Seaford Vikings

SEAFORD

Vikings full of experience, talent

By ANDREW COEN

With 17 returning seniors, Seaford boys’ lacrosse is fueled for a breakthrough

season. The Vikings are seeking the program’s fi rst county fi nals appearance in 20 years after falling in the semifi nals last spring to eventual Class C champion Manhasset. “One of the talking points and motivations for us this year is unfi nished business,” said seventhyear Seaford coach Brian Horner. “Getting to the fi nals is something that hasn’t been done in awhile and they consider that unfi nished business and want to check if off the list.” Seaford returns three AllCounty players on offense including senior midfi elder AJ Barone, who tallied 29 goals last year. The versatile Barone will also grab a long pole for man-down defense. Reigning All-County attackman Cameron Connolly is also back after registering 15 goals and 50 assists last season. He was selected as an Under 18 Team USA member last summer and will play on the college level next year at Long Island University. Senior John Raucci earned AllCounty honors as a midfi elder last year and is slated to play attack this spring. James McHugh, a standout running back for Seaford football, was an honorable mention All-County attackman as a junior and will switch to midfi eld for his senior season. Veteran Anthony Munro adds another big scoring weapon off a 24-goal season last year as a junior. Kyle Stark will take the brunt of faceoffs along with Munro. On defense, Seaford returns All-Conference goalie Joe Ulzheimer, who recorded 10 saves in Seaford’s 13-5 quarterfi nal win against North Shore last year. Senior Eric Schiller, an honorable mention All-County honoree, will anchor the close defense along with Jack Murphy and sophomore Jake Anzelone as well as shortstick defensive midfi elder Thomas Kofod. Seaford competes in a challenging Conference C featuring Manhasset, South Side, Bethpage, Wantagh, Lynbrook, North Shore and Plainedge.

versatile Barone will also grab a long pole for man-down defense. Reigning All-County attackman Cameron Connolly is also back after registering 15 goals and 50 assists last season. He was selected as an Under 18 Team USA member last summer and will play on the college Senior John Raucci earned AllCounty honors as a midfi elder last year and is slated to play attack this spring. James McHugh, a standout running back for Seaford football, was an honorable mention All-County attackman as a junior and will switch to midfi eld for his senior season. Veteran Anthony Munro adds another big scoring weapon off a 24-goal season last year as a junior. Kyle Stark will take the brunt of faceoffs along with Munro. On defense, Seaford returns All-Conference goalie Joe

Seaford looks to fl ip close results

Third-year Seaford girls’ coach Jenna Davis will fi nally get to embark on her fi rst full season guiding the Vikings. Davis’ fi rst season in 2020 was canceled due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and last year was limited to a month’s

worth of games starting in early May. Seaford made strides in the abridged season to reach the Class C quarterfi nals, which Davis hopes sets a positive course for this spring with nearly every starter returning. “Out of our six conference losses last season four of them were by one goal and another was by two goals so we were in every game,” said Davis, whose team fi nished 8-6 in Conference II before falling to eventual Class C champion Manhasset in the quarterfi nals, 16-6. “There is defi nitely a lot of potential to place higher and go further.” Senior attacker Alex Leggio, an Adelphi commit, returns as one of the key offensive leaders after an All-County season in which she tallied 35 goals and 28 assists. Fellow senior attacker Emily Montagano gives the Vikings additional of the COVID-19 pandemic and scoring experience close to the net. last year was limited to a month’s Sophomore midfi elders Danielle McHugh and Amanda Williamson are looking for further strides this spring after big freshman seasons. Junior Amanda Ettinger, a two-way midfi elder committed to Binghamton, provides additional scoring punch after a 28-goal 2021 campaign. The defense is anchored largely by senior Emma Williamson, who is one of three captains along with Montagano and Leggio. Sophomore Daniella Stek along with twin sisters Brooke and Parker Surace are also integral parts of the defensive unit. Senior goalie Maddy Catalanotti gives Seaford a veteran presence in net. Junior Nicole Nietsch also may see some time in net after starting on junior varsity as a sophomore. Seaford competes in a challenging Conference II which also features Bethpage, Locust Valley, Friends Academy, Lynbrook and newcomer Farmingdale.

Cameron Connolly

worth of games starting in early May. Seaford made strides in the abridged season to reach the Class C quarterfi nals, which Davis hopes sets a positive course for this spring with nearly every starter “Out of our six conference losses last season four of them were by one goal and another was by two goals so we were in every game,” said Davis, whose team fi nished 8-6 in Conference II before falling to eventual Class C champion Manhasset in the quarterfi nals, 16-6. “There is defi nitely a lot of potential to place higher Senior attacker Alex Leggio, an Adelphi commit, returns as one of the key offensive leaders after an All-County season in which she tallied 35 goals and 28 assists. Fellow senior attacker Emily Montagano gives the Vikings additional scoring experience close to the net. Sophomore midfi elders Danielle McHugh and Amanda Williamson are looking for further strides this spring after big freshman seasons. Junior Amanda Ettinger, a two-way midfi elder committed to Binghamton, provides additional scoring punch after a 28-goal 2021 campaign. The defense is anchored largely by senior Emma Williamson, who is one of three

Daniella Stek along with twin sisters Brooke and Parker Surace are also integral parts of the defensive unit. Senior goalie Maddy Catalanotti gives Seaford a veteran presence in net. Junior Nicole Nietsch also may see some time in net after starting on junior varsity as a sophomore. Seaford competes in a challenging Conference II which also features Bethpage, Locust Valley, Friends Academy, Lynbrook and newcomer Farmingdale.

Alex Leggio

Conference Schedules Schedules

April BOYS

6 @ Floral Park 4:45 p.m. 9 Lynbrook 1:00 p.m. 23 Friends Academy 4:00 p.m. 27 C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 29 Malv/East Rock. 5:00 p.m.

May

4 @ Wantagh 4:45 p.m. 6 @ Island Trees 5:00 p.m. 10 South Side 4:30 p.m. 13 @ Bethpage 7:00 p.m. 18 @ Manhasset 6:00 p.m.

March GIRLS

26 @ Lynbrook 10:00 a.m. 29 Locust Valley 5:00 p.m.

April

6 @ Calhoun 4:45 p.m. 11 Carle Place 4:30 p.m. 26 @ Oceanside 4:45 p.m. 28 Farmingdale 5:00 p.m.

May

2 @ Port Washington 6:45 p.m. 4 Bethpage 4:30 p.m.