Valley Stream District

VALLEY STREAM

Playoffs a goal for Valley Stream

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Putting the ball in the back of the net wasn’t a problem for Valley Stream District boys’ lacrosse last spring, but keeping opponents from doing the same was the biggest reason it fi nished 5-10 overall. Coach Matt Antoniou’s offense doesn’t have as much experience this time around, but he feels it can consistently reach the scoreboard barring turnovers. He was encouraged by a seasonopening 9-6 win over Lawrence that saw fi ve different goal scorers. “We’re looking for a playoff spot and that hasn’t happened here in a long time,” Antoniou said. “COVID really hurt our program. We’ve got 33 kids between the varsity and JV. I’m working hard to get a PAL program off the ground and hopefully it’s going to happen as soon as this year. It’s vital to the success at the high school level.” Senior Aldean Sarmiento (Valley Stream North) is a fourthyear varsity performer who isn’t expected to come off the fi eld. He can play anywhere but will mostly be counted on to make things happen on offense. He had a hat trick in the opener. “If we get an All-County award, he’ll be the one,” Antoniou said. “He’s tough and leads by example.” Colin McAleer, another North senior, had a strong fi nish last spring and is another key to the attack. North senior Joe G has converted to long pole midfi elder and found his niche, the coach said. He’ll spark the transition game along with junior midfi elder Robert Munafo (South.) In the defensive zone, senior goaltender Jack Delcarpine (North) comes off an All-Conference campaign. “He saw a lot of shots and did a great job keeping us in games,” Antoniou said. North seniors Vincent Balsamo and James Barkoukis are both thirdyear starting defenders who will be counted on to log major minutes along with sophomore Mohammed Daffalla from Central. “Nothing will come easy and we have to play smart,” Antoniou said.

happened here in a long time,” Antoniou said. “COVID really hurt our program. We’ve got 33 kids between the varsity and JV. I’m working hard to get a PAL program off the ground and hopefully it’s going to happen as soon as this year. It’s vital to the success at the Senior Aldean Sarmiento (Valley Stream North) is a fourthyear varsity performer who isn’t expected to come off the fi eld. He can play anywhere but will mostly be counted on to make things happen on offense. He had a hat trick in the opener. “If we get an All-County award, he’ll be the one,” Antoniou said. “He’s tough Colin McAleer, another North senior, had a strong fi nish last spring and is another key to the attack. North senior Joe G has converted to long pole midfi elder and found his niche, the coach said. He’ll spark the transition game along with junior midfi elder In the defensive zone, senior goaltender Jack Delcarpine (North) campaign. “He saw a lot of shots and did a great job keeping us in games,” Antoniou said. North

Valley Stream on successful run

Hovering at or near the top of its conference has become the norm for Valley Stream’s girls’ lacrosse program, which fi nished fi rst in 2018 and within striking distance in each of the past two seasons.

Last year’s squad went 7-2-1, but coach Jessica Ricotta is faced with the task of a roster overhaul after losing 11 to graduation. “Our goal is to maintain our run of fi nishing in the top three,” she said. “Our numbers are strong. We have 22 on varsity and even more on JV. It’s a young group compared to last season but I think we can have another solid season.” Ricotta said playing on the new turf at Memorial Junior High has made a huge impact for the program. Her team made its debut on the fi eld for the 2019 fi nale lacrosse program, which and didn’t lose a home game last fi nished fi rst in 2018 and spring, winning four and battling within striking distance Glen Cove to a 10-10 draw. in each of the past two Ricotta is leaning on senior seasons. goaltender Layla Santana (Central), junior midfi elder Kamryn VanEtten (South) and junior defender Alyssa Farrell (North) to lead the way this spring. Santana is a third-year starter between the pipes whose skills keep improving by the day, the coach said. “Layla can clear the ball beyond midfi eld and is always looking to better herself,” Ricotta said. VanEtten is the team’s top returning scorer and will handle the majority of draws. She had a hat trick in the opener, a 7-6 win over Malverne/East Rockaway. “She’s a strong and accurate shooter who has taken on a leadership role,” Ricotta said. Farrell is the team’s go-to defender and a strong voice in the back, the coach noted. Seniors Ariana Velez (South), Sierra Harris (South) and Lindsay Guerra (Central) are also key parts of the defense. North juniors Reilly Daly, Olivia Muscatelli and Gabrielle DiCostanzo all scored in the opener and start on attack or in the midfi eld.

Aldean Sarmiento

and didn’t lose a home game last spring, winning four and battling Glen Cove to a 10-10 draw. Ricotta is leaning on senior goaltender Layla Santana (Central), junior midfi elder Kamryn VanEtten (South) and junior defender Alyssa Farrell (North) to lead the way this spring. Santana is a third-year starter between the pipes whose skills keep improving by the day, the coach said. “Layla can clear the ball beyond midfi eld and is always looking to better herself,”

Ricotta said. VanEtten is the team’s top returning scorer and will handle the majority of draws. She had a hat trick in the opener, a 7-6 win over Malverne/East Rockaway. “She’s a strong and accurate shooter who has taken on a leadership role,” Ricotta said. Farrell is the team’s go-to defender and a strong voice in the back, the coach noted. Seniors Ariana Velez (South), Sierra Harris (South) and Lindsay Guerra (Central) are also key parts of the defense. North juniors Reilly Daly, Olivia Muscatelli and Gabrielle DiCostanzo all scored in the opener and start on attack or in the midfi eld.

Kamryn VanEtten

Conference Schedules

April BOYS

19 @ Freeport 10:30 a.m. 28 Plainview 4:45 p.m. 30 @ Hicksville 10:00 a.m.

May

4 East Meadow 4:45 p.m. 6 @ Port Washington 4:45 p.m. 11 Hempstead 4:30 p.m. 14 @ Uniondale 10:00 a.m. 19 Massapequa 4:45 p.m.

March GIRLS

25 @ Malv/East Rock. 4:30 p.m. 30 Great Neck North 5:00 p.m.

April

2 @ Roosevelt 10:00 a.m. 5 Sewanhaka 4:45 p.m. 8 @ Elmont 4:30 p.m. 12 Hempstead 4:30 p.m. 27 Glen Cove 5:00 p.m. 29 Freeport 4:30 p.m.

May

2 @ West Hempstead 4:45 p.m. 6 @ Great Neck South 4:15 p.m.