2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
FREEPORT Red Devils looking to surprise By ANDREW COEN
Mohrman is looking to adopt an aggressive style of defense that can lead to transition opportunities on offense. reeport boys’ lacrosse is “I like to set up unsettled situmotivated to exceed expectations this year in a challeng- ations,” Mohrman said. “We like to pressure and use our speed.” ing league. Freeport opens the season The Red Devils were picked with six straight non-league games 11th of 12 teams in Conference before hosting Valley Stream A, but with 11 returning players District in its conference opener on 48th-year coach Harry Mohrman sees potential for his team to make April 19. strides this spring with a more normal season on tap. Freeport was Seniors lead limited to just 10 games last spring Freeport’s charge in an abridged season, which After nearly capturing a Mohrman said was hampered by a league title a playoff berth during lack of player development when an abridged 2021 season, the then there was no 2020 schedule due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we can be very, very competitive in the league,” Mohrman said. “If you start winning games then the expectations become higher.” Senior attackman Justin Reinke will be an integral part of Freeport’s offense as a third-year varsity player. Reinke tallied three points in a 17-10 loss to Sewanhaka last year. Versatile junior Matt Drayton also gives Freeport experience on offense. He scored three goals and tallied one assist in a 10-6 loss to Elmont last year where the Red Devils led 5-4 at halftime. On defense, Freeport returns senior goalie Javien Drapeau, who Mohman said has shown promise in the offseason to improve on his junior campaign. Junior Isaiah Curtis anchors the close defense. Mohrman said many positions are up in the air heading into the season. In addition to his key offensive role, Reinke may also take faceoffs Justin Reinke along with senior Damani Arisitlde. With a number of football players on his roster who have athletic skills and toughness,
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20 — April 14, 2022
Freeport girls are determined to take that next step this spring, The Red Devils return 12 seniors from last year’s team that finished 10-2 in Conference V. Fourth-year head coach Anabel Lopez, a former Freeport player, has built strides since taking over the program in 2018 after a winless 2017 season and is hoping to return her alma mater to the postseason for the first time in a decade. “Unfortunately with Conference V if you don’t win the conference that’s it,” said Lopez, who played lacrosse at Freeport from 2004 to 2008. “In Conference V there is no playoffs for second place, only first and that is our goal this year.” Freeport brings back a veteran defense that held Conference IV foe Bellmore JFK to just two first half goals in a season-opening 5-3 loss on March 23. The close defense features three senior starters in Kayla Stuparich, Sameerah Lawal and Makhenzie Jinks. Senior goalie Jasmine LaRocca is out early this season due to medical reasons, but should return later in the season after starting last year. Sophomore Madeline Willocks is filling in for LaRocca early in the 2022 campaign and recorded 14 saves in the season-opener against JFK. Lopez graduated some key offensive players, but returns senior midfielder Ancksu Dixon, who posted a team-high 34 goals last season. Junior Isabella Willocks and Cassie Smith are also back after tallying 31 and 19 goals, respectively, last year. The offensive trio was also a force on the draw control circle. Dixon led Freeport in draw controls with 51 followed by Smith with 34 and Willocks with 22. Freeport will compete in Conference V for the league’s top spot against Valley Stream District, Malverne, Great Neck North, Sewanhaka, Elmont and West Hempstead.
HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE PREVIEW
Cassie Smith
Conference Schedules April
BOYS
19 27 30
Valley Stream Syosset @ Oceanside
10:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m.
3 6 11 14 19
@ Hempstead @ Plainview @ Hicksville East Meadow Uniondale
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m.
May
March
GIRLS
25
@ Great Neck South 4:45 p.m.
2 5 8 12 14 26 29
@ Malv/East Rock Great Neck North @ Roosevelt Sewanhaka @ Elmont Hempstead @ Valley Stream
10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
2 6
Glen Cove West Hempstead
4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
April
May
Photos by Donovan Berthoud
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