2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
SEWANHAKA Indians rebuild after 13 departures By BRIAN KACHARABA
T
here weren’t many teams that got hit harder with graduation than the Sewanhaka boys’ lacrosse program. The Indians lost 13 senior starters from last year’s 7-7 team that accounted for 98 of their 109 goals, including 55 from star midfielder Nicholas O’Shea. There are only four seniors on this year’s roster, so this season will be more about enduring growing pains and developing the underclassmen for the 2023 season rather than wins and losses. “We just have to learn lacrosse IQ, that’s the big thing,” coach Mike Sakowich said. “Our lacrosse knowledge has to increase and it’s going to come through experience.” Sebastian Horta had eight goals and 14 points during his junior season and will be depended on to do the heavy lifting offensively and on faceoffs this season. He heads a solid middie corps that also includes juniors Steiger Devil and Brian Rivera, speedy Garvey Dorestan, and fellow sophomore Lovell Cannon, who will be working more on the defensive end. “He’s pretty much our go-to guy,” Sakowich said of Horta. “A lot of the offense runs through him. He works his tail off every day, he’s a good leader [and] he’s trying to get on the guys to keep them positive.” Versatile junior Jason Rocha had a pair of goals and an assist last year and is poised to increase those numbers playing both middie and attack and Sakowich said senior newcomer Simon Papavangjeli is quickly developing his game as a defensive middie. Senior Paul Caputo leads the back end with his strong stick skills and is usually assigned the other 40 — April 14, 2022
team’s best player. Niles Teekasingh is healthy again and can also be used as a defensive middie or on the back end. Junior Jalen Brown had a taste of the varsity level last year as the backup goalkeeper and inherited the starting spot this spring.
Back to basics for Sewanhaka Wins have been few and far between for the Sewanhaka girls’ team in recent years – it only had one in each of the last three seasons – and that number may not grow much higher because of inexperience and losing its top two scorers and starting goaltender from 2021 to graduation. This will be another developmental season for the Indians, but the current lineup could be more consistent in the coming
years with only one senior on the roster. For coach Erica Brennan, it’s now a matter of teaching her young and green team the basics. “It seems like it’s always like that for Sewanhaka,” she said. “But, however this year, a majority of the players who came out never played lacrosse before. Most of them are ninth and tenth graders, and it’s the first year for the ninth graders picking up a stick.” But there is still plenty of talent. Speedy Stephanie Aguilar could again find herself on the scoresheet often due to her nose for the net, Olivia Nehaus plays an aggressive style and is strong on faceoffs and fellow sophomore Mariah Wolfe is also an offensive threat because of her stick skills and ball handing ability. Freshman Gabriella Dawson also provides depth up front. Brennan is also high on the Grant sisters, junior Kyla and freshman Janiya, who both picked up lacrosse last year and immediately grew into solid defenders. She lauded them for their hustle and willingness to help them team any way they can. “They’re outstanding young ladies in my opinion,” Brennan said. “They really give it their all on the field. They want to be middies and go up and down the field.” The lone senior, Trinity Mitchell, provides experience on defense and sophomore Serenity Walrond is expected to receive more playing time on the back end. Juniors Rachaely Reyes and Margie Sulfrano are both in the mix for the goaltender job.
Sebastian Horta
Trinity Mitchell
Conference Schedules BOYS
April 13 22 27 30
Great Neck North Elmont @ Roslyn Jericho
5:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
3 6 11 13
@ Great Neck South @ New Hyde Park @ Glen Cove Kennedy
4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
May
March
GIRLS
25 30
Glen Cove @ Elmont
2 5 8 12 14 27 29
West Hempstead @ Valley Stream Great Neck South @ Freeport Malv/East Rock @ Great Neck North @ Roosevelt
6
Hempstead
April
May
5:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
Photos by Eric Dunetz
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