recorded several hat tricks, will be asked to pick up some of the scoring slack lost by the departures of Ogbovoh (28 points) and Parchment (23.)
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By ANDREW COEN
With a strong nucleus returning, longtime Freeport boys’ lacrosse coach Harry Mohrman is optimistic the Red Devils can make waves this spring.
Freeport brings back 12 returnees from last year’s 1-11 team that showed signs of promise throughout the season dropping three games by three goals or less.
“This is one of the better groups we have had in awhile,” said Mohrman, who enters his 49th year on the Freeport sidelines. “We have 30 kids on the team and that is the most we
have had in a long time.”
Drayton, who tallies four goals and two assists in Freeport’s seasonopening 13-12 loss to Clarke on March 23 and seven points in a 12-5 win at Great Neck South on March 25. Drayton, who will also play some attack, has started varsity since his junior season in 2021.
Caleb Mann, who played at Long Island Lutheran last year, and senior attackman Alec Bastien, will play key roles in the offense with both registering three goals in the Clarke loss. Senior midfielder Julian Awalom will also be a big focal point of the offense. Mohrman is hoping for a big year from faceoff specialist Lebron LynShu, who will play a crucial role in efforts to keep the ball on the offensive side of the field.
The Red Devils’ offense is led by versatile senior midfielder Matt decade.
Senior Isaiah Curtis anchors the defense after earning all-conference honors last year. Fellow seniors Brian Marino and Ryan Retlaff provide additional experience to the defensive end of the field.
The progression under Lopez, who took over as head coach in 2018 a year removed from a winless season, will continue this spring when the Red Devils move up to Conference IV and tackle a more challenging schedule. While Freeport lost 12 players from last year’s 9-1 team that went unbeaten in conference games.
“We’re definitely dealing and working with a younger team, but I do see potential,” said Lopez, who played lacrosse at Freeport from 2004 to 2008. “This year is about building and learning each other’s strengths and weaknesses.”
Freeport returns eight including senior Cassie Smith, who tallied 24 goals and 12 assists as a junior. She was clutch when it mattered last year scoring the winning goal in a crucial 9-8 double overtime win against Elmont.
“She is going to be someone to be reckoned with,” said Lopez of Smith. “She is wicked fast and has a great shot.”
to be reckoned with,” said Lopez
Retlaff provide additional experience to the defensive the Great win. season concludes on May 17 home for a 5 p.m. faceoff.
The goalie position is up for grabs between freshman Malik Groover and senior Austin Patience. Grover started the first two games and recorded eight saves in the Great Neck South
The schedule this spring will feature a mix of Freeport’s traditional Conference I opponents and smaller schools. The season concludes on May 17 at home against Hempstead for a 5 p.m. faceoff.
Anabel Lopez’s efforts to turnaround the Freeport girls lacrosse program took a big step last year with a Conference V title and first playoff appearance in more than a
Senior Amber Marquez and freshman Julia Mendoza-Pinyero are also scoring threats to complement Smith. Freshman Ava Smith, the younger sister of Cassie, is also expected to be a big focal point of the offense.
On defense, Freeport will have veteran leadership from seniors Daniela Canales and Taya Baskin, who are captains along with Cassie Smith. Pamela Collado is slated to start at goalie after earning experience on JV last year.
Junior Sejla Omeragic, who played on JV last year, is expected to take draw controls and could be a force for the Red Devils gaining extra poressions with her height.
Freeport’s new conference includes Island Trees, New Hyde Park, Bellmore JFK, Hericks and Glen Cove.
Hewlett’s boys’ laxmen garnered more success last season in posting a 10-5 record but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Floral Park. The ambition is to duplicate its regularseason success, no easy task.
There’s an urgency with 10 seniors. Coach Dale Pescitelli knows 2024 will be a rebuild.
“I feel with the schedule of league games and us having to build our own non-league schedule, it will be difficult to mirror last season,’’ the coach said. “But we feel we’ve put in a lot of work in the offseason and we’ll be in the playoffs.’’
Despite losing star offensive player Mark Winkler to DeSales University in Pennsylvania and top defender Carmelo Curra, the team is loaded with experience. But the Bulldogs face a stronger
non-league schedule than 2022.
The two most gifted players are seniors, midfielder Max Mariasch, headed to Boston University, and attacker Ryan Goodman.
The coach is especially impressed with Mariasch’s leadership since he was part of the 2020 team that had its season wiped out by Covid-19. It was a team filled with top leaders who could’ve guided Mariasch, according to the coach.
“He figured out how to lead on his own,’’ Pescitelli said.
Mariasch was tied for 12th in Class C in points with 62 (35 goals, 27 assists). “Each time I have seen him perform, he has enhanced his game, adding a new skill or improving an old one,’’ Pescitelli said.
In Goodman, Hewlett boasts a player on varsity since eighth grade. Dale calls him “a fearless pit-bull of a player’’ who collected 62 groundballs as an attackman and 57 points. He’s committed to Quinnipiac.
Meanwhile, senior Jesse Cohn, the senior long stick midfielder, is the glue. “He does everything for us without hesitation,’’ Pescitelli said.
Three other up-front players are junior Luke Rochler, a midfielder, and seniors Johnny Cusumano and attacker Trevor Auerbach.
The top defenseman are seniors Ian Fleurant and Matteo Preziosi with sophomore Daniel Lankri in goal. The starting unit should also include junior attacker Ryan Rovner and sophomore midfielder CJ Maiorano.
Hewlett’s girls team rode through hard times last spring, going winless in Conference 3 at 0-9 and winning just two games all year.
Things have turned toward the brighter side for the Bulldogs. Coach Jackie Hughes was preg-
nant during that rough 2022 campaign, but has given birth to a son whom she took to its first 2023 practice to the delight of her players.
and senior attacker Jordan Billharz will see a lot of action while Hughes’ six-month old baby will
see a action
campaign, but has given to its first 2023 practice to the invaluable
After being a sophomoredominated squad in 2022, Hewlett returns all of its starters with a shot at being relevant again.
“They gained invaluable experience,’’ Hughes said of the sophomore class. “It was a tough season but they kept a positive attitude and had fun even though we were struggling. I was grateful for that. The positive attitude has led to hunger this year.’’
sophomore class. “It was a tough kept a has
Hughes believes Hewlett, at the least, will be middle-of-thepack, partly because of strength in goal.
Senior netminder Ava Giugliano, committed to Division I Iona, will start for the fifth straight year. “She’s been a luxury to have in net, a fundamentally sound goalie,’’ Hughes said. “We can count on for big saves that most goalies shouldn’t make.’’
count on for big saves that most
Junior twins Marcie and Catie Iannico man the midfield with a double blur of athleticism. As 3-sport athletes, they are not just gritty but often the fastest players on the field, the coach said.
