Lacrosse RVC, OCE 04-17-2025 D

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Carey

Clarke

East

Elmont

Farmingdale

Hewlett

Kennedy Cougars

Long

Lynbrook Owls

MacArthur Generals

Malverne/East Rockaway

Massapequa Chiefs

Mepham Pirates

Oceanside Sailors

Plainedge Red

Seaford Vikings

Sewanhaka

South

Lacrosse Preview

Cover Design

Jeffrey A. Negrin

Photos - Karen Millindorf

Cover Photos

Brooke Mazzei (Lynbrook)

(Plainedge)

Owen Heller, Mepham High School

Photo by Jeff Wilson

Wantagh High School. Photo by Brian Ballweg

BALDWIN

By MARC BERMAN

The Baldwin boys missed out on the playoffs by one game last season when they finished 7-8. With the Bruins bringing back just two starters, head coach Tim Clancy will be content if they can make a similar playoff push.

“We’re young but our JV team had a strong season,’’ said Clancy, in his 7th season. “I like our youth and it could lead to further growth. There’s a lot of potential.’’

The offense’s centerpiece is senior captain Preston Kirchner, a three-year starter who notched 18 goals, 13 assists as third-leading scorer. He’ll play attack and midfield in 2025. He’s as deft as playmaker and goal-scorer.

“He’s a true two-way player and may have to take faceoffs,’’ Clancy said. “He shoots well on the run and has one of the best quick shots when he’s loose in the crease.’’

The leader of the defense is junior Elijah Iles, a three-year starter who matches up against the opponent’s top goal-scorer. “He’s fast, tough and has a great stick,’’ Clancy said.

In goal, senior Dwight Lindsay is being counted upon heavily. He played five games in 2024 because of an injury to the starter and boasted a 51-percent save percentage.

Senior midfielder Jake Stevenson is a returning starter and scored 5 goals, 6 assists. There’s room to grow. “He likes to dodge in and shoot - likes to go to the cage,’’ Clancy said.

Junior midfielder Garris Williams made just three starts because of a severe ankle sprain and notched 1 goal, 2 assists. “He’s a very capable player and we expect big things from Garris,’’ Clancy said. “If it wasn’t for injury, he would’ve helped us a lot.’’

Senior attacker Chad Henry is a first-year starter after spot duty last spring. Two 2024 JV stars to watch are midfielder Amir Karl Otto and defenseman Lucas Diaz.

Playoff push main goal for Bruins

The Bruins will take on the likes of West Hempstead, Malverne/East Rockaway, Valley Stream District, Clarke, Elmont, Freeport, East Meadow and Kennedy.

Baldwin fresh off conference title

After a spectacular 13-2 season, the Baldwin girls are in for a challenging reboot. And head coach Rebecca Posillico, embroiled in her own personal challenge, wasn’t leaving her players.

Posillico was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and still undergoes treatment. She’ll still coach – her 13th season.

“I’ve been feeling very good so I decided to continue,’’ Posillico said. “It’s such a rebuilding year and I felt strong enough to be there for them. It’s good for me also.’’

Gone are 11 seniors from a team that won its second-ever conference championship. After winning the conference, Baldwin ran into a buzzsaw in Port Washington and lost, 13-7, in the first round. “Port Washington was very, very good,’’ Posillico said. “We were upset we lost but pretty happy with how we performed.’’

Two players also transferred, including their star, Kaitlin Timmes.

Just two starters return. “We have a very new team,’’ Posillico said.

The key player returning is junior midfielder, CJ Keryc (22 goals, 6 assists). She was the team’s second-leading scorer in 2024. “She played attack last year but she’ll be a middie this year,’’ Posillico said of Keryc. “She stepped up to the plate, realized she had to put in extra work and held summer workouts with the girls.’’

Of similar importance is junior midfielder Ava Jerome (15 goals 18 assists) “She’s very familiar with our attack and has wonderful stick skills,’’ Posillico said. “She’s a very strong defender. We’re lucky to have her back.’’

Only in eighth grade, Valentina Altamirano will start as attacker. She came in off the bench last

season as a seventh grader. “She was a little intimidated but has a lot of skill,’’ Posillico said.

Junior defenseman Kaci Carpenter and senior defender Madison Martin will also see her role expand. On the JV last season, junior attacker Emma Tiong Smith is known for her quickness. “She’s always moving the ball around and has a good sense of the game.’’

Baldwin will open its conference schedule by playing five of its first six away from home. Some of its biggest challenges include Oceanside, MacArthur, Calhoun and Lynbrook.

It’s a new team but the Bruins will be competitive with its same venerable coach.

Conference Schedules

GIRLS

April

Photos by Jeff Wilson

CJ Karyc

Preston Kirchner

CALHOUN

By TONY BELLISSIMO

After back-to-back appearances in the Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse championship game, Calhoun returned to the playoffs last spring and lost an epic quarterfinal battle with Carey in overtime.

The Colts and coach Jim Femminella are looking to get back to at least the Final Four at Hofstra in 2025 and will be relying on its talent and depth on offense while a revamped defense rounds into shape.

“We have 75 percent of our scoring returning but replacing four of five defensive spots,” said Femminella, who guided the team to 15 wins a year ago. “We have excellent depth. We’re in the power conference so it’s going to be a big step up in competition.”

Calhoun returns five who found the back of the net at least a dozen times last spring, led by senior All-County attack Harley Finklestein, a four-year starter. He had 45 goals and 28 assists and is expected to garner even more defensive attention. “He can do it all and is one of the top offensive weapons in the county,” Femminella said.

Seniors Nicholas Voll (29 goals, 27 assists) and Brendan Garvey (23, 18) provide the Colts with a potent 1-2 punch in the midfield. Garvey moves from attack and his playmaking skills will come in handy given the introduction of the 60-second shot clock. Senior lefty Ryan Burr (12 goals, 6 assists) is a proven finisher on attack. Sophomore faceoff specialist Michael Nicholson returns after winning 2/3rds of draws. Sophomore Brandon McCabe (15 goals), senior Bobby Bello and juniors Nick Pina and Jake Baci are additional key pieces to the midfield.

Senior Lucas Porcaro is a returning starting defender and anchors the back. Junior A.J. Nill played in every game and junior Aidan Frydman also has some experience. Sophomore long pole Joe Smith and freshman John Ruisi are exciting young talents, Femminella said. The last line of defense is junior

Final Four always on Colts’ radar

goalkeeper Nick Greci, last year’s backup who saw plenty of playing time. “He’s steady and vocal,” the coach noted.

Familiar face leading Calhoun again

James Raucci is back at the helm of Calhoun’s girls’ program after an eight-year hiatus and is excited about a diverse roster with a bunch of seniors and three eighth graders.

The Colts won 10 games last spring including a thrilling 9-8 Class B playoff quarterfinal victory over MacArthur thanks to a late goal by Samantha Kalinoglu, one of a handful of key returnees.

“I’m excited to be back as lacrosse has been my mainstay since I started coaching here in the late 1990s,” Raucci said. “Class B is always tough and Manhasset is back in this year, but we are good enough to compete in Conference 2 and everyone is looking forward to the challenge.”

