2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
VALLEY STREAM Playoffs a goal for Valley Stream By TONY BELLISSIMO
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seniors Vincent Balsamo and James Barkoukis are both thirdyear starting defenders who will be counted on to log major minutes along with sophomore Mohammed Daffalla from Central. “Nothing will come easy and we have to play smart,” Antoniou said.
utting the ball in the back of the net wasn’t a problem for Valley Stream District boys’ lacrosse last spring, but keeping opponents from doing the same was the biggest reason it finished 5-10 overall. Coach Matt Antoniou’s Valley Stream on offense doesn’t have as much successful run experience this time around, but Hovering at or near the top he feels it can consistently reach of its conference has become the the scoreboard barring turnovers. norm for Valley Stream’s girls’ He was encouraged by a seasonlacrosse program, which opening 9-6 win over finished first in 2018 and Lawrence that saw five within striking distance different goal scorers. in each of the past two “We’re looking for a seasons. playoff spot and that hasn’t happened here in a long time,” Antoniou said. “COVID really hurt our program. We’ve got 33 kids between the varsity and JV. I’m working hard to get a PAL program off the ground and hopefully it’s going to happen as soon as this year. It’s vital to the success at the high school level.” Senior Aldean Sarmiento (Valley Stream North) is a fourthyear varsity performer who isn’t expected to come off the field. He can play anywhere but will mostly be counted on to make things happen on offense. He had a hat trick in the opener. “If we get an All-County award, he’ll be the one,” Antoniou said. “He’s tough and leads by example.” Colin McAleer, another North senior, had a strong finish last spring and is another key to the attack. North senior Joe G has converted to long pole midfielder and found his niche, the coach said. He’ll spark the transition game along with junior midfielder Robert Munafo (South.) Aldean Sarmiento In the defensive zone, senior goaltender Jack Delcarpine (North) comes off an All-Conference campaign. “He saw a lot of shots and did a great job keeping us in games,” Antoniou said. North
Last year’s squad went 7-2-1, but coach Jessica Ricotta is faced with the task of a roster overhaul after losing 11 to graduation. “Our goal is to maintain our run of finishing in the top three,” she said. “Our numbers are strong. We have 22 on varsity and even more on JV. It’s a young group compared to last season but I think we can have another solid season.” Ricotta said playing on the new turf at Memorial Junior High has made a huge impact for the program. Her team made its debut on the field for the 2019 finale and didn’t lose a home game last spring, winning four and battling Glen Cove to a 10-10 draw. Ricotta is leaning on senior goaltender Layla Santana (Central), junior midfielder Kamryn VanEtten (South) and junior defender Alyssa Farrell (North) to lead the way this spring. Santana is a third-year starter between the pipes whose skills keep improving by the day, the coach said. “Layla can clear the ball beyond midfield and is always looking to better herself,” Ricotta said. VanEtten is the team’s top returning scorer and will handle the majority of draws. She had a hat trick in the opener, a 7-6 win over Malverne/East Rockaway. “She’s a strong and accurate shooter who has taken on a leadership role,” Ricotta said. Farrell is the team’s go-to defender and a strong voice in the back, the coach noted. Seniors Ariana Velez (South), Sierra Harris (South) and Lindsay Guerra (Central) are also key parts of the defense. North juniors Reilly Daly, Olivia Muscatelli and Gabrielle DiCostanzo all scored in the opener and start on attack or in the midfield.
Kamryn VanEtten
Conference Schedules April
BOYS
19 28 30
@ Freeport Plainview @ Hicksville
4 6 11 14 19
East Meadow 4:45 p.m. @ Port Washington 4:45 p.m. Hempstead 4:30 p.m. @ Uniondale 10:00 a.m. Massapequa 4:45 p.m.
May
March
10:30 a.m. 4:45 p.m. 10:00 a.m.
GIRLS
25 30
@ Malv/East Rock. Great Neck North
2 5 8 12 27 29
@ Roosevelt Sewanhaka @ Elmont Hempstead Glen Cove Freeport
2 6
@ West Hempstead 4:45 p.m. @ Great Neck South 4:15 p.m.
April
May
4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:45 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
Photos by Donovan Berthoud
44 — April 14, 2022
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