The offense runs through junior attacker Brianna Ruta. She was Hewlett’s leading scorer last season and even bigger things are expected.
The Bulldogs have depth not found last season with sophomore attacker Krista Lee expected to contribute. The defenseman are junior Tella Tutino and seniors Dalilah Doncell and Emily Goldenberg.
Junior midfielder Kate Epstein
serve as unofficial mascot. tion,’’ Pescitelli said. are junior Luke Rochler, a midfieldCJ toward
By BRIAN KACHARABA
The Kennedy boys’ lacrosse team has made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons and now they’re hoping that success can carry over into the postseason.
The Cougars’ 10 wins last season were two better than 2021, but both trips to the playoffs resulted in a first-round loss. This year’s roster is similar to last season, so a return trip is definitely not out of the question.
“It’s going to be fun,” said coach Craig Papach, who collected his 200th career win in Kennedy’s most recent victory. “We play some teams that we’re probably going to win by a couple and a couple of teams that are going to beat us by a couple. But our goal is being in that top 10 in the end, make the playoffs, win 10 games and win a playoff game.”
starters to graduation. Junior Finn Loftin is the anchor who is always responsible for guarding the opposition’s best player and senior Thomas Sweeney was the “most improved” Cougar last year, according to Papach. JV junior callups Christian Gunn, Chase Phillips and Ethan Arbesfeld will quickly gain experience at the back end.
All-County senior Benjamin Greco should continue to be a steady presence in goal, and senior Michael McKeon is the backup who also sees time on defense.
A year after winning their first conference title in program history, the girls’ team had a tough time adjusting from Conference 5 to 4 in 2022, which was made tougher
by the absence of one of their top scorers. But the team is finally healthy and determined to prove that last spring was an aberration.
The Cougars lost six of their last seven games to finish 6-9 overall and 4-7 in conference play, and the loss of star sophomore Ella Galjanich to an ACL injury proved to be too much to overcome.
“I think they will be a lot better this year,” she said. “Things considered, we hung in there last year, but I think that if there are no injuries, we’ll be pretty good.”
Opposing defenses should be wary of seniors Max Zaransky (31 goals) and Joe Battaglia (40), who combined for 102 points last spring despite Zaransky being limited to just seven games due to a broken hand.
“Those two make a great 1-2 punch,” Papach said. “Joe really flourished in Max’s absence last year.”
Junior Dylan Cutler is another offensive threat and the team boasts a steady midfield group in senior Nick Giannaris and juniors Raymond Torchia and Alex Leiderman
Defense could be the biggest question mark after losing three
in 2023, even though it will take
Galjanich had 25 goals and 38 points prior to the injury and Freely is confident she’ll be atop the leaderboard in both categories in 2023, even though it will take her a little more time to be completely healthy.
“I expect her to be our leading scorer in each game,” she said. “She’ll be quarterbacking the offense and running the show. I’m worrying about her just easing in in her first two weeks back with the running and stuff, but she looks good.”
Freely also “expects big
the midfield position last season.
Freely also “expects big things” from sophomore Lauren Robinson, who had 16 goals at the midfield position last season. Juniors Kaylee Ayers, Sophia Fischetti and Alexa Wohlleben and freshman Dakota Hoehn can also contribute offensively.
Graduation depleted most of the defensive corps and all of the starting spots were up for grabs during training camp. Seniors Jill O’Halloran and Caroline Scali will both man the low defensive area with freshman Jordi Wohlleben and Sammi Frank patrolling the back.
Junior goaltender Adrianna year.” the
Junior goaltender Adrianna Califano is back following a season of over 100 saves, including seven double-digit efforts.
April
April
First-year Lawrence coach Melik Mavruk and his assistant David Manara face massive challenges in trying to reestablish the boys’ lacrosse program.
Lawrence finished 2-13 last season and turnout for the first day of practice on March 13 was lower than expected with 16 players.
Mavruk has talent with seven returnees but not a lot of depth. The Golden Tornadoes are also faced with two key cogs trying to come back from ACL
injuries sustained during the football season.
Mavruk, who played a team of close to 20. If
Mavruk, who played football and lacrosse at Lawrence, hopes to field a team of close to 20. But that’s no guarantee because of off-the-field issues. Mavruk replaced Keith McDermott, who left to join Lynbrook’s staff.
“Rebuilding would be an overstatement,’’ Mayruk said. “We’re probably trying to survive. If we have enough kids who don’t have good grades, we may not have a That’s the stark lacrosse reality at Lawrence, which has never boasted a girls program. In the past, girls have boosted the roster’s depth, but so far none
Lawrence, which has program. boosted
have come out for training camp. There’s talent – just not enough numbers for Lawrence to field playoff dreams. Lawrence lost its top long stick midfielder in Davison Claros, a 4-year varsity starter who keyed the defense. He’s now at Fairleigh Dickinson playing Division I volleyball.
but neither have a lot of starting experience.
long keyed Fairleigh
While Danny Farante is a senior, he’s a first-year player. Two other rookies are sophomores Navell Ford and Medaro Martinez.
The top three players stand as Kody Kirchner, a senior attacker, senior goalie Amari Elliott and senior midfielder Dexter Robinson.
The Kirchner, Dexter point-scorer netted all said. be goal
Kirchner has been the top point-scorer for two straight seasons and netted 33 goals in 2022. “He plays all over the field,’’ Mavruk said. “He’s the last of a great line of athletes from the Kirchner family.’’ Lawrence should be adept at goal because of Elliot, a threeyear starter committed to Averett University in Virginia.
of a great line of
Robinson is a four-year starter who brings an explosiveness. The four-year starter was All-County in volleyball and basketball and usually is the best athlete on the field.
By midseason, Lawrence hopes to get back Jahking King, a senior midfielder who suffered an ACL tear. Celvin Fuentes, a junior defenseman, has been cleared from his ACL injury.
Holding down the fort will be three seniors in attacker Quinn Kerins, a four-year starter, long stick midfielder Denis Delianin and defenseman Manny Martinez.
The rest of the group is inexperienced. Junior attacker Andy Redzovic and junior defenseman Eric Folgar will have big roles
a team.’’Dexter Robinson Kody Kirchner Photos by Donovan Berthoud
The Long Beach’s boys’ lacrosse team takes the field this spring with heavy hearts following the recent death of senior Gerrin Hagen.
The Marines are honoring Hagen in a variety ways. They will carry his jersey onto the field on game days and wear a helmet decal with his initials and uniform number ‘2” inside a clover.
“It’s going to be a tough and emotional season,” coach Jason Pearl said. “Gerrin was a big part of our team and just a great kid.”
The Marines won 10 games a year ago and reached the Nassau Class B quarterfinals after knocking off Roslyn in the first round. They return a talented defense and attack, Pearl said, and will aim to build up the midfield as the season unfolds. There’s also a new starting
goalie.