Leading the list of veterans is senior Alexandra Aievoli, a midfielder who could see some time at attack and perhaps even a shift on defense. She had more than 30 goals and 13 assists a year ago. “She’s a strong multisport athlete who is powerful and explosive,” Raucci said. “She has all the tools.”

Sophomore Tessa Gerrard and freshman Tess McGuire are returning midfielders that represent not only the present but future of the program. “Gerrard has a tremendous lacrosse IQ and can develop into a field general,” the coach said. “McGuire is super smooth and highly skilled. I’m expecting a lot from both of them even though they’re young. They’re talented.”

Kalinoglu scored 17 times last season and brings an accurate left-handed shot. Also being counted on to boost the attack are senior Angie Kasimatis and sophomores Eila Cavalieri and Gabrielle Cunha.

At the other end of the field, the Colts are hoping returning starting goaltender Lainey Guzowski can

return sometime in April from an offseason injury. Guzowski made 9 of her 70 saves a year ago in the playoff win over MacArthur and has fast reflexes, Raucci said. Sophomore Alexa Schenfeld has been impressive during training camp.

On defense, senior Kailey Faughnan is a returning starter who has leadership qualities as well as quickness. Junior DeLaney Ann McGrath will also anchor a unit that includes senior Sam Guida.

Conference Schedules BOYS

April

GIRLS

April

Photos by Ron Manfredi

Harley Finkelstein

Alexandra Aievoli

By GARRETT D. URIBE

ICAREY

High hopes for experienced Seahawks

know we have a chance with him in the cage.”

t’s hard to imagine a team better primed for promotion to Nassau boys’ lacrosse’s Power League.

Coming off an 11-3 finish in Conference B (12-6 overall), Carey sees the culmination of a core that has had three years to grow and coalesce as a varsity unit.

The Seahawks boast nine senior returning starters, all of whom enter a fourth season on varsity – including All-County honorees Rich Metzger and Christian Todaro, Honorable Mention All-County selections Chris Obertis and Billy Koutsoumbaras, and the All-Conference midfield pair of Christian Korzloski and Michael Verderosa.

“We return a lot of kids who’ve played a lot of minutes together,” said 26th-year head coach Tom Aiello, whose team fell to eventual state Class B champ (and now new Power League foe) South Side in last year’s Nassau semifinals.

“Most of them have been playing together since they were in second grade. So there’s very good chemistry. We’re excited,” he added.

Just before Carey met its fate running up against steamroller South Side, attackers Obertis and Todaro had been on a three-game, 34-point rampage (combined) on 20 goals and 14 assists leading up to the Seahawks’ exit in the semi. Obertis finished with 49 goals, tying for 12th in Nassau, while Todaro’s 30 assists also ranked 12th in the county.

Juniors Ethan Pelzer (21 goals, 19 assists) and James McGrath (15, 16) give Carey seasoned depth on offense, while Koutsoubaras, Dom Deluca and fellow senior Michael Lucszynski return as defensive stalwarts, with senior Johnwood Altenor further bolstering Carey’s backline. Metzger, a fourth-year-starter at goalie, had 187 saves last season setting a career-high. His lifetime total stands at 458.

“Richie’s gotten so good it’s been a challenge for guys to score on him in practice,” Aiello said. “That’s how well he’s playing. Really focused, reflexes good. We

Added Aiello: “Moving to the Power League, we know it’ll be tough. But this group is competitors. They look forward to the challenge.”

Carey off conference title run

Though girls head coach Paul Luzzi had hinted in camp that his club was on the cusp of a turnaround, the now third-year skipper never quite conveyed it would be a screeching one-eighty – the Seahawks molting a pair of preceding 2-11 seasons (which followed 2021’s one-win showing) to don last year’s Conference 4 crown rolling 11-1 (11-3 overall).

“Things are moving fast,” said Luzzi, whose team – promoted this season to Conference 3 – made last year’s Class B quarterfinals in its first postseason since 2019. “You don’t always see it happen so quick, especially with where we started. But we hope to carry our momentum forward. I think what happened is we learned how to win.”

A 10-4 win in April at league foe Island Trees - the fifth in a season-best skein of eight straight Seahawks victories – stood as both a blueprint and acid test for Carey, said Luzzi. Conference 4 Player of the Year Leila Paz – who tied for 11th in Nassau last year scoring 75 goals – notched her fifth of 12 hat tricks on the season scoring three times with two assists against the Bulldogs.

“Leila’s a dynamic player,” Luzzi said of the Dominican College (Orangeburg, NY) commit. “Against Island Trees, she helped us really surprise them. They were a higher seed, and seemed really surprised by our effort. It was a big win. It showed what we could do when we we’re motivated.”

Paz, who set the team season-high mark with nine goals against Herricks in May, begins her senior season as a fourth-year starter, joined by Katie Zitarosa (senior), whose team-leading 33 assists ranked fourth in Nassau.

Senior Kaitlyn DeJesus (129 saves – ranked 10th in Nassau) returns as Carey’s goalie, while Magdalena Koutsambaras and Lexi Giuliano – both seniors – are

back to head the Seahawks’ defense.

Junior Kaitlyn McGrath and senior Mikayla DiPaolo join Paz and Zitarosa on attack.

“We’re going to ride the core,” Luzzi said, “I think our experience last year will carry over, even moving to a higher conference.”

The Seahawks have a tough grind in the early going with four of their first five games on the road. Their only home game during the first half of April is on the 7th against New Hyde Park.

Conference Schedules BOYS

April

May

GIRLS

April

Photos by Donovan Berthoud

Leila Paz

Christian Todaro

CLARKE

By TONY BELLISSIMO

With the new conference alignments for Nassau boys’ lacrosse this spring, Clarke figures — and hopes — to be much more competitive every time it steps on the field.

“Last year was tough we only had a few returning starters and won three games, but the kids took every opponent head on,” coach Joe Hasbrouck said. “There’s an excitement around what our schedule looks like on paper. We should benefit from the new setup.”

The Rams, who won three games in 2024, boast a mix of experience and first-year starters all over the field. They’ll face Kennedy, Friends Academy, Baldwin, Uniondale, Glen Cove, Elmont, Valley Stream District, East Meadow, Oyster Bay, Malverne/East Rockaway, Great Neck North and West Hempstead.

A perfect example of Clarke’s roster can be found in the back end. Senior defender Rocco Carino enters his fourth season in the lineup, junior Joe DiGesu is looking to benefit from last year’s experience, and newcomers Alex Hall and long stick Yaya Seguara, both sophomores, aim to make their share of contributions in front of goaltender Elijah Richard.

Carino, who also plays football, is a physical kid who operates under control, “He was All-Conference last season and took over as our top defenseman,” noted Hasbrouck, who added DiGesu is a smart defender with solid stick skills.

Richard made a ton of saves last season, including plenty of difficult ones, and brings strong footwork and quick hands.

Leading the Rams at midfield is junior Justin Montez, a three-sport athlete who made strides late last spring. “He’s scrappy and high energy,” Hasbrouck said. The attack is young and mostly unproven. Junior David Quesada, who could see time at midfield, is fluid on the move with an accurate left-handed shot. Probably the team’s biggest surprise in 2024, Hasbrouck said, was

Rams benefit from new alignment

Liam Morgan on attack. The junior isn’t afraid to mix it up, and an uptick in production is expected of him.

