2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
HEWLETT Bulldogs energized for fresh start By TONY BELLISSIMO
senior Ryan Player, who switches from midfield, and junior Matteo Preziosi, who’s up from JV. The last line of defense is he Bulldogs are eager to turn the page on last spring when senior goaltender Daniel Reznikov, they failed to taste victory in who is expected to benefit from a 13-game campaign that featured last year’s experience. “Everyone has to give 100 a couple of one-goal defeats and a percent all of the time for us to be two-goal loss. successful,” Pescitelli said. “We were young and it was rough and discouraging,” coach Dale Pescitelli said. “Everyone is Hewlett must excited for a fresh start. We’re replace bulk of putting a new defense together offense and it’s going to take time to jell, but I think we’ll be able to surprise Replacing more than 80 some teams.” percent of last year’s scoring proHewlett, seeded 14th out of duction is the biggest concern for 22 Class C schools, will rely on Hewlett coach Jackie Hughes, who five starters on the offensive side guided the Bulldogs to 10 wins of the field to lead the way. Senior and a spot in the Nassau Class B midfielder Mark Winkler spearplayoffs last spring. heads the effort, Pescitelli said. “We lost four incredible The three-sport athlete has played seniors who did so much for us, varsity lacrosse since his freshman but we return a lot of younger kids year and earned All-County honors who played every minute of every in 2021 when he had 46 points. “Our offense should put up points and Mark will be a major part of it,” Pescitelli said. Junior Max Mariasch, who is moving from attack to midfield, tied Winkler’s point production and earned Honorable Mention AllCounty. “Max is a playmaker with quick bursts who put a lot of work in during the offseason,” Pescitelli said. Sophomore Luke Rochler is an offensive-minded midfielder who’s expected to take a portion of the draws. Up front, juniors Ryan Goodman and Johnny Cusumano will be counted on to lead the attack. Goodman was last year’s “Bulldog Award” winner for his spirited and hard-nosed play. Mark Winkler Senior Carmelo Curra is the lone starting defender back in the fold and he’ll rarely come off the field, Pescitelli said. He’s joined by
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game and experienced the speed of the varsity level,” Hughes said. “We have some excellent young talent and just need to find out where the production is going to come from.” Hewlett’s program is on the rise in terms of numbers and is fielding a JV squad for the first time in four years. The Bulldogs are also in Class C after a slight drop in school enrollment. “The road to the playoffs is going to be a little bit tougher,” Hughes said. A fixture between the goalposts since 2019, junior Ava Giugliano has played every minute of every game since joining the varsity ranks. “Having a quality goalie like Ava is a game-changer,” Hughes said. “She’s fundamentally sound and has become more vocal. She keeps us competitive in every game.” The defense in front of Giugliano will have a new look with sophomores Kate Epstein and Olivia Bellin moving from the back line to midfield where their speed and improved stick skills will be on display. Junior Dalilah Doncell and sophomore Tella Tutino and bring speed and athleticism to the defensive end, and junior Emily Goldenberg has experience in the back zone. A pair of sister tandems will be counted on to get the offense into gear and spend time in the midfield and attack. Lightningquick sophomore twins Marcie and Catie Iannico are three-sport varsity athletes, and freshman Krista Lee and eighth-grader Claudia Lee played throughout the offseason and bring impressive skill sets and high lacrosse IQs, Hughes noted. Junior Jordan Billharz is another contributing attacker.
Ava Giugliano
Conference Schedules March
BOYS
29
@ Malv/East Rock
1 6 9 23 25 29
Friends Academy @ West Hempstead North Shore @ Bethpage Oyster Bay Wantagh
4 6 10 13 16
Lawrence @ Plainedge Wheatley Division @ Mineola
April
May
March
5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 6:45 p.m.
GIRLS
25 30
Mineola @ Floral Park
5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m.
2 5 8 12 27
Mepham @ Plainview MacArthur @ East Meadow @ Division
2:30 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 5:15 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
5
Oyster Bay
5:15 p.m.
April
May
Photos by Neil Miller
22 — April 14, 2022
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