“We’ll look for our defense to set the tone along with some proven scorers,” Pearl said.
The starting defense is stacked. Seniors Jack Skarren (St. John’s University) and Hayden Sofield (Vassar) are both coming off All-County campaigns, while junior Tommy Cieleski (Stony Brook) is another high-end talent. Skarren scooped 61 groundballs in 2022 and is also a threat in transition with five goals to his credit. Sofield is a vocal leader and is expected to handle the majority of draws.
The attack features senior Jack Miller (Manhattan), an All-County selection who had 25 goals and 18 assists last spring to lead the team in points, and Towson-commit junior Luke Hartman (24 goals.) Eighth-grader Cian Donaghy has been impressive in camp and has all the tools, Pearl said.
Senior midfielder Jeff Conway is a big, physical leader who’ll rarely come off the field, the coach noted, and senior Finn Morris is a key in the transition
Sophomore goalie Richie Behr has the inside track for the bulk of playing time after starting for the JV last year. Freshman Aiden Derupo is also in the
Is this the year Long Beach kicks the door down and captures its first-ever girls’ lacrosse county
Last spring, the Marines came painfully close. They fell in the Class B title game to Garden City, 9-8, with the deciding goal coming
with 1.7 seconds remaining in regulation.
“Every year we’ve inched closer and closer,” coach Rachel Ray said. “We led Garden City for the majority of last year’s game and it was a tough ending. We’re hoping to get back to that spot and try to finish the job.”
Long Beach’s roster includes only three seniors: twotime All-American Delaney Radin, Keira Bauer and Nora Codianni.
Radin is a sixth-year varsity attacker headed to the University of Florida. Last spring she led Nassau County is points (123) and Long Island in assists with 62. “She’s definitely the heart and soul of our team and makes everyone around her better,” Ray said. “She’s an incredible feeder and scorer.”
Bauer, a midfielder headed to Binghamton, earned AllConference honors in 2022 and had three goals in the county title game. Codianni’s defensive presence will be a big factor, Ray said, with an otherwise young group in the back that includes sophomore Taryn Morris, eighth-grader Anala Teemer, and juniors Molly Duffy and Kaitlin Buonocore.
a big said, with an otherwise
Junior Ava Main is an AllCounty midfielder who can dominate between the 30s, Ray said. Main had 28 goals and 22 assists. Sophomore Delaney Chernoff is an All-Conference middie who had 23 goals and 19 assists in her first taste of varsity. Freshman Sky Kilfeather burst onto the varsity scene as well with 20 and 18, respectively. Junior Ella Timperio is a crafty finisher at attack.
In goal, junior Emily Backlin played lights-out during the playoff run and ignites the transition game with her clearing ability.
“Our nucleus is so strong and I feel we’ll be a force,” Ray said.
By BRIAN KACHARABA
The Lynbrook boys’ lacrosse team made tremendous strides last season, going from 4-9 in 2021 to 9-7 while winning their first-round playoff game in dramatic fashion. Now, a familiar face takes over at the helm in hopes of continuing that upward trend.
Assistant coach Bill Luzzi, who held that position for 11 years over two separate stints, is the Owls’ new bench boss. He believes the transition will be made easier with former coach Bill Leighley on his staff as well as some knowledgeable assistants.
“I’m excited to take over,” he said. “I’m excited to bring new energy to the program as the head coach. We’re looking to play fast, to play tough, to play disciplined and to really rely on our seniors to have a good year this year.”
O’Brien, Chris Luccese, Tyler Denker and Max Cordes highlighting a group that helped yield about nine goals a game last spring along with senior defensive middie Ryan Shapiro.
There is very little dropoff in goal with experienced senior Jake Lunati taking over for the graduated Collin Lung and junior Caiden Lung hopes to continue the successful family lineage as the backup.
The girls’ team returns virtually intact from a year ago and is ready to take another run at what has been an elusive county cham-
pionship in recent years. But could this be the last time it does for a while?
After consecutive losses to start the 2022 season, the Owls reeled off 13 straight victories and won their first-round matchup with Friends Academy before falling to Manhasset in the quarterfinals. With 14 seniors on this year’s team – most of them impact players – coach Vin Tetro believes he has the group that could finally win it all. “They’re excited, they’re ready and they want to make a deep run this year,” he exclaimed. “I don’t know if it’s pressure. I think it’s more of they’re ready for this.”
consecutive victories
Two seniors who should fit that bill are midfielders Max Dantona and Michael Fagen, who combined for 60 goals and 91 points last spring. Dantona was especially clutch with two overtime goals in 2022, the latter against Friends Academy in that first round playoff game.
“He is our go-to guy,” Luzzi said. “He can shoot the ball very well on the run. We’re just trying to make sure that we develop an offense that gives him as many opportunities as we can.”
Senior Jimmy O’Hara, junior Mike Hendrickson and sophomores Jack LaBarbera, Luke Dantona and Bennett Votano are also players to watch offensively.
new energy to the proFriends Academy in that first round watch offensively.
The defensive corps is vastly experienced with seniors Sean
The defensive corps is vastly experienced with seniors Sean
returns its high scoring trio of
Lynbrook lost just 31 of its 237 goals from last season and returns its high scoring trio of Sara Curley (48 goals), Mimi Berkowitz (40) and midfielder Kaelynn O’Brien (38). Curley and Berkowitz both attack from the right side and Tetro believed the duo could post even bigger numbers.
“They’re going higher,” he said. “They definitely didn’t hit a ceiling yet. Sara has gotten increasingly better, and she trains harder than I’ve seen anyone train.”
said. didn’t hit a ceiling yet. Sara
Midfielder Caityblu
Cavassa pumped in 27 goals last spring and Tetro called her one of the best faceoff specialists on Long Island. Sophomore Brooke Mazzei impressed with 18 and opposing defenses may also have to be wary of Ava Padilla, Samantha DeLucca, and sophomores Penelope Yaker and Olivia Palleschi.
Tyla Vuotto is the lockdown defender on the back end and will be joined by rising sophomore Gabriella Meszaros. Versatile junior Jesse Bodian will start the year on defense but will eventually be used at midfield and attack.
Mary Costello takes over in goal and Tetro believes her game will grow with more experience.
Midfielder Caityblu Cavassa Island. Brooke and the be joined by rising sophomore Gaon in goal grow
MacArthur boys’ lacrosse graduated the bulk of last year’s team that was on the doorstep of the program’s firstever county finals appearance.
The Generals lost 22 seniors from the 2022 team that dropped a 10-9 overtime heartbreaker to Calhoun in the Class B semifinals. MacArthur still returns some firepower from last year’s historic team and could be fueled for another deep postseason run.
“They want to make a statement,” said coach John Nessler. “They’re looking to write their own legacy.”