“We have some starting spots to fill and those battles will hopefully boost our depth,” Hasbrouck said.

Clarke buzzing after 10-win campaign

There’s quite a buzz around Clarke’s girls’ program for the first time in years, and for good reason. The Rams broke through after some lean seasons to earn 10 wins in 2024, falling just a game shy of reaching the playoffs. Now they’re hoping to pick up where they left off.

“We are looking forward to seeing our team to continue to progress as a program,” longtime head coach Rick Aragona said. “We are seeking leadership from our seniors, each of which brings their own flare on and off the field. Their proven dedication to the program deserves to be recognized.”

One of those seniors, attacker Valentina Kesabian, earned All-Conference honors last spring after scoring 26 goals. “She’s quick and aggressive,” said Aragona, who is also looking for senior Karli Rubenstein to use her playmaking skills from behind the cage and senior Sophia Sforza bolster the offense.

Juniors midfielders Gianna Riccobono and Madison DeLeon are two major pieces of the puzzle. They scored 22 and 16 goals, respectively, a year ago as the Rams made a playoff push. They are both super athletic and aggressive to the cage, and the same can be said of sophomore middies Ayla Abate and Mia Lucas, who had 15 and 9 goals, respectively.

At the back end of the field, senior Loren Foley is the returning starting goaltender and she’ll be backed by junior Rebekah McGrady, giving Aragona the luxury of two quality options. Foley made 82 saves last season including 10 in one of Clarke’s biggest victories — 9-6 over Jericho. McGrady totaled 30 saves. “Loren is focused and skilled, and Rebekah is skilled and calm,”

he noted.

On defense, Aragona is excited about the depth the Rams can use to keep opponents in check. Topping the depth chart are juniors Ava Ruperto and Erin Frank, senior Sophia Faude, and sophomores Julia Cardozo and Katerina Rivera.

“It’s important to take things one game at a time,” Aragona said. “We’re a team of blue-collar workers. We get by on hard work and determination, and desire to win.”

Gianna Riccobono

Rocco Carino

EAST MEADOW

Experienced Jets primed for takeoff

By BRIAN KACHARABA

ext year is going to be a massive year for us.”

That was the declaration from East Meadow boys’ lacrosse head coach Joe Cataldo last spring after he guided the Jets to an 8-8 record (6-6 Conference 3) in his first year at the helm following the team’s one-win campaign in 2023. And with most of the roster returning, those words could prove prophetic.

Cataldo admits that his team may not be ready to claim the program’s first conference title since 1985 as of yet, but knows that they are trending upward.

“I just want to make sure these guys understand the goal moving forward,” he said. “It doesn’t stop here. This is going to be another step in the right direction for us, but it doesn’t end here. We’ve got to keep going.”

Senior Bryan Tauber had a monster season in 2024, collecting a team-high 43 goals and 52 points to earn All-Conference honors. That was a major leap from his 28 goals and seven assists during his sophomore year.

Junior Thomas Primrose had 25 goals last spring and forms a nice offensive triumvirate with Tauber and senior Jack Caracciola, who had a team-high 33 assists to go with 18 goals.

“Jack is the eyes on the field, finding the open man,” Cataldo said. “He has so many assists because of his talent and dodging and creating to give Primrose that opportunity, to give Tauber that opportunity. That’s a huge piece because he’s not getting the recognition for the goals, he’s getting them for the assists.”

Cataldo is hoping that senior Vincent Ronzo can also chip in offensively and the future is bright for midfielder Noah Garner, who had nine goals and over 60 ground balls as a freshman.

East Meadow also returns three solid and experienced defensemen in seniors Ryan Michel and Shaun Reilly and junior Ben Barbara. Cataldo may also give minutes to promising sophomore Richard Morreale.

Junior goaltender Jackson Reger is the “glue” to the team, according to Cataldo, who stopped over 160 shots last season.

East Meadow has voids to fill

Not winning Conference 3 and having a large school enrollment were the reasons why the girls’ team missed the playoffs for the first time under head coach Nicolette Tortorici despite boasting a 9-2 divisional record (9-5 overall). And getting to that mark this year will be a greater challenge.

The Jets lost their top two scorers, starting goaltender, and other key pieces to graduation, leaving Tortorici to wonder if she has enough talent to sustain that success.

“It’s going to be hard to fill those girls’ shoes,” she said. “We had a huge senior class and most of them were starters and they were very skillful, so it’s going to be more of a rebuilding year,” she said.

Senior Jaelyn Zabala is the team’s top returning scorer with 22 goals and 31 points. That included three hat tricks, with the last one coming in the season finale against Oyster Bay, and four four-point efforts.

“She’s going to be our go-to,” Tortorici said. “She’s just so athletic and so much fun to watch. She’s a hard worker and gets up and down the field so quickly. I think she knows that she’s going to be on her own, but hopefully the underclassmen step up and can fill the gaps that we need.”

Junior Kayla Lederer (14-4-18), who had a key goal in last year’s Senior Day game, and sophomore Kate Barnett (2-3-5) should provide secondary scoring as well as junior Jessica Stump (6-6-12), who is also one of the Jets’ top faceoff specialists. Crystal Cruz had four goals as a sophomore and her confidence grew as the season progressed, according to Tortorici.

The defense remains mostly intact with senior Alissa Valente returning from an injury-plagued 2024 season

to go with senior Shauna Gregorio and junior Guliana D’Alessandro, who both filled in admirably during her absence. But senior Ava Zucker is still recovering from injuries that sidelined her for the fall soccer season.

Senior and salutatorian Alissa Mili is projected to be the new starting goaltender after seeing some time there last spring.

Jaelyn Zabala

Ryan Michel

Spartans boosted by top athletes

By DYLAN BUTLER

Connor Bennardo is like a pied piper in the hallways of Elmont High School, with a lacrosse stick replacing a flute as the boys’ head coach attempts to recruit athletes to his team.

And it’s worked, with three of the five starters on the basketball team that reached the county championship giving lacrosse a try.

Khalil Muhammad and Nassir Edwards are back for a second year, with Arlyn Brown joining them this spring.

“The goal is that when you have athletes like Nassir, Khalil and Arlyn decide they’re going to play lacrosse, all the seventh and eighth graders who look up to them as football and basketball players, it’s cool for them to play lacrosse too,” Bennardo said. “We want to show them how great the sport is and how much potential there is not only for high school but even after high school with the amount of recruiting done on Long Island for lacrosse.”

Muhammad has become the starting faceoff specialist and a defensive midfielder. Edwards picked up the sport so quickly that he scored a hat trick in last year’s final game.

And now Brown has joined them, with the trio bringing a winning basketball culture to Bennardo’s inexperienced lacrosse program.

“I kind of convinced them to play and having athletes like that, and more than anything, winners like that, kids who are just used to winning has been such a blessing for us,” Bennardo said.

Returning for the Spartans are offensive anchors Anthony Oliveras, a senior who has been part of the program for a few years, and junior Gustavo Solario, in his second year on varsity.

Also back is goaltender Garvin Michel, who decided to give lacrosse a try last year and, because of an injury, ended up being the starting goaltender.

