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2011 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
WEST HEMPSTEAD
Schedule March
Low-ranked Rams can compete Numbers increasing for Lady Rams
By TONY BELLISSIMO
W
ith almost 20 players on the varsity roster, the Rams are looking to build on their success from 2010 when they celebrated five victories and lost three other games by merely a goal in Dominic Carre’s first year as coach. “It’s encouraging,” Carre said of the increased participation, which at the JV level has surpassed 20 to allow for a full-blown schedule unlike last season. “The numbers are promising for the future,” he added. Though seeded at the bottom of the 12-team Nassau Conference B-II, West Hempstead has potential to surprise with more experience and confidence than it brought to the table last spring. “We still have a handful of guys in their first year, but we have a good core back and I’m expecting competitive games,” Carre said. After leading the offense as a sophomore, Dan Sheeler is back to lead a midfield sure to be bolstered by the return of senior Stephen Mancilla from a broken collarbone that cost him a year ago. Sheeler is the Rams’ go-to player, Carre said, and is as tough in the open field as he is around the cage. The coach describes Mancilla as “a fundamentally sound and steady player who does all the little things well.” Senior Matt Levine is another key to the midfield. Up front, the Rams feature junior Bruno DeVito and senior Mike Castagna. DeVito has good vision and will look to feed Castagna, Sheeler and sophomore attack Dan Njoku plenty of scoring opportunities. “The offense communicates well,” Carre said. “I’m hopeful we’ll score more than last year.” Defensively, the zone has been scrapped for a man-to-man scheme. Seniors John Gomez, Joe Visone and long pole midfielder Joe Violano will lead the effort in the back. Gomez is aggressive and physical, Visone brings four years of experience, and Violano will give the offensive-minded middies a break when the Rams aren’t in possession. The goalie responsibilities will be handled by junior Nick Locurcio and freshman Mike Mosca.
F
29th @ Island Trees
4:30 p.m.
April
“The girls put in a lot of time and effort during the offseason,” Hutt said. “They’re a dedicated group.”
ollowing a couple of lean years, coach Tracy Hutt is trying to revitalize the Lady Rams and is encouraged by the fact they’ll take the field with a roster that runs 26-deep. “It’s nice to have more players for a lot of reasons,” said Hutt, who is hopeful the JV program can return in the near future for the first time in a decade. ade. “It boosts competition for playing time and we can have a full scrimmage in practice,”” she added. Hutt doesn’t want anyone dwelling on the past and has the girls focused on the task at hand. West Hempstead empstead will compete in Conference B-III II along with Sewanhaka, Glen Cove, Carey, rey, Elmont, Great Neck North, Great Neck eck South and Malverne/East Rockaway. “We have to forget about last year and move on,” she said. “We have a fresh start and an opportunity to win our share of games mes if we play well.” The defense can keep eep the Lady Rams close in games. Seniorr Kim Velazquez is used to being the last line of defense, having served as the soccer ccer goalkeeper for years, and her vision and mindset will be an asset for new goaliee Taryn Squiciarino, a freshman who has played layed phenomenally in practice according to the coach. “Kim understands everythingg about defense and can help Taryn really y develop into a top goalie.” Senior Bryanna Grogan is moving from attack to defense,, junior Kelly Walsh returns to the back linee after being pressed into goal a year ago, and nd freshman Taylor Friermuth is an aggressive ssive addition. Hutt also didn’t rule out using ing versatile sophomore Samantha Frigand nd on defense. Junior Erin Guerrero ero is the team’s top all-around talent and d heads a midfield group that includes senior nior Ashley Merrill, speedy freshman Nina na Boria and sophomore Nia Jones. All are being counted on to chip in offensively and balance out senior attack Katie Lynch.
LACROSSE PREVIEW - HERALD COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS — March 31, 2011
BOYS
1st 8th 13th 27th 30th
Elmont Plainedge @ Malv/ER @ Wheatley Lawrence
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 1:00 p.m.
May 3rd 5th 10th 13th 16th
Sewanhaka @ New Hyde Park @ Glen Cove @ Lynbrook G.N. North
4:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:00 p.m. 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS April 1st 7th 11th 13th 14th 16th 29th
@ Elmont @ Mepham Carey @ Wheatley Sewanhaka G.N. North @ Glen Cove
4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 4:30 p.m.
May 2nd @ G.N. South 5th Malv/ER 7th @ Roslyn
4:30 p.m. 4:15 p.m. 3:00 p.m.
KIM VELAZQUEZ DAN SHEELER
Photos by RON MANFREDI
I
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