Among the key returners is midfielder Joey Forchelli, who has battled back from an ACL injury
to become an offensive leader during the second half of the 2022 season. Forchelli tallied two goals and one assist in the playoff loss to Calhoun.
Seniors Rocco Hogan (midfield) and Patrick Cheswick (attackman) also bring experience to the offensive end of the field after starting last season. Junior midfielders Ryan Fitzgerald and Connor Larkin also expected to be an instrumental part of the Generals’ offense.
The defense will be anchored by senior Michael Cassano, who started a long-pole unit last year that held opponents to single digits in 10 games. Dan Deluca and Paul Calvo are also poised to play a large role with the Generals close defense. The starting goalie position was up for grabs at the start of preseason practices. captured a county wrestling title at 152 pounds in February, will also play an important role as faceoff
standout goalie Giavanna Stamatelo, the Generals return key pieces of last year’s defensive unit that held teams to single digits in 11 games last season. Freshman Abby Clarkson will take the reins in net and have a solid nucleus in front of her that includes her twin-sister Olivia Clarkson and Rylee Fanning, who both started as eighth graders.
Senior defender Marissa Cardon also adds veteran leadership in front of the goal. Ani Angelakis, basketball teammate of Cardon this past winter, will also play a crucial role in the Generals’ backer zone defense trying to force turnovers
“She is a tough, tenacious type of player,” coach Dan Agovino said of Angelakis. “We will use her a lot to double the ball.”
fielder
specialist. and Long Beach.
MacArthur enters the season as the fifth-seed in Class B behind Garden City, Calhoun, South Side
Returning senior starters Natalia Russo and Sophia Marino bring experience to the offensive end of the field. Freshman midfielder Eve Larkin, who started as an eighth grader is also a big scoring threat and has big potential for a strong career with the Generals.
Freshman Caileigh O’Shea, who was on varsity as an eighth grader, is in the mix to be one of the team’s draw control specialists who will seek to give MacArthur extra possessions on offense.
need to fill and a lot of experience that we need to replace,” Nessler said. “We’re eager to get started,
“We have a solid core, but there are a lot of pieces that we need to fill and a lot of experience that we need to replace,” Nessler said. “We’re eager to get started, but we also know that we have a
lot of work to do.”
MacArthur’s girls’ lacrosse team is eyeing a league title in Conference III with stealth defense. While MacArthur graduated
Defending Conference III champion Mepham moved up to Conference II, which puts MacArthur in position to possibly capture a league championship with strong competition from Friends Academy. Last year the Generals went 4-4 in conference play before falling to Mepham in the Class B quarterfinals, 10-2.
“The goal we set is to win a conference championship and then go on from there to the playoffs,” Agovino said. “It’s in our realm but we have a lot of work to do and we have to take it one game at a time.”
April
By DAVID WEINGRAD
Asurging Malverne/East Rockaway program is still riding high following two straight playoff appearances out of Conference C, despite losing three of its most skilled players to graduation.
ment at an all-time high, coach Andrew Biscardi said he feels the excitement among his young team. “We’re back to rebuilding a bit,” he said, “but you can see it in the guys … they’re motivated.”
Freshman Matt Delligatti will likely replace Joe Lazazzaro as the top scoring threat. A year ago he tallied eight goals and 11 assists as an eighth grader on varsity, and Biscardi said he’s not afraid to lead the charge to the cage and push the tempo.
Junior Matt Larin will have big cleats to fill taking over goaltending duties from Aidan Green, but Biscardi said he’s already seen vast improvement in his communication and technique.
A welcome return to the defense following a wrist injury last season is senior Michael Williams, a team leader who excels with his footwork and physicality.
Sophomore Emmanuel Adeyemi, who takes over the role of long-stick middle from Liam O’Neill, is another player Biscardi said he is excited to see grow.
“We’re a pretty young team,” said Biscardi, noting the game plan will be different with the departure of those skill players. “Definitely going to have a lot more teamwork. But it’s fun to coach and we’ll get everybody involved.”
It was a tale of two halves for Malverne/East Rockaway last season following a tough beginning that saw it drop its opening six games.
But then the light switch flicked on.
From there, the team rolled off six straight wins to end the year on a tide of optimism. “We were young, and that chemistry took a minute to click,” said coach
Casey Capece, adding that the offense and defense rose to a new level in the second half. “It all happened at once for them. At the end of the season, we felt unstoppable.”
Malverne/East Rockaway will be led by senior midfielder Sarah Boubert, a leader who brings quickness, a lethal shot and intensity to her game. Her younger sister Makayla, a freshman, also follows in her footsteps matching her intensity, Capece said.
Junior midfielder Emma Poland brings an advance skillset and on-field IQ that Capece credited to her natural athleticism as a threesport athlete.
Senior attacker Kate Chelius is a scoring threat around the crease and junior Nicole Buzzetta, also on attack, has an uncanny ability to shake defenders.
Eighth grader Makaela Brennan brings talent and maturity beyond her years to the midfield, with Capece lauding her ability to distribute the ball and pick off
On defense, junior Isabella Alvarez is returning from a shoulder injury and will be a vocal leader in the backfield. Seniors Kristina Gray and Xiang Chin are also defensive grinders who are a key part of the
Juniors Jaden Taylor and Cameron Lewis are two players who Biscardi said have accelerated their game in the offseason and will be major parts of their offense.
Junior Javier Fuentes is a defensive midfielder who goes after ground balls and can guard anybody. And senior Rob Staubitz is someone who can run all over the field, seemingly never getting tired, coming off a three-goal and six-assist season a year ago.
and Xiang Chin are also defensive grinders who are a key part of the team’s transition game. to remember how they felt last year, and
And at goaltender, Aaliyah Reshard not only makes the saves but also helps clear the ball to jumpstart the offense. This year, the Rockin’ Mules are hoping to pick up where they left off. “There’s a glimmer in the girls’ eyes,” said Capece. “They remember how they felt last year, and that feeling is back.”
Mepham boys’ lacrosse returns most of last year’s squad that saw it win their its playoff game since 2004, and will once again look to make a run in a very competitive Conference B.
“Every year we want to build and get better,” said first-year coach Gerard Cunningham. “Winning a playoff game is big, and we want to keep going.”
Top point scorer Owen Heller, a sophomore, will be returning to help ignite the offense. A varsity player since seventh grade, Cunningham described Heller as a big-bodied facilitator who draws the attention of defenses.
Another key offensive returner is junior Liam Williams, second in points a season ago, who is one of those essential players who isn’t afraid to get dirty grappling for loose balls. “I describe him as a
bulldog,” said Cunningham. “He goes in there, gets ground balls and finishes.”
Sophomore Alessandro Walaitis also brings his strong shot to the offensive side and is expected to fill up the stat sheet.