There’s a rich lacrosse history at Elmont, with six

county championships, five Long Island titles and a pair of state crowns. That history is met with both surprise and optimism among the recently converted.

“I think they’re surprised when they see it, but I also think it motivates them because it shows Elmont was here before they could be there again,” Bennardo said.

Rebuilt Elmont learning on the fly

Success for the Elmont girls this year isn’t defined by wins and losses.

“If they’ve learned something new, they learned the value of hard work, and they learned the importance of teammates, and relying on and showing up for their teammates, then we’ve succeeded,” head coach Kemola Webster said. “We’ve succeeded if we create great citizens who are going to be amazing people in the future, starting right here on this lacrosse field.”

A year ago the Spartans were 6-8 and ended their season with a win. But there’s almost a complete roster turnover after graduating the bulk of that squad.

The majority of this year’s squad are lacrosse neophytes, learning the basics of a sport that was previously foreign to them.

“This is going to be a fun year for us. I think it’s going to be a lot of learning. We are very, very young this year,” Webster said. “We’ll have our good days, we’ll have our learning days, but as long as we are able to stay focused, work on the things that we’re working on, I think we’re going to do great.”

Webster called a season-opening 13-2 loss to Carey “amazing,” because of the positive energy pulsating throughout the team.

“They had so much energy and were so supportive of each other,” Webster said. “The amazing thing about these young ladies is that they’re bought in and they’re excited. They’re excited to see what the actual game of lacrosse looks like on the field. It’s very positive and motivating for what’s to come.”

There is a veteran core back to help guide the young

players. They include returning starting goaltender Saradjine Simeon and Kahela Michel, one of the leading scorers from last year.

“Saradjine has been the goalie and she’s been tremendous for us over the last couple of years,” Webster said. “Kahela got a lot of field time and a lot of field experience last year, so she was able to be successful for us.”

Also back are Lulu Desir and Giselly Romero on attack, while Eva Torres and Elissa Acheampong anchor the backline.

Photos by Sue Grieco

Saradjine Simeon

Anthony Oliverias

By DYLAN BUTLER

BFARMINGDALE

Dalers trying for county, L.I. Three-Peat

they need is back-to-back losses in the state championship.

rendan O’Keefe, the two-time All-American attackman, is now at Albany. Caden Lennon, who scored 31 goals, is now at Bryant.

The dynamic duo played a starring role for the Farmingdale boys’ lacrosse in consecutive Long Island Class A championships and two straight trips to the New York State title game.

And while they may lack the proven star power, the Dalers are not bereft of players who are back from playing on the final day of the lacrosse season again.

“We don’t return an All-American like we did last year with Brendan, and we don’t have as many D-I guys on the offensive side of the ball,” head coach Eric Dunne said. “We actually have more guys who played in the state championship game returning to this team than we did the year before.”

That includes the other two starting attackmen in senior Dean Kott and junior Cuinn Sunde, as well as first midfielders Josh Kama, a junior, and freshman Jack Waltrous.

Faceoff specialist JJ Damo, an LIU-bound junior is back, as are defensive midfielders Jake Mangio, a senior committed to Bryant, and junior Thomas Goodrich.

The DNA of any Farmingdale team is its defense and that should again be the case this year with standout close defenders Mike Galgano, a junior committed to UMass, and senior Matt Ippoliti (LIU) anchoring the backline.

The Dalers have also produced standout goaltenders and senior Matt Hughes is the latest between the pipes, following in the footsteps of Jimmy Caputo, who is now at Pace.

“Matt is an incredibly athletic goaltender, a guy who can make saves from pipe to height,” Dunne said. “His reflexes are tremendously fast and he throws really good outlets.”

Farmingdale was preseason No. 2 in Nassau Class A in a vote by the league coaches. That’s not added motivation for the Dalers, though. All the motivation

“I think there’s a big pressure on these guys to try and finish the job and create their legacy,” Dunne said.

Farmingdale off 15-win campaign

The goal last year for the Farmingdale girls’ lacrosse team was a return to Conference I, an important step to restoring the program its previous greatness of 16 county titles, seven Long Island championships and three New York State crowns.

Mission accomplished following a 15-4 season that ended with a second consecutive trip to the county final — and a second straight loss to rival Massapequa in the title game.

And now that they have seat at the table with the conference elite, the Dalers want to prove this year they belong.

“I think there’s a lot of young talent on this team, they’re working really hard, and we have good energy and spirit going into this season,” head coach Melanie Peck said. “We’re excited that we earned the spot in Conference I, so now we’re going to see what we can do with it.”

Three-fourths of the Dalers’ starting attack is back, led by sophomore Juliann Brezski, who led the team with 70 points from 48 goals and 22 assists, junior Jessica Reo, who was the quarterback from X, and junior Mallory O’Keefe, whose brother Brendan was a two-time All-American for the boys team.

While Ashlinn Kelly (Mercy) and Emily Markovina (LeMoyne) anchored the midfield last year, Regan O’Connor, Julianna Roberts, and Catherine Meyer return after stellar freshmen seasons and are ready to take on advanced roles this year.

Defensively, seniors Emma Savino and Brenna Kelly, Ashlinn’s younger sister, and junior KaiLee Smith return and sophomore Megan Caputo, whose brother Jimmy was a standout goalie for the boys team last year, replaces Dakota Capolino, a two-time All-County selection

now at Flagler College, in goal.

“She is an absolute stud in the cage,” Raso said. “We are so blessed to have her. She’s mobile, she isn’t afraid to come out of the cage, and even though it’s her first year starting, she doesn’t play like it’s her first year for sure.”

After back-to-back losses in the county final, the Dalers have set the goal of winning a first Nassau title since 2019 and the heightened competition Conference I provides could be the impetus.

Emma Savino

Matt Ippoliti

FREEPORT

New era begins for Red Devils

By ANDREW COEN

Anew era commences with Freeport boys’ lacrosse this spring following the retirement of longtime head coach Harry Mohrman after more than a half a century leading the Red Devils’ sideline.

Mark Andrejack, who was an assistant under Mohrman, takes over for the legendary head coach who won 535 games in his lengthy Freeport coaching career.

“He’s the best and I was able to learn a lot from him,” Andrejack said of Mohrman. “He’s one of the best to ever do and he’s done a lot of great things for Freeport and kids everywhere for a real long time so we definitely will miss him.”

Andrejack inherits a team that experienced growing pains last year in a 1-10 season following the graduation of 19 seniors from a 2023 squad that came one win shy of qualifying for the playoffs.

Junior attackman Anthony Pinto brings some experience to the offense in his third varsity season. Andrejack is also looking for offensive leadership from senior attackman Mason Santos.

Freshman midfielder Enrique Mendoza-Pineyro is also a key part of the offense and tallied four goals to go along with one assist in Freeport’s season-opening 7-5 non-league win at Stony Brook School on March 29.

The defense is anchored by returning starters Tobias Fitzsimons and Curtis Ealy. Junior long Jalen Brown also adds toughness to the defense as a long stick defensive midfielder in his first season of lacrosse after shining on the football field in the fall.

Junior goaltender Malik Groover is also back for his third season as starting netminder.

“He has really stepped into that leadership role and is becoming more vocal,” Andrejack said of Groover, who registered 10 saves in Freeport’s 5-1 win at Hempstead last season in a near shutout performance. “He is getting better and better.”

