Hewlett Bulldogs

HEWLETT

Bulldogs energized for fresh start

By TONY BELLISSIMO

The Bulldogs are eager to turn the page on last spring when they failed to taste victory in a 13-game campaign that featured a couple of one-goal defeats and a two-goal loss. “We were young and it was rough and discouraging,” coach Dale Pescitelli said. “Everyone is excited for a fresh start. We’re putting a new defense together and it’s going to take time to jell, but I think we’ll be able to surprise some teams.” Hewlett, seeded 14th out of 22 Class C schools, will rely on fi ve starters on the offensive side of the fi eld to lead the way. Senior midfi elder Mark Winkler spearheads the effort, Pescitelli said. The three-sport athlete has played varsity lacrosse since his freshman year and earned All-County honors in 2021 when he had 46 points. “Our offense should put up points and Mark will be a major part of it,” Pescitelli said. Junior Max Mariasch, who is moving from attack to midfi eld, tied Winkler’s point production and earned Honorable Mention AllCounty. “Max is a playmaker with quick bursts who put a lot of work in during the offseason,” Pescitelli said. Sophomore Luke Rochler is an offensive-minded midfi elder who’s expected to take a portion of the draws. Up front, juniors Ryan Goodman and Johnny Cusumano will be counted on to lead the attack. Goodman was last year’s “Bulldog Award” winner for his spirited and hard-nosed play. Senior Carmelo Curra is the lone starting defender back in the fold and he’ll rarely come off the fi eld, Pescitelli said. He’s joined by senior Ryan Player, who switches from midfi eld, and junior Matteo Preziosi, who’s up from JV. The last line of defense is senior goaltender Daniel Reznikov, who is expected to benefi t from last year’s experience. “Everyone has to give 100 percent all of the time for us to be successful,” Pescitelli said.

The three-sport athlete has played varsity lacrosse since his freshman year and earned All-County honors in 2021 when he had 46 points. “Our offense should put up points and Mark will be a major part of it,” Junior Max Mariasch, who is moving from attack to midfi eld, tied Winkler’s point production and earned Honorable Mention AllCounty. “Max is a playmaker with quick bursts who put a lot of work in during the offseason,” Pescitelli said. Sophomore Luke Rochler is an offensive-minded midfi elder who’s expected to take a portion of the draws. Up front, juniors Ryan Goodman and Johnny Cusumano will be counted on to lead the attack. Goodman was last year’s “Bulldog Award” winner for his spirited and hard-nosed play. Senior Carmelo Curra is the lone starting defender back in the fold and he’ll rarely come off the fi eld, Pescitelli said. He’s joined by

Hewlett must replace bulk of offense

Replacing more than 80 percent of last year’s scoring production is the biggest concern for Hewlett coach Jackie Hughes, who guided the Bulldogs to 10 wins and a spot in the Nassau Class B playoffs last spring. “We lost four incredible seniors who did so much for us, but we return a lot of younger kids who played every minute of every

game and experienced the speed of the varsity level,” Hughes said. “We have some excellent young talent and just need to fi nd out where the production is going to come from.” Hewlett’s program is on the rise in terms of numbers and is fi elding a JV squad for the fi rst time in four years. The Bulldogs are also in Class C after a slight drop in school enrollment. “The road to the playoffs is going to be a little bit tougher,” Hughes said. A fi xture between the goalposts since 2019, junior Ava Giugliano has played every minute of every game since joining the varsity ranks. “Having a quality goalie like Ava is a game-changer,” but we return a lot of younger kids Hughes said. “She’s fundamenwho played every minute of every tally sound and has become more vocal. She keeps us competitive in every game.” The defense in front of Giugliano will have a new look with sophomores Kate Epstein and Olivia Bellin moving from the back line to midfi eld where their speed and improved stick skills will be on display. Junior Dalilah Doncell and sophomore Tella Tutino and bring speed and athleticism to the defensive end, and junior Emily Goldenberg has experience in the back zone. A pair of sister tandems will be counted on to get the offense into gear and spend time in the midfi eld and attack. Lightningquick sophomore twins Marcie and Catie Iannico are three-sport varsity athletes, and freshman Krista Lee and eighth-grader Claudia Lee played throughout the offseason and bring impressive skill sets and high lacrosse IQs, Hughes noted. Junior Jordan Billharz is another contributing attacker.

Mark Winkler

game and experienced the speed of the varsity level,” Hughes said. “We have some excellent young talent and just need to fi nd out where the production is going to come from.” Hewlett’s program is on the rise in terms fi elding a JV squad for goalposts since 2019, junior Ava Giugliano has played every minute of every game since joining the varsity ranks. “Having a quality goalie like Ava is a game-changer,” Hughes said. “She’s fundamentally sound and has become more vocal. She keeps us competitive in every game.” The defense in front of Giugliano will have a new look with sophomores Kate Epstein and Olivia Bellin moving from the back line to midfi eld where their speed and improved stick skills will be on display. Junior Dalilah Doncell and sophomore Tella Tutino and bring speed and athleticism to the defensive end, and junior Emily Goldenberg has experience in the back zone. A pair of sister tandems will be counted on to get the offense into gear and spend time in the midfi eld and attack. Lightningquick sophomore twins Marcie and Catie Iannico are three-sport varsity athletes, and freshman Krista Lee and eighth-grader Claudia Lee played throughout the offseason and bring impressive skill sets and high lacrosse IQs, Hughes noted. Junior Jordan Billharz is another contributing attacker.

Ava Giugliano

Conference Schedules

March BOYS

29 @ Malv/East Rock 5:15 p.m.

April

1 Friends Academy 5:15 p.m. 6 @ West Hempstead 5:15 p.m. 9 North Shore 10:00 a.m. 23 @ Bethpage 11:00 a.m. 25 Oyster Bay 6:00 p.m. 29 Wantagh 5:15 p.m.

May

4 Lawrence 5:15 p.m. 6 @ Plainedge 5:15 p.m. 10 Wheatley 5:15 p.m. 13 Division 5:15 p.m. 16 @ Mineola 6:45 p.m.

March GIRLS

25 Mineola 5:15 p.m. 30 @ Floral Park 5:15 p.m.

April

2 Mepham 2:30 p.m. 5 @ Plainview 5:15 p.m. 8 MacArthur 5:15 p.m. 12 @ East Meadow 5:15 p.m. 27 @ Division 7:00 p.m.

May

5 Oyster Bay 5:15 p.m.