At midfield, junior Devin Green will be a welcome presence as a two-way player after he missed last season with an injury.
But it’s the defense that Cunningham hopes will be the team’s strength. They’ll be led there by the athletic All-Conference senior GianMarco Priola, who’s committed to play next season at the University of Tampa, and fellow All-Conference senior Kevin Perry, who will lace up his cleats at Pace University next season. Junior Mitch Savalli and sophomore Matt Bascardi will also be key cogs on the defensive end.
fortunate the girls have really pushed themof and
selves this offseason.”
Much of the action for the Pirates will revolve around their talented midfield, led by junior Jenna Dempsey, a workhorse who sets the tempo motoring up and down the field all game. Sophomore Grace Skulavik is also strong on both sides of the ball and is often assigned to guard opponents’ top playmaker. And sophomore Leah Smith brings an extremely high lacrosse IQ.
want to win another one.”
of Confer-
For Cunningham, his excitement is about continuing the winning culture in Mepham’s program. “It’s about guys keeping the stick in their hands all year,” he said. “We started this year with winter workouts. Last year we won [a playoff game] and this year we Coming off arguably its most successful season in program history as the ence III, the Pirates will take their game to the next level this season in Conference II – a challenge coach Kristen Mogavero said the girls are more level,” said Mogavero, “And we’re
he said. “We started this year with winter workouts. Last year we won Mogavero,
Defense will also be a major strength, with veteran Madison Weber seizing the mantle as a senior leader to be the voice on defense. She’ll be joined by talented underclassmen, twin sophomores Maggie and Gabriella Fitzgerald, and junior Bella Jensen, who has committed to continue her lacrosse career at SUNY Cortland. Junior Olivia Meyer will also be an important piece as a returning All-Conference player.
piece returning
On attack, All-Conference senior Quinn Schroeder will serve as a main scoring threat and excels at creating opportunities not only for herself but for her teammates. Up and coming freshman Ellie Meyer will also contribute offensively from the midfield position.
At keeper, Mogavero sang the praises of junior Catherine Chow, the lone backstop on the roster, who handles every single shot in game and practice.
“Realistically we are coming into this season as underdogs,” said Mogavero. “We’ll go into every game with a dogfight mentality. It doesn’t matter where we’re ranked or who our opponent is, we’ll just fight for everything.”
By GARRETT D. URIBE
Oceanside turned its ship around last year under erstwhile skipper Rob Blount, bouncing off 2021’s 2-11 misfire to finish 8-8 overall, 5-4 in Nassau Conference A boys’ lacrosse.
Seeking to keep the Sailors on course as he steps to the helm this spring, first-year coach Kevin Anderson has turned to an obvious source of expert advice – the team itself.
A democratic approach to scheme design has helped optimize Oceanside’s offense, said Anderson, whose club looks to show a sleeker side with more movement and midfield attack as it returns to Conference A action led by senior returning starters Nicky Cairo, Cole Parker and Jake Perinchief.
“I think the kids work better as a team if they feel they have some input,” Anderson said. “I think they buy into that.” He continued: “So last year the offense was
mainly just downhill. A few kids told me they thought they could maybe attack more from the sides, incorporate more activity inside the crease, be more flexible on the attack. And so that’s what we’re doing, playing to our strengths.”
Midfielders Cairo (seven goals, five assists) and Perinchief (8, 6) are tapped to be Oceanside’s main two-way workhorses, while Parker – an LIU commit – returns as an All-Conference faceoff specialist. Junior midfielder Brian Kraemer – whose brother, All-County attackman Ronnie Kraemer, led the Sailors last season with 45 goals – becomes a first-year starter for Oceanside, as does sophomore attackman Michael Madden.
Returning senior Matthew Piccorillo is joined on Oceanside’s starting defense by first-year sophomore Dylan Bender and senior Andrew Cagno, who starts at goalie after a season as understudy to two-time All-County Sailors goaltender Ryan Collins (SUNY Oneonta).
“We’re not as big as last year’s team,” said Anderson. “But we have some guys that can shake and bake, so we’ll use that to our advantage. And we’ll have more options that cater to our guys’ abilities.”
Powered by All-County pillars Lily Johnson and goalkeeper Izzy Weintraub, the Sailors put a sub-.500 2021 girls’ lacrosse season far in the rearview fast last spring –starting 6-0 before settling into a 5-4 fourth-place finish in Conference 2, 11-6 overall.
For a second straight season Oceanside boasted the league’s top defense
(8.3 goals per game), while also retracing its postseason steps with
marked a team season high.
“Offensively the girls are pretty comfortable,” Montera said. “We’ll probably look to be more aggressive than in the past.”
a semifinal loss to Nassau Class A finalist Syosset.
With last year’s top duo departed to the ranks of women’s college lacrosse, Oceanside’s hopes to continue its climb will chiefly lie in the leadership of seven returning starters – including senior assist leader and second-leading scorer Megan Checola (16 goals, 14 assists) and All-Conference juniors Emma Pagano and Natalie Paul (11 goals, four assists, teamleading 42 ground balls) – while junior Riley Mohr debuts at goalie with a strong JV résumé.
“This team is sort of the reverse of what we’ve been the past few years,” said seventh-year coach Ralph Montera, Jr., whose club resumes play in Conference 2. “We lost some defenders and a goalie, and we actually have more experience on offense. So our defense might be more conservative at the start, a little behind our offense.”
Third on the club in scoring last season, junior Maeve Barrins (13 goals, 13 assists) rejoins Paul and returning sophomore Leigha Zaman (10 goals, one assist) as a starting midfielder for Oceanside. Joining Pagano on defense, junior Jayden Connoly makes the move to full-time starter, along with senior Sailors defenders Emma Radif and Abigael Gherig.
Senior Erin Bellinger – whose four goals paced the Sailors in a 14-3 rout of Friends Academy last season – returns to Oceanside’s first-string attack alongside Checola – whose seven points (five goals, two assists) against East Meadow in a 16-3 Sailors win
The Seaford boys’ lacrosse team graduated major pieces from last year’s team that nearly achieved the program’s first county finals appearance in 20 years.
Nineteen seniors were lost from the 2022 team that went 14-2 and fell to South Side 13-10 in the Class C semifinals at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium. Eighth-year Seaford coach Brian Horner hopes the foundation laid last spring carries over into 2023.
“What we did was pretty special last year,” Horner said. “We beat really good teams in the
regular season like South Side and Wantagh that people didn’t think we would so we made strides as a program and I’m thrilled with the way the season went last year.”
While many leaders from last season are now gone, junior defenseman Jake Anzelone brings key experience to the team on and off the field. Anzelone, who has committed to play college lacrosse at the U.S. Naval Academy, is coming off an offseason where he worked hard to further refine his skills.