Freeport will tackle a Conference III schedule that includes Elmont, New Hyde Park, Lawrence, Friends

Academy, Valley Stream District, Malverne-East Rockaway, Hempstead, Roosevelt, Glen Cove, East Meadow and Kennedy.

Freeport aims to continue positive path

The Freeport girls program made big strides during Anabel Lopez’s seven years as head coach and now Lauren Chimeri is looking to continue the upward trajectory.

Chimeri takes over for Lopez this spring after three seasons as an assistant where she was part of staff that guided Freeport to the playoffs for the first time in more than a decade in 2022 and catapulted the Red Devils up to higher competition from Conference V. After facing growing pains in Conference III, Freeport finds itself in Conference IV this season as the preseason top seed.

“I feel very honored to take over this position and am very proud of our program, but I definitely have big shoes to fill,” said Chimeri, a former standout lacrosse player at Wantagh. “She really built up the girls lacrosse program over the past seven years and I’d love to continue on the same path.”

Freeport returns junior attacker Ava Smith, who was one of the team’s top scorers last season and also can play midfield when needed. Smith scored five goals in a 17-9 loss to Plainview JFK last season.

Senior midfielder Ciana Kunen also brings some offensive experience to the table and Chimeri is hoping she can take her game to another level this spring. Freshman midfielder Kiara Perez is also showing promise early in her high school career after shining on junior varsity as an eighth grader and has taken some of the draw controls along with Kunen.

The defense will once again be led by versatile junior Julia Mendoza-Pineyro, who shifted from the midfield last year. The defensive unit also includes returner Janiya Hncock along with newcomers Elsy Soriano and Anastasia Jimenez.

Senior goalie Bryana Quiros return to start in the

cage after three double-digit save performances last season.

“She’s definitely shown a lot of improvement over the past year,and I think this season she should do really well,” said Chimeri of Quiros, who recorded 12 saves in season-opening 9-2 non-league loss to Conference III foe Bellmore JFK on March 25.

Among Freeport’s conference foes include improved Clarke, West Hempstead, Malverne/East Rockaway, Island Trees and Jericho.

Photos by Ron Manfredi

Leah Awalom

Ethan Richardson

2025 BOYS HEAD COACHES

TIM CLANCY - Baldwin

JIM FEMMINELLA - Calhoun

TOM AIELLO - Carey

MARK ANDREJACK - Freeport

BILL LUZZI - Lynbrook

MIKE SANTISTEBAN - Oceanside

MATT ANTONIOU - Valley Stream

JOE HASBROUCK - Clarke

DALE PESCITELLI - Hewlett

JOHN NESSLER - MacArthur

BRIAN HORNER - Seaford

JAMES POLO - Wantagh

JOE CATALDO - East Meadow

GERARD CUNNINGHAM - Kennedy

ANDREW BISCARDI - Malverne/E. Rockaway

CONNOR HORL - Sewanhaka

AUSTIN WOLFSON - West Hempstead

CONNOR BENNARDO - Elmont

JASON PEARL - Long Beach

RYAN WALSH - Mepham

STEVE DIPIETRO - South Side

ERIC DUNNE - Farmingdale

KEVIN CATALANO - Massapequa

DAN ACHATZ - Plainedge

2025 GIRLS HEAD COACHES

REBECCA POSILLICO - Baldwin

JAMES RAUCCI - Calhoun

PAUL LUZZI - Carey

LAUREN CHIMERI - Freeport

JOE LABARBARA - Lynbrook

RALPH MONTERA JR. - Oceanside

ROB TRONOLONE - Valley Stream

RICK ARAGONA - Clarke

EMMA KRISS - Hewlett

DAN AGOVINO - MacArthur

KRISTA ANCONA - Seaford

LAUREN RUPPERT - Wantagh

NICOLETTE TORTORICI - East Meadow

MALLORY FREELY - Kennedy

CASEY CAPECE - Malverne/E. Rockaway

DEIRDRE MCINTYRE - Sewanhaka

SUZANNE KENNEY - West Hempstead

KEMOLA WEBSTER - Elmont

RACHEL RAY - Long Beach

KRISTEN MOGAVERO - Mepham

ROB DEVLIN- South Side

Photo not available

MELANIE PECK - Farmingdale

BRENDAN GAGHAN - Massapequa

KRISTIN SUSKO - Plainedge

HEWLETT

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH

Hewlett boys’ lacrosse head coach Dale Pescitelli is expecting great things from his team this season after a 8-8 finish last year, which came at the hands of Wheatley in a Class C play-in matchup.

“We are excited, we have a great combination of young guys and older guys,” he said.

“We have a number of seniors that will be getting an abundance of playing time as well as a tremendous group of sophomores that have been playing PAL together since the third grade, and mix them in with a few juniors that we’ve had from years past, I think we’re going to have a solid group this year.”

Pescitelli immediately pointed to senior captain Daniel Lankri, the starting goalie for the last four years, as the heart and soul of the team.

“He has been our knight in shining armor, for lack of a better term,” Pescitelli said. Lankri, an Honorable Mention All-County player, posted over 200 saves last season and finished the 2024 campaign with a 68% save percentage. He’s also a four-year starter.

On the offensive side of the ball are seniors CJ Maiorano, along with junior attackers Chase Rivas and Myles King. Maiorano tallied 16 goals and 6 assists, Rivas had 7 goals and 5 assists and King had 9 goals with 4 assists to his name last season. “We believe we have enough offensive firepower to help us be successful,” the coach noted.

But there’s more to the game than what’s done on the field; just as much, Pescitelli wants to see his players develop off the turf as well. He turns to upperclassmen like senior Jason Rick and junior Stefano Borsellino. Pescitelli is holding the midfield to a high standard, particularly sophomores Jacob Zohar and Ethan Goldenberg. “Those guys will certainly make a splash,” he said. Defensively, Hewlett also has three veterans in

HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview

Bulldogs excited about potential

Daniel Karadi, Michael Shlemovich and Jacob Rovner.

The expectations are simple from Pescitelli: “I need them to lead by example on and off the field,” he said.

New coach guiding Hewlett girls

In her first year at the helm of the Bulldogs, head coach Emma Kriss is bracing for the learning curve for the coming season.

“I’ve coached before, I just haven’t coached in this district; I’m a teacher in the district so I’ve also never coached at a school where I’m also employed so it’s been interesting because I know a lot of the kids.

“We have a couple of sophomores that are already pretty good, so I’m excited about that,” she detailed. “I know that we have a dedicated team because we’ve had a pretty big turnout at the preseason workouts, and I feel like that’s half the battle, making sure they show up, so that’s not a huge concern. There’s some seniors so there’s some talent and stability”

Hewlett’s defense is expected to be lead by seniors Taylor Amitrano, Olivia Ziarno, Leighe Yona, Sienna LaPaglia and Sophia Gilleeny. Kriss also said those girls have been playing together for years prior, so there is no question about inter-squad chemistry and coordination.

“They’re looking to be a pretty solid unit,” she said.

