Freeport Red Devils

FREEPORT

Red Devils looking to surprise

By ANDREW COEN

Freeport boys’ lacrosse is motivated to exceed expectations this year in a challenging league. The Red Devils were picked 11th of 12 teams in Conference A, but with 11 returning players 48th-year coach Harry Mohrman sees potential for his team to make strides this spring with a more normal season on tap. Freeport was limited to just 10 games last spring in an abridged season, which Mohrman said was hampered by a lack of player development when then there was no 2020 schedule due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think we can be very, very competitive in the league,” Mohrman said. “If you start winning games then the expectations become higher.” Senior attackman Justin Reinke will be an integral part of Freeport’s offense as a third-year varsity player. Reinke tallied three points in a 17-10 loss to Sewanhaka last year. Versatile junior Matt Drayton also gives Freeport experience on offense. He scored three goals and tallied one assist in a 10-6 loss to Elmont last year where the Red Devils led 5-4 at halftime. On defense, Freeport returns senior goalie Javien Drapeau, who Mohman said has shown promise in the offseason to improve on his junior campaign. Junior Isaiah Curtis anchors the close defense. Mohrman said many positions are up in the air heading into the season. In addition to his key offensive role, Reinke may also take faceoffs along with senior Damani Arisitlde. With a number of football players on his roster who have athletic skills and toughness, Mohrman is looking to adopt an aggressive style of defense that can lead to transition opportunities on offense. “I like to set up unsettled situations,” Mohrman said. “We like to pressure and use our speed.” Freeport opens the season with six straight non-league games before hosting Valley Stream District in its conference opener on April 19.

due to the onset of the COVID-19 “I think we can be very, very competitive in the league,” Mohrman said. “If you start winning games then the expectations become higher.” Senior attackman Justin Reinke will be an integral part of Freeport’s offense as a third-year varsity player. Reinke tallied three points in a 17-10 loss to Sewan Versatile junior Matt Drayton also gives Freeport experience on offense. He scored three goals and tallied one assist in a 10-6 loss to Elmont last year where the Red Devils led 5-4 at halftime. On defense, Freeport returns senior goalie Javien Drapeau, who Mohman said has shown promise in the offseason to improve on his junior campaign. Junior Isaiah Curtis anchors the Mohrman said many positions are up in the air heading into the season. In addition to his key offensive role, Reinke may also take faceoffs along with senior Damani Arisitlde. With a number of football players on his roster who have athletic skills and toughness,

Seniors lead Freeport’s charge

After nearly capturing a league title a playoff berth during an abridged 2021 season, the

Freeport girls are determined to Freeport girls are determined to take that next step this spring, take that next step this spring, The Red Devils return 12 seniors from last year’s team that seniors from last year’s team that fi nished 10-2 in Conference V. fi nished 10-2 in Conference V. Fourth-year head coach Anabel Fourth-year head coach Anabel Lopez, a former Freeport player, has Lopez, a former Freeport player, has built strides since taking over the built strides since taking over the program in 2018 after a winless program in 2018 after a winless 2017 season and is hoping to 2017 season and is hoping to return her alma mater to the postreturn her alma mater to the postseason for the fi rst time in a decade. season for the fi rst time in a decade. “Unfortunately with Confer “Unfortunately with Conference V if you don’t win the conference V if you don’t win the conference that’s it,” said Lopez, who ence that’s it,” said Lopez, who played lacrosse at Freeport from played lacrosse at Freeport from 2004 to 2008. “In Conference V 2004 to 2008. “In Conference V there is no playoffs for second place, there is no playoffs for second place, an abridged 2021 season, the only fi rst and that is our goal this only fi rst and that is our goal this year.” year.” Freeport brings back a veteran Freeport brings back a veteran defense that held Conference IV defense that held Conference IV foe Bellmore JFK to just two fi rst foe Bellmore JFK to just two fi rst half goals in a season-opening 5-3 half goals in a season-opening 5-3 loss on March 23. The close defense loss on March 23. The close defense features three senior starters in features three senior starters in Kayla Stuparich, Sameerah Lawal Kayla Stuparich, Sameerah Lawal and Makhenzie Jinks. and Makhenzie Jinks. Senior goalie Jasmine LaRocca Senior goalie Jasmine LaRocca is out early this season due to is out early this season due to medical reasons, but should return medical reasons, but should return later in the season after starting last later in the season after starting last year. Sophomore Madeline Willocks year. Sophomore Madeline Willocks is fi lling in for LaRocca early in the is fi lling in for LaRocca early in the 2022 campaign and recorded 14 2022 campaign and recorded 14 saves in the season-opener against saves in the season-opener against JFK. JFK. Lopez graduated some key Lopez graduated some key offensive players, but returns senior offensive players, but returns senior midfi elder Ancksu Dixon, who midfi elder Ancksu Dixon, who posted a team-high 34 goals last posted a team-high 34 goals last season. Junior Isabella Willocks and season. Junior Isabella Willocks and Cassie Smith are also back after talCassie Smith are also back after tallying 31 and 19 goals, respectively, lying 31 and 19 goals, respectively, last year. last year. The offensive trio was also The offensive trio was also a force on the draw control circle. a force on the draw control circle. Dixon led Freeport in draw controls Dixon led Freeport in draw controls with 51 followed by Smith with 34 with 51 followed by Smith with 34 and Willocks with 22. and Willocks with 22. Freeport will compete in Freeport will compete in Conference V for the league’s top Conference V for the league’s top Justin Reinke spot against Valley Stream District, spot against Valley Stream District, Malverne, Great Neck North, Malverne, Great Neck North, Sewanhaka, Elmont and West Sewanhaka, Elmont and West Hempstead. Hempstead.

Cassie Smith

Conference Schedules

April BOYS

19 Valley Stream 10:30 a.m. 27 Syosset 5:00 p.m. 30 @ Oceanside 10:00 a.m.

May

3 @ Hempstead 4:30 p.m. 6 @ Plainview 4:30 p.m. 11 @ Hicksville 4:30 p.m. 14 East Meadow 10:00 a.m. 19 Uniondale 4:45 p.m.

March GIRLS

25 @ Great Neck South 4:45 p.m.

April

2 @ Malv/East Rock 10:00 a.m. 5 Great Neck North 5:00 p.m. 8 @ Roosevelt 4:45 p.m. 12 Sewanhaka 5:00 p.m. 14 @ Elmont 4:30 p.m. 26 Hempstead 4:30 p.m. 29 @ Valley Stream 4:30 p.m.

May

2 Glen Cove 4:30 p.m. 6 West Hempstead 5:00 p.m.