“Since ninth grade we’ve been testing him with some of the most difficult matchups,” Horner said of Anzelone. “He has flown under the radar, but this year people are going to know him right away.”
Joining Anzelone on the close-defense unit are seniors CJ Russo, Alex Maugeri and sophomore George Casha. Tim Navin, who served as backup goalie last season, is poised to start in net this spring and may also be utilized as a field player on offense because of his strong athletic abilities. Jon Lent and Brian Ryan Allen also may see time in the cage.
On offense, the Vikings return attackmen Dan Tudda and Andrew Tudda. Junior midfielder Frank Pyrt,is also expected to be a big part of the offense with versatility to play all ends of the field and take faceoffs.
“He’s big and is lightning fast,” said Horner of Pyrt. “He’s a freak of nature.”
Seaford’s girls team will be well battled tested in its quest for a deep postseason run.
After winning a league title in Conference II last year, Seaford
was moved up to Nassau County’s top league this season giving the program a chance to compete with some of the most accomplished high school programs in the state and nationally. The Vikings are looking to position themselves in the regular season to compete for a county championship in the Class C playoffs after falling to North Shore in the quarterfinals last year.
“We’re playing some big dogs this year,” said first-year Seaford coach Krista Ancona of the regular-season schedule in Conference I, which includes Garden City, Manhasset, Massapequa and Syosset among its members. “I told the girls we are playing some big dogs but we’re not going to play with our tail between our legs and we are going to come out and fight and be aggressive.”
some tallied
think we’ll be okay moving into playoffs.”
Danielle McHugh was also a big
Seaford, which returns around 85 percent of last year’s 14-4 team, and will lean heavily offensively on senior midfielder Amanda Ettinger, a University of South Florida commit who tallied 39 goals last year. Junior midfielder Danielle McHugh was also a big offensive force last season with 33 goals. Senior attacker Dylan Lee is also a scoring threat near the cage.
On defense, the Vikings are led by Daniella Stek, Ashley Tuohy, Emma Williamson and Shannon Bool. Nikki Nietsch will start in goal after serving as backup last year.
While the looming challenging schedule could produce some lopsided results in some games, Ancona is looking to keep a positive mindset.
“We want to build ourselves up skillswise against these big teams but also do it as a team,” Ancona said. “There is potential for some big gaps in losses, but as long as we can stay unified I
April
By BRIAN KACHARABA
The Sewanhaka boys’ lacrosse team felt the sting of losing 13 senior starters from the 7-7 squad in 2021 by winning just once last year. This year’s roster is also vastly different – except for a few key players – leaving new coach Connor Horl a chance to grow with his first group.
The former South Side assistant credits former bench boss Mike Sakowich for helping him prepare for his first head coaching journey and said he has already grown a bond with the boys in such a short time.
“For me, wins and losses don’t matter,” he said. “The scoreboard really doesn’t matter. What matters to me is that we fight every game [and] we play hard. The kids like being around me and I like being around them.”
Midfielder Steiger
being leadership
Devil and goalie Jalen Brown represent two of the four seniors on the team and among the few who returned. Horl is leaning on them for leadership on and off the field and helping the Indians regain their competitive swagger.
“[Steiger] is one of the older guys in the room, so I’m looking to get a lot of leadership out of him, being a guy that has a lot of experience and is always helpful,” Horl said. “Jalen was one of my football players and I’m looking for him to be a leader on the defensive end.”
Horl is also hoping freshman A.J. Ayau and sophomores Lucas Lievano and Kevin Parpar can develop at attack while being set up by sophomore midfielder Steven Ortiz.
Sophomore Hallelujah
Agesin is the team’s “Swiss army knife” who can play any position and junior long stick midfielder Lovell Cannon – another returnee – can be another “coach on the field.”
Helping Brown on defense will be junior midfielder Adwaiy Ajith Kumar, freshman Alex Zelaya and junior Antonio Sicignano.
Former Baldwin lacrosse and field hockey standout Deidre McIntyre takes over a girls’ team that has won just a handful of games over recent seasons and is still honing their skills.
Like the boys, this year’s team has plenty of youth. But unlike the boys, McIntyre has more experi-
enced players to work with.
“I’m very honored to be the new head coach of a developing program,” she said. “We really are a young program. Most of our players are in ninth and tenth grade. They know that they’re new and they’re working really hard to get to a point where they’re enjoying games and creating good opportunities with each other.”
Junior Stephanie Aguilar was one of the team’s more dynamic players last season and reached double digits in goals, including a four-tally effort against the Valley Stream District last April 5.
very they’re new and they’re working point is
“She is quick and she’s very athletic naturally so if we ask her to do something, she is able to work on those skills,” McIntyre said. “She is starting to emerge as a leader on the team.”
At midfield, aggressive senior captain Olivia Neuhaus is strong on faceoffs, and junior Mariah Wolfe’s skills improved by leaps and bounds during training camp and will be counted on at both
ends.
Junior Yasha Ahmed and freshman midfielder Betty Sanchez are also being looked upon for
offense.
as the defensive middies and senior
Speedy sophomores Gabriella Dawson and Janiya Grant return as the defensive middies and senior co-captain Kyla Grant leads a defensive corps that will also include sophomore Bianca Rodriguez and junior Serenity Walrond.
Not being able to field a JV team opened the door for energetic eighth grader Marissa Giles to start the season in goal and McIntyre lauded her play during training camp. Senior Margie Sulfrano gained some experience at the position last year and the team can also turn to Walrond in a pinch.
year and the team can also
South Side’s boys’ lacrosse team is coming off a Nassau Class C championship loss to Manhasset and losing eight key players, including its star Brady West, who is playing for Division I Loyola (Md.)
However, coach Steve DiPietro isn’t concerned as he enters the 2023 campaign boasting a deep, talented roster featuring 27 juniors and two All-County returnees.
South Side is moving from Class C back to B with perennial power Garden City as the team standing in the way of a county crown.
The Cyclones have made at least the county semifinals seven straight seasons and should do so again. Four juniors already committed to a D-I program. “Biggest class I’ve ever had,’’ said DiPietro, in his 16th season as head coach.
The All-County returnees are senior goalie Tommy Gentile, headed to Boston University, and junior Michael Melkonian (Cornell.)
“He’s very experienced, quick and agile in the cage with a very good stick,’’ DiPietro said of his star goalie. “He made big saves in big moments last year.’’
The coach called Melkonian a “workhorse’’ and one of the best faceoff guys in the county.
Brady West, Honorable Mention All American last season, is gone but his brother, junior Owen West, will be a key cog. He’s committed to Bryant University and is “big, strong and fast’’ like his older brother.