In the midfield, the Bulldogs (7-7 in 2024) have Krista Lee, who Kriss singled out as having a high lacrosse IQ amongst other leadership-like attributes. Lee scored 44 goals last spring and set up a dozen others. “A very good leader; a team player, she sees the field very well, so having her up and down the field is going to be really beneficial like it has been in the past,” Kriss said.

Expected on attack are a few returners, senior Maeve Williams and junior Kristina O’Rourke. Kriss said that O’Rourke is a player with a high lacrosse IQ like

Lee, so she expects strength and force from her attack team as well.

Lastly, Hewlett will boast a returning goalie as well in Daniella Kotlyar; with her experience in the cage, she’s expecting a strong defensive backbone to carry the team throughout the season.

“[She’s] only getting better and that’s something I’m looking forward too,” Kriss said. “and she’s super smart too.”

GIRLS

April

Krista Lee

Daniel Lankri

By MICHELLE RABINOVICH

The season can’t come fast enough for Gerald Cunningham and the boys’ lacrosse team at Kennedy, which won six games last spring.

“Looking pretty good,” Cunningham said. “We have a bunch of returners from last year, so we’re still running the same system. We did a lot of winter workouts, so that helps with getting into what we need to do, get game ready. We’re in a good spot right now.”

Returning attackers Zach Greenseid and Ryan Califano are helping guide the Cougars in the right direction, according to Cunningham. Greenseid had 15 goals and 22 assists last spring; Califano had 10 goals and 4 helpers.

“They’ve taken a good leadership role so far this year, in regards of doing the right thing in practice and leading by example,” the coach explained.

With all that in mind, a key attacker comes to mind: returner Chase Goldman. Last year he posted 11 goals and 7 assists.

A crucial member is back: the goalie, Jack LaGalia. After a 172-saves season last year, things are a little different: this is probably his swan song. “He knows that he’s probably not playing lacrosse in college, he knows that this is it for him so he’s going all out,” Cunningham spelled out. “This is what we talked about in preseason: how does he want to leave Kennedy High School?”

Cunningham added that he’s already seen improvements from his goalie in both effort and skill between the pipes and is excited to see that throughout the season.

Cunningham is also excited for his face-off guy, CJ Siegler, calling him one of the best guys on the squad.

Elsewhere on the field, he’s excited for Andrew Gaspar, a defender, after seeing him put in double time in the off-season.

“He’s a returning starter,” Cunningham said. “He’s taken a big step up this year, leadership-wise. Vocally, he’s doing a good job, always working hard, always

going full speed in practice.”

Cougars pumped about potential

Higher up in the midfield, Cunningham said that it’s a bit of a revolving door because there’s some new faces, with the likes of Jacob Epstein, RJ Baron, Matthew Sarfati and Jonathan Cohen set to be running the midfield.

Kennedy stays positive despite roster turnover

After a 7-7 season, the Kennedy girls graduated eight seniors, seven of which were starters. This means it’s an uphill battle ahead of them according to head coach Mallory Freely.

Knowing that coming into the season, Freely said that the girls stepping in and stepping up look promising for what’s to come ahead.

For starters, the goalie role is paramount for Kennedy, and this year it’s senior Lauren Piscazzi. “She’s been playing travel most of her life as goalie, she’s committed to SUNY Plattsburgh as goalie; she’s pretty good,” Freely said. “She’s very excited, she’s a great kid.”

Most of the midfield is back, Freely said, so stability ushered in by four-year varsity player and captain Lauren Robinson will go far.

“One of our top scorers and just a do-it-all player for us for four years,” Freely explained. In stark contrast, a new player on the midfield who’s anticipated to have an impact is Mia Mazidelis, an eighth grader.

“She’s so quick, very small but very quick,” Freely said. “Explosive, she’s got great stick skills, she’s just terrific.”

There’s also Jordi Wohlleben, a defender stepping up into a leadership role and running the back end of the field.

“She’s an energizer bunny, doesn’t ever tire out, and always gets us where we need to be,” Freely said. “Good scorer as well.”

Likewise, in the leadership role but on the attacking

side of the field is Nikki Ayoub, a senior. Alongside her and a huge returning component is freshman attacker Nicole Donahue, as the team’s leading scorer from last season.

The rest of the attack line is looking attractive, with rising junior varsity player Kristen Litchenstein coming into the varsity ranks. A lefty attacker, Freely is hoping to put her in a comfortable spot on the field where she will be able to perform as well as she did for the JV squad in seasons past.

Lauren Robinson

CJ Siegler

LONG BEACH

By PATRICK MOQUIN

Long Beach boys’ lacrosse head coach Jason Pearl believes the Marines belong in deeper waters.

Despite several near-misses last season, the determined Pearl believes that a promotion is within reach.

Within Class B, the five strongest teams are classified in League 1. Long Beach is one of eight teams placed in League 2. Last season, it came within a goal of beating Roslyn and Carey, both League 1 rivals. Pearl thinks that the Marines can turn the tide going forward.

“I’m looking to try to beat a team in that top division,” Pearl said. “Roslyn, for us, is a big game. I can’t tell you how big it is. I’m not satisfied just beating the people below us. I’m looking to get one from the top.”

To earn a coveted spot in League 1, several young players will have to immediately step in as starters. Pearl is especially excited to unleash sophomore midfielder Brody Riedel.

“He’s playing lights out,” Pearl said. “Last year was his first year with us at the varsity level. Every time he stepped on the field, he scored a goal. It was limited, but now, I don’t think he’s going to come off the field.”

Pearl also said that junior Charlie Conway and sophomore Cian Donaghy are returning to the field stronger. In order to prepare them and others to win now, senior defenseman Wyatt Katzen has taken a massive leadership role.

“He’s like having another coach on the field,” Pearl said of Katzen.

Katzen will lead a fresh unit in front of All-Conference goalie Aiden Derupo. The junior is well on his way to becoming one of the most formidable goalies in Class B, and he will be especially important while promising backup Jax Wagner recovers from an injury.

The Marines offer sky-high potential, and developing players will be reinforced by unflinching support off

Marines set sights on breakthrough

the field. Pearl described freshman Danny Miller as the ultimate glue guy and expects him to electrify teammates on the sideline throughout the season.

Long Beach knocking on county title door

In three straight seasons, Long Beach girls’ lacrosse has lost to Garden City in the Nassau Class B final. It’s rare for a team to have such a clear target entering a season, and the Marines are reloading yet again.

“We’re right there with them, but it’s a hump we haven’t gotten over yet,” Long Beach head coach Rachel Ray said. “We’ve beaten every team in Nassau County except them. Our goal is always nothing short of a county championship.”

Entering the Class B postseason last season as the No. 2 seed with an 8-7 overall record, Long Beach proved plainly superior to other Class B rivals but came up short again to the Trojans, losing 9-2.

The walls keep getting higher, but the Marines are prepared with a loaded roster of eight returning starters. Senior midfielder Delaney Chernoff is undeniably taking charge after earning All-County honors as a junior. “She’s a dominant lefty dodger, one of our best shooters,” Ray said. “She led in points last year and she’s definitely a leader in how she plays.”

Long Beach’s attack may be relatively young, but the group is relying on its speed to make an immediate impact. Ray said that juniors Skylar Kilfeather and Sienna Warren are growing together, with Kilfeather demanding more and more defensive attention while Warren develops into a lethal finisher.

