Lynbrook Owls

LYNBROOK

Experienced Owls aim to improve

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The Lynbrook boys’ lacrosse team will fi eld a more experienced lineup than the one that went 4-9 a year ago, but will that translate into more goals? The Owls averaged just over six goals a game in 2021 and fell a tally short in a 7-6 loss to Wheatley/Carle Place in the fi rst round of the Nassau Class C playoffs. Only two players – senior Christian Meszaros and junior Michael Fagan – reached double-digits in goals last spring and both return to the lineup. “We were a little bit inexperienced on offense last year,” coach Bill Leighley said. “We were trying to do different things with what we had, and I think those guys that we got back from last year’s team have a lot more experience so hopefully they

can kick it into gear a little bit.” Meszaros had 24 goals and four hat tricks last year, including a season-high four in a 6-5 win over Oceanside in the regular-season fi nale, while Fagan added 21. Junior Max Dantona had the third-most goals on the team with eight and is poised for a big year by getting “bigger and stronger and faster,” according to Leighley. Defensively, Lynbrook averaged just over 10 goals allowed a game and limited its foes to 10 tallies or less seven times last season. Senior goalie Collin Lung got the bulk of the playing time and Leighley is also bullish on junior Jake Lunati. “Defensively, we’re hoping Bill Leighley said. “We were trying to do different things with what we had, and I think those guys that we got back from last year’s team have a lot more experience so hopefully they to hold it down,” he said. “We’ve got two very good goalies. We’re hoping that they can be very good leaders on the defensive end and limit teams from scoring.” Leighley is also expecting strong seasons from senior midfi elder Tyler Ippolito and his defensive tandem of junior Sean O’Brien and senior Brandon Torres. The Owls face a manageable conference schedule that also features a trip to Manhasset to meet the top-seeded team in the entire county.

Christian Meszaros

to hold it down,” he said. “We’ve got two very good goalies. We’re hoping that they can be very good leaders on the defensive end and limit teams from scoring.” Leighley is also expecting strong seasons from senior midfi elder Tyler Ippolito and his defensive tandem of junior Sean O’Brien and senior Brandon Torres. The Owls face a manageable conference schedule that also features a trip to Manhasset to meet the top-seeded team in the entire county.

Lynbrook looks to keep to keep offense offense cranking cranking

Lynbrook’s girls’ team won 11 games and advanced to the Class C semifi nals in 2021 thanks to a strong offense that had to do a little extra to make up for an inexperienced defense. The Owls

will likely use the same formula in hopes of getting deep into the playoffs again this season despite losing several key players to graduation. The offense averaged 14 goals last spring and reached double digits in all 15 games but will have to try to do so without 55-goal scorer Jenna Hendrickson. Steady midfi elder Maggie Bodian, defensive anchor Camilla Bahri and starting goalie Madison Marchetta are also gone, leaving plenty of other holes to fi ll. “We have two of our corner piece scorers coming back, so on the offensive side of the ball we’re looking good,” coach Vin Treto said. “[It will be] a similar formula. We’re going to focus heavily on the defensive side of the ball.” Juniors Mimi Berkowitz (41 goals, 23 assists) and Sara Curley (38-18) will now lead the attack. Berkowitz scored the tiebreaking goal with 51 seconds left to help the Owls win their quarterfi nal match at North Shore, while Curley scored a combined 11 goals in back-to-back close wins over Friends Academy (May 29) and Locust Valley (June 2). “Their chemistry is phenomenal,” Tetro said. “They started every game together last year, so they’re coming back together with that 41 goals and 38 goals on the right said of my attack.” Tetro is looking for midfi elders Caityblu Cavassa, Kaelynn O’Brien and Kyla Nembach to get them the ball. Cavassa had 18 goals and is strong on faceoffs, while O’Brien and Nembach have developed a nice chemistry together. After that, there are concerns. Tetro has yet to determine his starters on defense at press time and senior, but inexperienced, Drue girls’ team won 11 Marchetta will likely get the fi rst games and advanced to the Class crack at replacing her older sister

C semifi nals in 2021 thanks to in goal. a strong offense that had to do a little extra to make up for an inexperienced defense. The Owls will likely use the same formula in hopes of getting deep into the playoffs again this season despite losing several key players to gradu The offense averaged 14 goals last spring and reached double digits in all 15 games but will have to try to do so without 55-goal scorer Jenna Hendrickson. Steady midfi elder Maggie Camilla Bahri and starting goalie Madison Marchetta are also gone, leaving plenty of other holes to fi ll. “We have two of our corner piece scorers coming back, so on the offensive side of the ball we’re looking good,” coach Vin Treto said. “[It will be] a similar formula. We’re going to focus heavily on the defensive side of the ball.” Juniors Mimi Berkowitz (41 goals, 23 assists) and Sara Curley (38-18) will now lead the attack. Berkowitz scored the tiebreaking goal with 51 seconds left to help the Owls win their quarterfi nal

Grace Bodian

Conference Schedules

April BOYS

12 @ Kennedy 4:45 p.m. 22 MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 27 Great Neck South 5:00 p.m.

May

4 @ Jericho 5:30 p.m. 6 Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 11 Carey 4:45 p.m. 13 @ Garden City 5:00 p.m. 17 @ Calhoun 4:45 p.m.

March GIRLS

29 Plainedge 4:45 p.m.

April

1 @ Wantagh 4:45 p.m. 6 @ Manhasset 5:00 p.m. 9 @ Seaford 1:00 p.m. 12 Malv-East Rock. 4:30 p.m. 23 @ Island Trees 10:00 a.m. 27 Bethpage 4:45 p.m.

May

4 Floral Park 7:30 p.m. 7 @ Friends Academy 1:00 p.m. 10 @ C.S. Harbor 5:00 p.m. 13 Locust Valley 5:00 p.m. 18 South Side 4:45 p.m.