Additional Division I commits are defenseman Patrick Mullin (Providence) and the coach’s son, junior midfielder Cole DiPietro (Hobart). Five other key returning starters are Michael Aiello, Ryan Mayerhofer (Muhlenberg), Logan Kelly (Scranton), Ryan Kassl (Adelphi), and junior Jack Lozito, a 2022 All-Conference selectee.
South Side last won the state title in 2004 and with all that junior talent, next season could be the year. “We definitely have a lot of experience in key places back,’’ DiPietro said.
The Cyclones’ girls team had more modest success in 2022, finishing 8-8 and losing in the county quarterfinals. Even with losing eight players, including stars Emily Iacobellis (Cornell) and Mackenzie Creagh (Holy Cross), South Side may not take a step back despite having just two seniors.
“I think we can get to that round again,’’ coach Robert Devlin said. “With the strength of our returning players, we are looking forward to progressing even
further.’’
There’s six returning starters, including the captains: junior Morgan Harloff, senior Hailey Ferraro-
Harloff, a defender, was All-
Reich and junior Demmerle Hamel. Harloff, a defender, was AllCounty last season and has committed to Stony Brook. “She’s very strong and aggressive, understands the defensive position,’’ Devlin said.
“We often used her on the opponent’s biggest offensive threat.’’ Ferraro-Reich is known for smartness on offense, seeing open players, providing movement and playmaking, the coach said.
ness on offense, seeing open
Hamel is their fastest attacker with quick drives to the cage. She’ll have an increased role.
Returning as a starter is sophomore Charlotte Rathjen, the team’s unsung hero last season with 19 goals and 11 assists, using her height (6-foot), vision and accurate shot.
sophomore is Sienna Connolly, an
Another accomplished sophomore is Sienna Connolly, an All-County Honorable mention after starting all 16 games as a freshman defender. She has the perfect blend of aggressiveness and control, according to Devlin.
Junior Annie Madden was All-Conference in 2022 and committed to Lafayette after a 30-point season (12 goals-18 assists). She was team leader in assists and her best attribute is receiving passes in traffic.
Junior Caitlin Haggerty is another All-Conference performer who committed to Vermont after scoring 17 goals and 14 assists in using her size and strength to slip defenders. Then there is junior Avery Testa, All-County Honorable Mention committed to William & Mary after scoring 33 goals in 2022, second on the team. “She’s extremely dedicated to her craft and plays with great confidence,’’ Devlin said.
Looking to make an impact include senior Charlotte Mann, aggressive on ground balls, and
By TONY BELLISSIMO
Finding a shot stopper could ultimately determine if Valley Stream’s boys’ lacrosse program improves on its 5-win campaign from last spring.
The roster was gutted by graduation last June and included in that group was standout goaltender Jack Delcarpine, who earned Honorable Mention AllCounty recognition. “It’s basically open tryouts and we’re trying to find someone willing and able to handle the position,” coach Matt Antoniou said. “Jack was our shining armor last season and figuring out how to replace him is our biggest concern.
“We lost the majority of starters, but we have some nice young talent,” he added. “We’re hoping all the pieces come together and we can match or top last season.”
Seniors Steven Pulsifer and Joe Marrone, both from North High, scored 10 and 8
goals, respectively, a year ago and are unlikely to come off the field, Antoniou said. “They’ll get some breathers when they’re on attack,” the coach noted.
Pulsifer is primarily a midfielder and will take the majority of draws. “He’s added muscle and will be a key at both ends of the field,” Antoniou said. Marrone will play attack as well as long pole middie, a spot he tinkered with late last season. “He enjoys the defensive aspect, but he’s quick and also added muscle and we need him on attack too,” Antoniou said.
Senior Robert Munafo (South) and sophomore Shaun Torchenaud (Central) are two other middies who will be counted on to chip in offensively.
The defense will be under pressure while a new goalie adjusts to the level of varsity action. Senior Christian Layden (North) is the anchor in the back and brings a strong skill set and vocal leadership. “He’s a physical player who does whatever it takes,” said Antoniou, who said senior Mohammed Daffalla (Central) has All-County tools and freshman twins Anthony and Sean Nuzzi (North) represent both the future and present at the
said position.
Participation numbers have escalated for Valley Stream’s girls’ lacrosse program, which boasts 25 members on both the varsity and JV rosters this spring. “It’s the biggest turnout we’ve had in a very long time,” coach Jessica Ricotta said.
Valley Stream went 7-7 a year ago and has more experience in the fold, including nine seniors.
“We played some difficult opponents last year and held our own,” Ricotta said. “With the experience we bring back, finishing in the top three in the conference is our goal.”
The team’s strength is in the midfield with senior captains Kamryn VanEtten and Alyssa Farrell, and junior twins Mariella Lopez and Marialiv Lopez (Central) all returning. The Lopez’s specialize in defense (Mariella) and attack (Marialiv), respectively, and standing out so far the coach noted.
VanEtten (South) scored 23 goals last season and is a four-year starter. She had a trio of four-goal games in 2022. “She holds the team together and we rely on her to score and defend,” Ricotta said. “She’s very tough to stop.”
Farrell (North) is a defensive standout and the voice of the back zone. “All the girls look up to her, and she holds the fort down on defense,” Ricotta said. “She’s a huge part of the team and a role model.”
Senior Reilly Daly (North) made some game-changing plays last season, Ricotta noted, and is capable of putting the ball back in the net as well as set up teammates. Daly had five goals and five helpers. Junior Olivia Muscatelli (North) chipped in some offense as well and is a key part of the attack. The defense will take some time to jell considering most of the contributors graduated. Senior Lindsay Guerra is a strong communicator and could be surrounded by some of the team’s nine freshmen.
In goal, senior Angeline Alvarenga (Central) has the inside track to start after rising to the occasion at the JV level last spring. “She really stepped up to the plate,” Ricotta said. “She has good instincts and is eager to learn and improve.”
By ANDREW COEN
The Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team enjoyed a turnaround 2022 season that fifth-year coach James Polo hopes sets the tone for another strong spring.
The Warriors went 11-7 overall while facing a challenging schedule and reached the county semifinal stage a year removed from a frustrating 2-10 2021 season that was truncated to the Covid-19 pandemic with a number of players joined late because of overlap with spring football.
“The season prior was a difficult one, but we were able to bounce back and we had great senior leadership who showed the younger kids the way,” Polo said. “This year we want to take that next step and reach the finals.”
Wantagh graduated seven seniors, but four received All-County or All-Conference honors. The Warriors do bring back some offensive firepower in junior attackman Antony Tsakos, who tallied 55 points last year while earning honorable mention All-County accolades. Junior attackman Danny Fisenne also returns after an AllConference sophomore campaign. Complementing Tsakos and Fisenne is junior midfielder Jake Martini, who registered 21 goals as a sophomore. Sophomore Dylan Martini, cousin of Jake, is also back after a 24-goal freshman season along with seniors Joey Martin, Nick Cupelli and Brian Doherty.