Juniors Emma O’Donnell and Alex Backlin are expected to provide extremely tough matchups to lagging defenders, while speedy sophomores Marianna Chimienti and Reilly Amorosa should learn quickly as younger core members.

The Marines’ young, dynamic offense is comple-

mented by a highly experienced defense. Seniors Taryn Morris, Franky DeCicco and Tara Hagen are leading by example through tenacious, physical play.

Junior Ella Thornton and sophomore Anala Teemer round out a strong defensive core in front of senior goalie Saoirse Feerick. Sophomore Fiona Lynch has also been impressive in the cage, and Ray anticipates that she could earn playing time in a reserve role.

GIRLS March

Delaney Chernoff

Aiden Derupo

LYNBROOK

Owls motivated after tough ending

By PATRICK MOQUIN

Lynbrook boys lacrosse is looking for a fresh start, but the past can be a hard thing to shake.

The Owls are coming back stronger and more experienced after their 2024 season ended in a brutal overtime loss to Seaford in the Class C quarterfinals.

“You’re always thinking about how you lost that one in such dramatic fashion,” head coach Bill Luzzi said. “It certainly gives you motivation, but that game is not until later in the season. Not thinking about Seaford yet. We’ve got one game at a time, one practice at a time.”

The quarterfinals loss after a 10-8 regular season may not have been an ideal end, but many of the juniors on that team are now seniors assuming more significant roles in the offense.

Senior midfielder Jack LaBarbera is the leader of this new talented core for Lynbrook. Contributing 30 points as a junior, he is in line to do even more as he steps in for graduated midfielder Michael Hendrickson as the Owls’ offensive leader. He will be joined by senior midfielder Luke Dantona, who has found success exploiting defenses as a secondary option.

Lynbrook’s attack will be led by senior Bennett Votano, who is returning as a more confident player after quietly ending last season as one of the Owls’ leading scorers. He will be joined by seniors Eddie Stradowski and Nate Greenfeld, who earned valuable playing time in a crowded offense last year.

Senior Chris Paladino was an All-Conference defender last year and will now get the chance to lead his own unit. He is joined by hard-working seniors Billy Algozzini and Frankie DeMonte, as well as junior Liam Gallagher, a midfielder trying a new position. They will play in front of senior goalie Luca Palleschi, who is entering his first year as a starter in the cage.

As if the upperclassmen aren’t providing enough, Luzzi said that several younger players are making

serious bids for playing time. Sophomores Jake Zols and Patrick Algozzini are both showing promise on offense, while freshman James Pisano is flashing profound allaround talent for his age.

Lynbrook brings plenty of talent

For Lynbrook’s girls program, the 2025 season will be one in which the entire team firmly enters a new era. Second-year head coach Joe LaBarbera will lead a strong group of seniors intent on going the distance in Class C.

“We told our seniors that they have eight weeks,” LaBarbera said. “They set the tone for not only this year, but years moving forward, and I think they’ve really adopted that.”

In his first season stepping in for longtime head coach Vin Tetro, LaBarbera earned a 7-10 overall record. The Owls were relatively young and had to battle back from several injuries over the course of the season. They still managed to make the Class C playoffs but lost to eventual county champion Wantagh, 6-3, in the quarterfinals.

A small army of Lynbrook players that were once developing juniors are now seniors taking leadership roles. The final score of that quarterfinals loss is seared into their collective identity. These Owls are quickly coming into their own in all areas, and senior midfielder Brooke Mazzei is leading the way.

“She’s really just a girl who can do everything,” LaBarbera said. “Whenever we need a goal, a defensive stop, a [ground ball], she’s the girl that we look to.”

Mazzei, who’ll play at Temple University, has been a major part of the offense for years and is now its unquestionable star. Last season, she contributed 48 points and is stepping up as a leader off the field as well. Talented junior midfielders Sophie Deifel and Maggie Mattera will gain valuable experience playing beside her.

The Owls’ attack is led by seniors Olivia Palleschi, Penelope Yaker and Luci Miata, who have developed highly

productive rapport after years working together. LaBarbera noted that Palleschi and Yaker often set one another up for scoring opportunities, while Miata poses a profoundly dangerous threat beyond the high-scoring pair.

Sophomore Delia Kirkpatrick will step up as starting goalie in 2025 after successfully splitting time in the cage with graduated player Mary Costello last season. She will have an experienced unit in front of her, with junior defenders Payton Stalter and Addison DiFiore preparing to assume massive roles to protect their developing goalie.

GIRLS

April

Olivia Palleschi

Jack LaBarbera

MacARTHUR

Last line of defense leads Generals

By MARC BERMAN

MacArthur, coming off a playoff berth and 9-8 record, is led by stout junior goalie Caden Cullen, who split time last season.

Now Cullen has the job full time with Scott Nelson transferring to Garden City. And that’s the change the Generals needed.

“He should’ve been the starter all year,’’ head coach John Nessler said. “He’s a very good lacrosse player, high IQ, excellent with his outlet passes.’’

The coach calls Cullen “the anchor of the defense.’’ He posted a 63.3 save percentage. “There’s a lot of communication,’’ Nessler said. “They love playing in front of him.’’

The premier sniper is 6-foot-4 Gavin Thompson (20 goals,14 assists). He’s committed to Flagler College. “He’s very athletic, makes guys miss and shoots very well on the run,’’ Nessler said. “He’s a dynamic player.’’

The coaching staff wants to see Thompson put even more time into the sport. “He’s on the up and up,’’ Nessler said.

As longstick middle, few are better than junior Timothy Patrey, who snared 48 ground balls in 2024. “He’s very aggressive, very good positioning, very good athlete running the field up and down and has welltimed checks,’’ Nessler said. “He’s a great athlete on the field for us.’’

Junior Anthony Mulieri is another long stickman who provides the defensive balance. As for more goalscoring, junior James McGee can spark the offense after scoring 13 goals and 4 assists.

Seniors Jesse Seder, a defender, and attacker Ronan Donnelly (8 points in 2024) are also being counted on. But the the junior class will make or break the season.

“This will be a young, but somewhat experienced team,’’ Nessler said. “Many new faces are playing key roles. The young players will have to mature quickly.’’

With a distinguished goalie, Nessler can see

the Generals getting past the first round. Last year, MacArthur was bounced in the first round by Long Beach. “We’re definitely a playoff calibre team and hoping to get a little further this year,’’ Nessler said.

Strong junior group sparks MacArthur

While Dan Agovino is stepping down as North Shore football head coach after 23 seasons, he isn’t going anywhere on the MacArthur girls lacrosse sidelines.

Agovino, a 1991 MacArthur graduate, will begin his 10th season with the Generals and is looking for a big year because of a wealth of experienced juniors, including the sensational twin-sisters defensive duo of goalie Abby Clarkson and low defender Olivia Clarkson.

MacArthur was knocked out in the Nassau County quarterfinals in 2024.

“MacArthur is my alma-mater and I take a lot of pride in what we’re doing,’’ Agovino said. “It’s always exciting to be on the same field you played on. This group of current juniors have been together for a long time. They’re the core. They now have a lot of experience behind them. We’re going to see what they can accomplish.’

