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2011 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
KENNEDY
Schedule April
Cougars deal with early adversity By STEVE SINISKI
sophomore Dan Hartman. "The [team] attitude has been awesome," Papach said, noting Kennedy has made three straight playoff appearances. "We've won 28 games over the last three years and don't want to take a step backward."
Speed, improving skills key Lady Cougars
B
acked by returning experience on every level of the field, the Lady Cougars are hoping to snap a string of five straight raight seasons without a playoff appearance. arance. Senior midfielder Morgan Kitton on and senior midfielder/attack Kayleigh Grieser are focal points on the offense, which ich will also feature considerable contributions butions from senior Sam Rothery. Throw in the return of senior Nicole Insardi and sophomore Kerri Baum, and the five soccer er players have a special on-field bond that at could give them a leg up. "They all play soccer together and are able to communicate without being ng verbal," coach Keri Andree said. "They hey can just give a look to each other and d know what's going on." Baum, Insardi and freshman n Sara Rothery have already helped give Kennedy ennedy different looks, because the three aree quick to the ball and opposing players on the defensive wing. For Baum, the switch ch from attack happened on a whim after Andree noticed her quickness and mental strength trength while playing on the defensive end for the varsity basketball team. "So many girls play so many different ifferent positions and understand the game ame so well," Andree said. "We're trying not to push the speed when it's not really y there and work on stick skills so we don't have to rely on our legs so much." Sophomore Melissa Esposito is also part of the rotation at midfield, while senior Courtney Burdowski and sophomores Sheila Hernon and Mara Gerlack are slated to handle the defensive duties. Hernon's the most physical of thee three, and Burdowski has become thee go-to player on the defensive side of thee field.
Gerlack slides to the back row after seeing time at midfield. "We're focusing a lot on defense," Andree said. "They've really pulled together a lot faster than they thought they would." Sophomore Lee Kraut is the last line of defense, and her fearlessness is a major asset. "She's not afraid of the ball," Andree said. "She doesn't shy away from it, and she's got a big voice so we're looking for her to really work with the defense."
1st 5th 8th 13th 16th 20th 21st 27th
North Shore @ Hewlett G.N. South New Hyde Park Sewanhaka @ Carey @ Elmont South Side
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:30 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 10:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
May 10th @ Jericho 13th Garden City 16th @ Wantagh
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS March 29th G.N. South
4:30 p.m.
April 9th @ Lynbrook 28th Roslyn 30th @ Bethpage
2:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m.
May 2nd Hewlett 6th @ Mepham 10th New Hyde Park
MORGAN KITTON
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
WILL DIANA
Photos by JANETTE PELLEGRINI
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ennedy's been forced to do a considerable amount of moving and shaking on the lacrosse field during the early stages of the 2011 season due to an unfortunate string of injuries that has impacted the team. "We've just got to find a way to get everyone ready for game play," coach Craig Papach said, noting that the issue isn't talent-based, but rather building a chemistry among the players. "I think we have the ingredients, it's just going to take a little longer." The defense for the Cougars, seeded seventh in Conference B-I, returns senior Will Diana, an Honorable Mention All-County close defender, along with classmates John Nantz and Patrick Coons, both four-year program players. Sophomores Brandon Klein and Nicholas DiGangi are also part of the mix. "[Will] is excellent on faceoffs, led the team in ground balls and is a good creator in offensive transition," Papach said. "He's also going to cover the [opponent's] best player, regardless of position." Senior Patrick Grillo returns to his post between the posts as the starting goalie, though junior Alex Naftal, continues to push the incumbent in practice much the same as last season. The domino effect of player movement began in the winter when sophomore transfer Jake Greenberg was lost for the season due to injury and continued when senior attack Zac Shuldiner was hobbled early in camp. When Shuldiner, coming of a team-high 30-goal campaign, is set to return, he will ultimately handle more responsibility. Junior attack Matthew Gavigan is a returning starter, while senior Andrew Brancato is a good catch-and-shoot finisher and strong player inside. In Greenberg's absence, sophomores Chris Racalbuto and Christopher Jones will assume larger roles on the first line along with junior Keith Safon. The second unit includes senior Kevin Carr, juniors Nick Mercurio and Lucas Gerrato and
LACROSSE PREVIEW - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — March 31, 2011
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