Junior Will Greaves will once again serve in the important role of faceoff specialist after back-toback All-Conference seasons.
Senior Michael Aufiero will anchor a defensive unit that lost two starters to injury during the football and wrestling seasons. Junior Kyle Conklin goalie is slated to start in net after backing up starter Cavit Ireland last year. Wantagh, which was seeded third in Conference C/D, is eyeing a deep postseason run in the Class C playoffs after falling to Manhasset 15-4 in last year’s county semifinals. The conference also includes Carey, Lynbrook, Plainedge and Island Trees.
“With this conference there really is no off day,” Polo said. “There are eight league games and those games mean so much.”
Wantagh girls’ lacrosse enters the new season determined to write a better ending.
The Warriors return 13 from last year’s 15-3 team that fell to Manhasset in the Class C finals. While a county title is the ultimate goal, first-year
coach Lauren Ruppert is seeking incremental progress throughout the spring when Wantagh tackles a grueling regular season schedule in Conference I.
“I want to take it one step at a time,” said Ruppert, who previously coached girls lacrosse at St. Mary’s in Manhasset. “We aren’t going to get to counties if we can’t focus on the first stuff and the little stuff.”
Wantagh lost two-time All American attacker Madison Taylor to graduation, but brings back senior attacker Madison Alaimo, who has committed to play college women’s lacrosse at Virginia. Alaimo will spearhead the offense along with Riley Forthofer, Julia Nicholson and Juliana Cerasi. Ruppert is also hopeful for the return soon of senior attacker Eva Ingrilli, a UNC commit who was injured in a 12-6 semifinal win against South Side last year.
The defense will be led by Kat Gullian, Brighid Smith, Paige Martin and Lila Ingrilli. The starting goalie spot is up for grabs between seniors Nicole Schaumloffel and Lauren Rochel along with junior Amanda Coppola.
The Warriors will be battletested during the regular season competing in Conference I, which includes longtime powers Garden City, Massapewua and Syosset among other top programs. In the playoffs, Wantagh will once again compete in Class C with Manhasset and South Side providing challenging barriers towards accomplishing the team’s goal of winning the program’s first county title since 2017.
“It is a wonderful group of girls who work really hard and they have been very helpful with me in my transition to becoming head coach,” Ruppert said. “They have been very helpful with everything which shows the type of kids they are and the people who are raising them.”
• Baldwin
• East Meadow
• Farmingdale
• Freeport
• Hempstead
• Hicksville
• Massapequa
• Oceanside
• Plainview
• Port Washington
• Syosset
• Uniondale
• Valley Stream District
• Calhoun
• Division
• Elmont
• Garden City
• Glen Cove
• Great Neck North
• Great Neck South
• Herricks
• Jericho
• Kennedy
• Long Beach
• MacArthur
• Mepham
• New Hyde Park
• Roslyn
• Sewanhaka
• South Side
• Bethpage
• Carey
• Clarke
• Floral Park
• Hewlett
• Island Trees
• Lawrence
• Locust Valley
• Lynbrook
• Malverne/East Rock
• Manhasset
• Mineola
• North Shore
• Plainedge
• Seaford
• Wantagh
• West Hempstead
• Wheatley/Carle Place
• Cold Spring Harbor
• Friends Academy
• Oyster Bay
By TONY BELLISSIMO
New Rams boys’ lacrosse coach Austin Wolfson inherits a roster with a mix of returnees and newcomers. Numbers in the program are up with the varsity carrying 22, although there’s not enough bodies to field a JV team.
“There’s definite potential,” said Wolfson, who played for two national championship teams at what’s now LIU-Post and recently coached three seasons at the JV level in Oceanside. “It’s a young group,” he added. “We’re mostly juniors and sophomores with a few seniors and freshmen included.”
West Hempstead’s
chances of success begin from the goalie-out. Senior
Dan Clark is a veteran between the pipes and has shown
tremendous leadership, the coach said. “He’s a kid who is positive and upbeat and proving to be an exceptional leader,” Wolfson said. “In the cage he has a big frame and experience.”
The defense in front of Clark will also be key in keeping the Rams competitive a year after they secured a couple of victories. Seniors Stephen Coppola and Michael AbiAoun won’t come off the field until they need a breather, Wolfson noted. Coppola is a strong one-on-one defender with a finesse game, while AbiAoun brings a physical element. Junior Daniel Rodriguez will also start in the back and has the markings of a vocal leader with one-on-one ability.
In the midfield, juniors Steven Poirot and Gavin Lee will lead a group that includes newcomers Dennis Rodriguez and David Maldonado. Poirot is expected to handle the majority of draws and possesses a combination of height and strength. Lee is a shifty multisport athlete who’ll be counted on to produce at both ends of the field.
Seniors Walter Jaco Ruiz and David Tobar, along with freshman Kayden Nuzzi, head the depth
The Rams averaged only five goals per game last spring.
“Fundamentals win games,” Wolfson said. “It’s going to be about draws, time of possession, ground balls and clears.”
A couple of Nassau County’s girls’ lacrosse 2022 leading scorers reside on a Rams roster that runs 17-deep this spring.
Senior midfielder
Gianna Cardillo netted 50 goals a year ago, while talented young attack
Elizabeth Poirot scored 46
times and had 14 assists — as an eighth-grader. Along with a handful of graduates and returning starting goalie Glenda Garcia, they led West Hempstead to a 7-win campaign.
“We’re excited and expect to have some success even though we lost some key pieces,” coach Suzanne Kenney said. “We have solid numbers and just need a few kids to step up and fill some voids.”
have should strong
The offense should be in good hands. Cardillo, a New Paltz commit and Honorable Mention AllCounty, is a three-sport athlete and the Rams’ best two-way player, Kenney said. “Gianna is strong all over the field with a nose for the goal,” the coach said. “She’ll take most draws and she’s a powerful runner who’s hard to stop.”
most draws and she’s a powerful
Poirot, an All-Conference selection, is an aggressive playmaker who works well from behind the cage and in front of it. “Her stick skills are excellent and so is her lacrosse IQ,” Kenney said. “She had chemistry last year with Mackenzie [Cates] and she also works well with Gianna.”
Senior attack Emma Resko has been with the team for three seasons and will be counted on to pick up some of the scoring slack with Cates graduated. Junior midfielder Ivana Jiminez impressed last spring with 10 goals and 10 assists and provides a great deal of speed as well. Freshman Danielle Healey, another three-sport athlete, bolsters the midfield.
Senior Lillian Fackelman, described by Kenney as a smart and steady player, anchors a defense that will be otherwise unproven.
It’s the third year Garcia will serve as the starting goaltender. “She’s worked hard with assistant coach Sheila Dempsey and has had two really solid years,” Kenney said.
