Wantagh Warriors

2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview

WANTAGH

Warriors seek return to form

By ANDREW COEN

Last year produced a rare losing season for a Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team and fourth-year coach James Polo is determined to return the winning ways to a program that traditionally competes for county championships. The Warriors never were able to hit their stride during a 2-10 truncated season due to the COVID-19 pandemic where a number of players joined late because of overlap with spring football. Half of Wantagh’s losses were decided by three goals or less including a 1513 defeat to Locust Valley in the fi rst round of the Class C playoffs. “We just never got the mojo going last season,” Polo said. “Last year defi nitely doesn’t dictate what year defi nitely doesn’t dictate what

Tyler Martini

this team can do.” Wantagh returns All-County attackman Tyler Martini, who Polo describes as a “physical specimen” with his athleticism and size. Martini scored fi ve goals in last year’s playoff loss to Locust Valley. The Warriors will regain the services of senior midfi elder Sean Carlo, a Stony Brook commit who missed last season after suffering an ACL injury during football. He was selected by teammates for the traditional honor of wearing number 22 in memory of former Warrior Scott DeVerna, who died in 1999. Reigning All-Conference junior attackman Anthony Tsakos and senior LIU-bound midfi elder Mark Maniet provide additional offensive fi repower for Wantagh aliong with All-Conference sophomore faceoff specialist William more faceoff specialist William Greaves. Greaves. Wantagh brings back key Wantagh brings back key defensive starters from last year in defensive starters from last year in senior Stephen Mendolia, a SUNY senior Stephen Mendolia, a SUNY Geneseo commit and junior Noah Geneseo commit and junior Noah Corwin. Senior Cavit Ireland, who Corwin. Senior Cavit Ireland, who played on defense last year while played on defense last year while also serving as the backup goalie, also serving as the backup goalie, is slated to start in net this spring. is slated to start in net this spring.

The Warriors were The Warriors were seeded sixth in Conferseeded sixth in Conference C/D, which Polo said ence C/D, which Polo said serves as an extra motivator. serves as an extra motivator. “With this group I think they “With this group I think they can do whatever they put their can do whatever they put their mind to,” Polo said, “We’re seeing mind to,” Polo said, “We’re seeing them buy into the system now.’ them buy into the system now.’

Sky’s the limit for Wantagh for Wantagh

After ending last season just short of a county title, the returning Wantagh girls lacrosse team seniors designed a logo with the phrase, “We have unfi nished

business.” A senior-laden Warriors team fell 9-8 to Manhasset in the Class C fi nals, but plenty of talent returns led by reigning All-American midfi elder Madison Taylor. The Warriors graduated eight starters from last year’s team that went 12-4 while facing one of the nation’s most grueling schedules. “The girls are hungry,” said fourth-year coach Robyn Rooney. “We want to raise that championship banner in June.” Taylor’s historic 2021 season included 56 goals, 28 assists, 113 draw controls, 30 caused turnovers and 58 groundballs. Rooney said Taylor is the best pure athlete she has ever coached with leadership abilities making her an even bigger force. In addition to Taylor, Wantagh also features offensive threats in junior attackers already committed to colleges in Eva Ingrilli (UNC) and Madison Alaimo (Virginia). Rooney said Erin Whitaker, Olivia Nicholson, Riley Forthofer, Juliana Cerasi and Julia Nicholson are also capable scorers. Wantagh will have a whole new close defense this season after graduating all starters from last year’s unit that held teams to 10 goals or fewer in 11 games. Sophomore Bridget Smith will be a key catalyst of the defense after earning some varsity experience as a freshman with two starts. Kat Gullian, Nicole Baudo and Paige Martin and will also be part of the defensive effort. Junior goalies Nicole Schaumloff and Lauren Rochel both return after splitting time in the cage last season. The Warriors will once again tackle one of the toughest regular season schedules in the country with fi ve teams in the nation’s just short of a county title, the preseason top 25 rankings, which returning Wantagh girls lacrosse Rooney hopes will serve as solid team seniors designed a logo with preparation for a deep postseason the phrase, “We have unfi nished run capped by a championship.

A senior-laden Warriors team fell 9-8 to Manhasset in the Class C fi nals, but plenty of talent returns led by reigning All-American midfi elder Madison Taylor. The Warriors graduated eight starters from last year’s team that went 12-4 while facing one of the nation’s most grueling “The girls are hungry,” said fourth-year coach Robyn Rooney. “We want to raise that champion Taylor’s historic 2021 season included 56 goals, 28 assists, 113 draw controls, 30 caused turnovers and 58 groundballs. Rooney said Taylor is the best pure athlete she has ever coached with leadership abilities making her an even bigger In addition to Taylor, Wantagh also features offensive threats in junior attackers already committed to colleges in Eva Ingrilli (UNC) and Madison Alaimo (Virginia). Rooney said Erin Whitaker, Olivia Nicholson, Riley Forthofer, Juliana Cerasi and Julia Nicholson are also

loff and Lauren Rochel both return after splitting time in the cage last season. The Warriors will once again tackle one of the toughest regular season schedules in the country with fi ve teams in the nation’s preseason top 25 rankings, which Rooney hopes will serve as solid preparation for a deep postseason run capped by a championship.

Eva Ingrilli

Conference Schedules

April BOYS

1 Lynbrook 4:45 p.m. 6 @ South Side 6:00 p.m. 9 C.S. Harbor 11:00 a.m. 23 Wheatley 10:00 a.m. 27 @ Plainedge 5:00 p.m. 29 @ Hewlett 5:15 p.m.

May

4 Seaford 4:45 p.m. 7 Mineola 5:00 p.m. 10 @ Manhasset 5:00 p.m. 13 North Shore 5:00 p.m. 18 @ Bethpage 7:00 p.m.

March GIRLS

28 @ North Shore 5:00 p.m. 31 Syosset 5:00 p.m.

April

4 Kennedy 4:45 p.m. 9 @ Seaford 4:30 p.m. 13 Long Beach 5:00 p.m. 25 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 28 South Side 4:30 p.m.

May

3 @ Manhasset 5:00 p.m. 5 @ Plainedge 4:45 p.m.