Kennedy Cougars

from Lacrosse Preview 04-14-2022

by Richner Communications, Inc

West Hempstead Rams

KENNEDY

Improving Cougars on the prowl

By BRIAN KACHARABA

Under normal circumstances, a team that starts 8-2 before losing its last three games with an early playoff exit would deem it a disappointing season. But Kennedy boys’ lacrosse coach Craig Papach doesn’t see it that way. Papach viewed his team’s 8-5 record in 2021 as a success considering his squad went 4-10 in the program’s previous full season in 2019. And with several key players returning, that upward trend could very well continue. “It was a positive year,” he said. “We played a pretty young team and it was just a good building block for us. We’re not good yet, but we will be.” The Cougars, though, will need to fi nd some scoring depth beyond senior Max Zaransky (a team-leading 35 tallies last spring), and juniors Joseph Battaglia (20) and Liam Schillinger (17). Only two other returning players, JV callups Raymond Torchia and Nick Giannaris, scored with a goal apiece. Junior Dylan Estrin and sophomore Dylan Cutler will try to fi ll that void on attack. “We don’t have any many year-round [players],” Papach said. “But we have athletic kids that compete. We’re going to out-athlete some teams and we can’t rely on our lacrosse skills because, for most of our guys, they’re still developing that.” Schillinger leads a midfi elder group that could be a big strength of the team.

Senior Caleb Alves can also play attack, sophomore Alex Leiderman can provide assists. Senior Sean Cleary is solid on ground balls and junior

Richie Ippoliti and senior Dylan

Yam are “aggressive and strong athletes,” according to Papach. The revamped defense features seniors Jack

Cohen, Robert Seltzberg and sophomore Finn Lofton. Benjamin Greco had a strong year in goal with 139 saves, including 20 in a 7-3 win over Elmont on May 20. Papach said that Greco was “probably the best goaltender I’ve ever coached,” because of his lacrosse IQ and leadership skills.

Ben Greco

considering his squad went 4-10 in the program’s previous full season in 2019. And with several key play “It was a positive year,” he said. “We played a pretty young team and it was just a good building block for us. We’re not good yet, The Cougars, though, will need to fi nd some scoring depth beyond senior Max Zaransky (a team-leading 35 tallies last spring), and juniors Joseph Battaglia (20) and Liam Schillinger (17). Only two other returning players, JV callups Raymond Torchia and Nick Giannaris, scored with a goal apiece. Junior Dylan Estrin and sophomore Dylan Cutler will try to fi ll that void on attack. “We don’t have any many year-round [players],” Papach said. “But we have athletic kids that compete. We’re going to out-athlete some teams and we can’t rely on our lacrosse skills because, for most of our guys, they’re still developing that.” Schillinger leads a midfi elder group that could be a big strength of the team.

Senior Caleb Alves can also play attack, sophomore Alex Leiderman can provide assists. Senior Sean Cleary is solid on ground balls and junior

Richie Ippoliti and senior Dylan

Yam are “aggressive and strong athletes,” according to Papach. The revamped defense features seniors Jack

Kennedy on rise after fi rst title after fi rst title

The girls’ team reached a major milestone last spring by claiming their fi rst conference title in program history. But the achievement proved to be a tad bittersweet after the Cougars had an 11-game winning streak snapped with a 17-5 loss to Calhoun in the fi rst round of the playoffs. Winning the division again will be a challenge with the team moving up to Conference IV, but coach Mallory Freely said her girls are up to the task. “I’m excited,” she said. “We have a very good chance of going far.” The Cougars averaged over 11 goals a game in 2021 and that number could grow even higher with all three 30-goal scorers from last season returning. Ella Galjanich (36 goals) impressed as a freshman and junior Kate O’Halloran (37) had three fi ve-goal efforts. Senior Sarah Klein scored 31 times and freshman Lauren Robinson has the potential to be another threat. “There is way more to come for Ella Galjanich,” Freely said. “I hope that Sarah has a big fi nishing year now that she looks more seasoned and controlled and Katie also will be giving her best stuff. We expect big things out of those four.” Jill O’Halloran (18 points), and Caroline Scali and Kaylee Ayers (9 points apiece) could also provide some scoring depth. Sabrina Negron anchors a strong defensive corps that yielded just over four goals a game during the regular season and also features Faith Gunn, Danielle Farese and Brooke Horowitz. “We have a nice pressure defense,” Freely said. “They’re very athletic girls and just know how to push the offense down and force

major milestone last spring by claiming their fi rst conference title in program history. But the achievement proved to be a tad bittersweet after the Cougars had an 11-game winning streak snapped with a 17-5 loss to Calhoun in the fi rst round of the playoffs. Winning the division again will be a challenge with the team them to the weak side. That them to the weak side. That worked to our advantage last year and we defi nitely made teams uncomfortable.” Adrianna Califano is back in goal following a solid 139-save freshman season. She had 7 double-digit save games and posted a shutout in the conference-clinching win over Mill Neck.