Malv/East Rock Rockin’ Mules

MALV/EAST ROCK

Rockin’ Mules aim for playoffs

By DAVID WEINGRAD

There’s plenty of reasons why coach Andrew Biscardi is confi dent his team could make the postseason out of Conference C for the fi rst time in program history. It starts with his talented senior goalie, Aidan Green, who is not only adept at keeping balls out of the net but at igniting the offense with his transition passes. “His outlet passes are always on the money,” said Biscardi, adding that Green will be the netminder at Adelphi in the fall. “When he makes a save, the fi rst thing he does is look upfi eld.” The ball will often end up in the webbing of senior attackman Joe Lazazzaro, who Biscardi said is often the initiator of scoring opportunities, possessing a keen sense when to make the pass or take it himself. Senior midfi elder Liam O’Neill is a pesky presence who makes it diffi cult for opponents to start their offense. “Playing one-on-one defense, he doesn’t really get beaten often,” his coach said. Also in the midfi eld, Biscardi praised junior Robert Staubitz, who racked up six goals and 18 assists a season ago, and sophomore Jaden Taylor, a top faceoff specialist. And senior Rajinda Ramnouth will bring his solid fundamental play and experience to lead the defensive unit. A potential breakout player is eighth grader Christian Atwell, who upfront has shown a nice chemistry with Lazazzaro on the attack. While not historically a powerhouse lacrosse program, Biscardi said what has excited him the most is the feedback he’s received from opposing coaches and even referees on their vast improvement. “We’ve been grooming these players the last few years,” he said. “A lot of people hear the Malverne/East Rockaway program and they think of the old days. When these guys play to their potential, it’s like seeing a top team play.”

makes it diffi cult for opponents to start their offense. “Playing assists a season ago, and sophomore Jaden Taylor, a top faceoff specialist. And senior Rajinda Ramnouth will bring his solid fundamental play and experience to lead the defensive unit. A potential breakout player is eighth grader Christian Atwell, who upfront has shown a nice chemistry with Lazazzaro on the While not historically a powerhouse lacrosse program, Biscardi said what has excited him the most is the feedback he’s received from oppos-

Steady progress for Malverne/ East Rockaway

Casey Capece is entering just her third year as Malverne/ East Rockaway’s girls’ coach but is already gushing about the progress her team has made in just two seasons. “I’ve never seen growth happen so fast the way this team gelled last season,” said Capece, adding that many of the girls entered the program at an introductory level and are already absorbing highly strategic concepts. “They’re extremely intelligent. They’ve retained so much that has translated on the fi eld.”

Among those whose game has Among those whose game has elevated recently is junior Sarah elevated recently is junior Sarah Boubert, a vocal leader in the midfi eld whose spirited play often motivates her teammates. often motivates her teammates. Sophomore Emma Poland, a twoSophomore Emma Poland, a twoway star on the East Rockaway way star on the East Rockaway basketball team, shifted from defense to midfi eld last year and has become an offensive weapon with her passing skills weapon with her passing skills and toughness on draws. On defense, sophomore On defense, sophomore Isabella Alvarez has become a Isabella Alvarez has become a ground ball specialist who transiground ball specialist who transitions the ball well to the offense, tions the ball well to the offense, even creeping upfi eld to join in the even creeping upfi eld to join in the attack. Junior Aliyah Reshard has Junior Aliyah Reshard has impressed Capece with her steady impressed Capece with her steady improvement as goalie since she improvement as goalie since she initially entered the program with initially entered the program with plenty of talent but raw fundamenplenty of talent but raw fundamentals. Now, Capece said, “She’s so tals. Now, Capece said, “She’s so stealthy where you think she’s not stealthy where you think she’s not going to make a save, and then going to make a save, and then she’ll just snatch it. She’s a quiet she’ll just snatch it. She’s a quiet hard worker.” They’ve retained so much that has Two breakout candidates translated on the fi eld.” are eighth grader MaKayla Boubert are eighth grader MaKayla Boubert and seventh grader Makaela and seventh grader Makaela Brennan, both athletic and skilled Brennan, both athletic and skilled players who Capece said should players who Capece said should receive a boost gaining experience receive a boost gaining experience with older competition. with older competition. The coach said her team’s The coach said her team’s strength is their drive and perstrength is their drive and persistence, plus their desire to sistence, plus their desire to improve. Continued progress improve. Continued progress is what she’s most excited is what she’s most excited for this season. “To see the for this season. “To see the team at the start of last team at the start of last season to the end, it was season to the end, it was like two different teams,” like two different teams,” said Capece. “I get chills said Capece. “I get chills thinking about it and thinking about it and I’m thrilled to pick up I’m thrilled to pick up where we left off.” where we left off.”

Sarah Boubert

Conference Schedules

March BOYS

29 Hewlett 5:15 p.m. 31 @ Mineola 5:00 p.m.

April

9 @ Friends Academy 10:00 a.m. 12 @ Lynbrook 5:00 p.m. 19 @ West Hempstead 10:00 a.m. 23 Clarke 10:00 a.m. 29 @ Seaford 5:00 p.m.

May

4 Oyster Bay 5:15 p.m. 7 South Side 10:00 a.m. 10 @ Locust Valley 5:00 p.m. 1 3 Island Trees 5:00 p.m. 18 Floral Park 4:45 p.m.

March GIRLS

25 Valley Stream 4:30 p.m. 30 @ Glen Cove 5:00 p.m.

April

Aidan Green

2 Freeport 4:45 p.m. 5 @ West Hempstead 4:45 p.m. 7 Great Neck North 4:30 p.m. 12 @ Great Neck South 5:00 p.m. 14 @ Sewanhaka 4:45 p.m. 29 @ Hempstead 4:30 p.m.

May

2 Roosevelt 4:45 p.m. 6 Elmont 5:00 p.m.