2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
KENNEDY Improving Cougars on the prowl By BRIAN KACHARABA
8-5 record in 2021 as a success considering his squad went 4-10 in the program’s previous full season nder normal circumstances, in 2019. And with several key players returning, that upward trend a team that starts 8-2 could very well continue. before losing its last three games with an early playoff exit “It was a positive year,” he said. would deem it a disappointing “We played a pretty young team season. But Kennedy boys’ lacrosse and it was just a good building coach Craig Papach doesn’t see it block for us. We’re not good yet, that way. but we will be.” Papach viewed his team’s The Cougars, though, will need to find some scoring depth beyond senior Max Zaransky (a team-leading 35 tallies last spring), and juniors Joseph Battaglia (20) and Liam Schillinger (17). Only two other returning players, JV callups Raymond Torchia and Nick Giannaris, scored with a goal apiece. Junior Dylan Estrin and sophomore Dylan Cutler will try to fill that void on attack. “We don’t have any many year-round [players],” Papach said. “But we have athletic kids that compete. We’re going to out-athlete some teams and we can’t rely on our lacrosse skills because, for most of our guys, they’re still developing that.” Schillinger leads a midfielder group that could be a big strength of the team. Senior Caleb Alves can also play attack, sophomore Alex Leiderman can provide assists. Senior Sean Cleary is solid on ground balls and junior Richie Ippoliti and senior Dylan Yam are “aggressive and strong athletes,” according to Papach. The revamped defense features seniors Jack Cohen, Robert Seltzberg and sophomore Finn Lofton. Benjamin Greco had a strong year in goal with 139 saves, including 20 in a 7-3 win over Elmont on May 20. Papach said that Greco was “probably the Ben Greco best goaltender I’ve ever coached,” because of his lacrosse IQ and leadership skills.
U
24 — April 14, 2022
Kennedy on rise after first title The girls’ team reached a major milestone last spring by claiming their first conference title in program history. But the achievement proved to be a tad bittersweet after the Cougars had an 11-game winning streak snapped with a 17-5 loss to Calhoun in the first round of the playoffs. Winning the division again will be a challenge with the team moving up to Conference IV, but coach Mallory Freely said her girls are up to the task. “I’m excited,” she said. “We have a very good chance of going far.” The Cougars averaged over 11 goals a game in 2021 and that number could grow even higher with all three 30-goal scorers from last season returning. Ella Galjanich (36 goals) impressed as a freshman and junior Kate O’Halloran (37) had three five-goal efforts. Senior Sarah Klein scored 31 times and freshman Lauren Robinson has the potential to be another threat. “There is way more to come for Ella Galjanich,” Freely said. “I hope that Sarah has a big finishing year now that she looks more seasoned and controlled and Katie also will be giving her best stuff. We expect big things out of those four.” Jill O’Halloran (18 points), and Caroline Scali and Kaylee Ayers (9 points apiece) could also provide some scoring depth. Sabrina Negron anchors a strong defensive corps that yielded just over four goals a game during the regular season and also features Faith Gunn, Danielle Farese and Brooke Horowitz. “We have a nice pressure defense,” Freely said. “They’re very athletic girls and just know how to push the offense down and force
HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE PREVIEW
Sarah Klein
them to the weak side. That worked to our advantage last year and we definitely made teams uncomfortable.” Adrianna Califano is back in goal following a solid 139-save freshman season. She had 7 double-digit save games and posted a shutout in the conference-clinching win over Mill Neck.
Conference Schedules April
BOYS
4 8 12 22 27 30
@ Mepham Baldwin Long Beach Great Neck South @ Elmont @ MacArthur
4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m.
4 10 13 16
Great Neck North @ Roslyn @ Sewanhaka Jericho
5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
May
March
GIRLS
30 31
Jericho @ Wheatley
4 5 9 13 25 28
Roslyn @ New Hyde Park Baldwin @ Island Trees Hicksville @ Carey
3 7
@ Herricks Clarke
April
May
4:45 p.m. 6:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
Photos by Ron Manfredi
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