2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
MALV/EAST ROCK Rockin’ Mules aim for playoffs By DAVID WEINGRAD
T
here’s plenty of reasons why coach Andrew Biscardi is confident his team could make the postseason out of Conference C for the first time in program history. It starts with his talented senior goalie, Aidan Green, who is not only adept at keeping balls out of the net but at igniting the offense with his transition passes. “His outlet passes are always on the money,” said Biscardi, adding that Green will be the netminder at Adelphi in the fall. “When he makes a save, the first thing he does is look upfield.” The ball will often end up in the webbing of senior attackman Joe Lazazzaro, who Biscardi said is often the initiator of scoring opportunities, possessing a keen sense when to make the pass or take it himself. Senior midfielder Liam O’Neill is a pesky presence who makes it difficult for opponents to start their offense. “Playing one-on-one defense, he doesn’t really get beaten often,” his coach said. Also in the midfield, Biscardi praised junior Robert Staubitz, who racked up six goals and 18 assists a season ago, and sophomore Jaden Taylor, a top faceoff specialist. And senior Rajinda Ramnouth will bring his solid fundamental play and experience to lead the defensive unit. A potential breakout player is eighth grader Christian Atwell, who upfront has shown a nice chemistry with Lazazzaro on the attack. While not historically a powerhouse lacrosse program, Biscardi said what has excited him the most is the feedback he’s received from oppos-
ing coaches and even referees on their vast improvement. “We’ve been grooming these players the last few years,” he said. “A lot of people hear the Malverne/East Rockaway program and they think of the old days. When these guys play to their potential, it’s like seeing a top team play.”
Among those whose game has elevated recently is junior Sarah Boubert, a vocal leader in the midfield whose spirited play often motivates her teammates. Sophomore Emma Poland, a twoway star on the East Rockaway basketball team, shifted from defense to midfield last year and has become an offensive weapon with her passing skills Steady progress and toughness on draws. for Malverne/ On defense, sophomore East Rockaway Isabella Alvarez has become a ground ball specialist who transiCasey Capece is entering tions the ball well to the offense, just her third year as Malverne/ even creeping upfield to join in the East Rockaway’s girls’ coach but attack. is already gushing about the Junior Aliyah Reshard has progress her team has made in just impressed Capece with her steady two seasons. improvement as goalie since she “I’ve never seen growth initially entered the program with happen so fast the way this team plenty of talent but raw fundamengelled last season,” said Capece, tals. Now, Capece said, “She’s so adding that many of the girls stealthy where you think she’s not entered the program at an introgoing to make a save, and then ductory level and are already abshe’ll just snatch it. She’s a quiet sorbing highly strategic concepts. hard worker.” “They’re extremely intelligent. Two breakout candidates They’ve retained so much that has are eighth grader MaKayla Boubert translated on the field.” and seventh grader Makaela Brennan, both athletic and skilled players who Capece said should receive a boost gaining experience with older competition. The coach said her team’s strength is their drive and persistence, plus their desire to improve. Continued progress is what she’s most excited for this season. “To see the team at the start of last season to the end, it was like two different teams,” said Capece. “I get chills thinking about it and I’m thrilled to pick up where we left off.”
Aidan Green
Sarah Boubert
Conference Schedules March 29 31
BOYS
Hewlett @ Mineola
5:15 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
April 9 12 19 23 29
@ Friends Academy 10:00 a.m. @ Lynbrook 5:00 p.m. @ West Hempstead 10:00 a.m. Clarke 10:00 a.m. @ Seaford 5:00 p.m.
4 7 10 13 18
Oyster Bay South Side @ Locust Valley Island Trees Floral Park
May
March
5:15 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
GIRLS
25 30
Valley Stream @ Glen Cove
4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
2 5 7 12 14 29
Freeport @ West Hempstead Great Neck North @ Great Neck South @ Sewanhaka @ Hempstead
4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
2 6
Roosevelt Elmont
4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
April
May
Photos by Keith O’Reilly
32 — April 14, 2022
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