An All-County goalie last year as a sophomore after making 151 saves, Abby Clarkson is pegged for another large season. She committed to Youngstown State. “She’s a special goalie,’’ Agovino said. “She’s equally as good out of the cage clearing the ball as she is in the crease, she kept us in every game as we made jump to Conference 2. She is a leader on the field.’’

Her twin sister, Oliva, is there to help. “They play right beside each other,’’ Agovino said. “They’re both very competitive and with each other. It translates to tough, hard-nosed defense on the field. We play tough defense but this year we’re looking to get over the hump offensively.’’

Juniors Caleigh O’Shea and two-way midfielder Eva Larkin are expected to whip the ball into the net.

O’Shea was All-Conference with 26 goals.

Committed to Drexel, Larkin had 26 goals and 9 assists for a team-leading 35 points. “They have a lot of experience,’’ Agovino said. “We’re expecting big things from them’’

A top defender is Riley Fanning, assigned to the opponent’s top scorer but who scored 4 goals herself as an All-Conference player. Senior attacker Emily Flanagan should produce, too.

GIRLS

April

Photos by Jeff Wilson

Eve Larkin

Caden Cullen

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The 2024 Malverne/East Rockaway boys’ lacrosse season was similar to the previous year with a 5-11 record while allowing almost 12 goals a game. But the Rockin’ Mules had a decent finish with four wins in the final seven games, so there is optimism that that positivity could carry over into this spring.

An eight-game losing streak that immediately followed a season-opening victory seemingly derailed the boys’ season by mid-April and the Rockin’ Mules did lose their second and third-leading scorers to graduation. Ready to fill in are some underclassmen that have piqued the interest of head coach Andrew Biscardi as he continues to build the program.

“I think it’s more of a rebuilding year,” Biscardi said. “With the division that we’re in this year, it’s going to be tough to try and make a playoff run. So, it’s just getting those younger guys to buy into the system.”

Those players include newcomers such as sophomore midfielder Liam Whitehouse and junior attackers Edwin Espinosa and Aidan Myers. Returnee Christian Page is coming off an 11-goal campaign and senior Hudson Arnold (8-1-9) and junior Jayden Jungra could provide more offensive depth.

If those players continue to develop as expected, it would ease the pressure off of junior Matthew Delligatti, who earned All-Conference honors last season after posting varsity career highs in goals (37) and points (57). He was also second on the squad with 26 ground balls.

“He definitely loves the game,” Biscardi said. “You can tell the passion he has when he’s on the field. Hopefully, he can get 37 more like last year.”

Senior long sick middie Emmanuel Adeyemi will again anchor a defense that also features second-year varsity players Anthony Grimaldi and Jethro Jacquet and junior defensive midfielders Stefan Drakopoulos and Timothy Yagnisis.

MALVERNE/EAST ROCK

Rockin’ Mules excited about rebuild

Senior Brian Christodoulou is now the full-time starter in goal after splitting time with two others last season. He stopped just about half of the shots he faced, including 12 in a one-goal victory over West Hempstead last April 19.

Chemistry key for Malverne/ East Rockaway

Personnel losses and five one-goal defeats proved too much for the girls’ team to overcome in 2024 as they fell to 2-9 following an impressive 10-2 showing the previous spring. The Rockin’ Mules again lost their leading scorer from the previous year to graduation, but things may not be as bleak as they seem.

There is a nice mix of seniors and underclassmen on this year’s roster and head coach Casey Capece has already seen chemistry develop during training camp.

“Both sides of the 30, I think, are going to be strong because we have those returners that are coming back,” she said. “I have some ninth graders that are looking to start, and I feel like the leadership ability that I have of the upperclassmen are going to be able to take these girls under their wing and direct them out on the field.”

Junior Makayla Boubert enjoyed a breakout season last spring with 22 goals and 25 points, with half of the tallies coming in May, and has already taken on a leadership role at practice.

“She’s incredible,” Capece said. “She works so hard [and] she’s so kind to the girls. Even at practice, we’re trying to run this play where we set a pick at some point and she saw that the girls weren’t setting the pick the right way, so she went over and took the time to explain. That was awesome.”

Freshman Mia Vetere scored 13 goals last year and Capece believes sophomore midfielder Colleen Lynch will get plenty of scoring opportunities as well. Capece is also hoping that seniors Nicole Buzzetta and Valentina Proto will also make an impact as well as

eighth grader and midfielder-defenseman hybrid Ariana Chinchilla.

Senior Sofia Croce has a strong lacrosse IQ on defense and will receive support from freshman Angie Williams and sophomore Kaitlyn Lynch. Goaltender Eliana Morant stopped over 70 shots as an eighth grader last season, including three games in double digits, and is adept at challenging opposing shooters.

Makayla Boubert

Matt Delligatti

Theresa Ahern | Sandi Asip | Kris Beccali | Vincent Bonica | Robert Breidenbach

Dina Ca rey | Rob Carter | John Coughlin | J. Brittany Devarso | Dottie English

Thomas Florio | Debbie Ford | Delia Frank | Ann Frew | Antoinette Gandolfo

Deborah Gerbore | Barbara Goldfeder | Patti Goldstein | Regina Hall

Evie Macaluso | Mary Lou Marquardt | Regina McCutchan | Maureen Merkl

Deborah Musso | Nancy O’Brien | Roberta O’Connell | Carol O’Leary

Janet Otis | Hilary Rosser | Bob Russo | Silvia Rowney | Anthony Scorsese

Donald Shea | Lisa Thornton | Jeanne Trantel | Pam Trimes | Janet Vaughan

Kelly Ventimiglia | Carol Warren

By DYLAN BUTLER

After nine years as the JV coach, Kevin Catalano has taken the reigns of the Massapequa boys’ varsity lacrosse team. He’s gifted a talented group with a bevy of returning starters, a squad preseason picked to finish atop Nassau Class A by the league coaches.

The pressure is on.

“It’s a privilege to have this much pressure on us and to be the one-seed,” Catalano said. “It’s a privilege to play for a team like this. It’s a privilege and an opportunity for me to step into a program that has had so much success in the past.”

A year after a 10-9 season that ended with a 7-5 loss to rival Farmingdale in the Class A final, Pequa has high expectations. With an experienced and deep squad, Catalano wants the Chiefs to play fast offensively and aggressive defensively.

“I want them to be able to dodge from all over the field, not limit themselves to being attackmen or midfielders, but being able to be comfortable dodging from all different positions on the field, having different movement off ball,” he said. “I’m kind of calling it a positionless offense, a fast-paced offense.”

That offense will be paced by three returning starters on attack in sophomores Rocco Spallina and Nolan Wieczorek and junior Tyler Byrnes. Spallina had a teamhigh 43 points (19 goals, 24 assists) as a freshman and brings a tremendous lacrosse IQ and quick hands.

Wieczorek, who had 21 goals last year, is crafty and powerful and can dodge from anywhere and Byrnes, a UMass commit who had 21 goals and 19 assists a year ago, is a lanky lefty who can also dodge from multiple spots.

The senior-laden first midfield unit includes Matt Pettis, a standout defensive midfielder committed to the University of Albany, star football quarterback Joey Diesso, who will play lacrosse at Adelphi and Brandon Perticone, who Catalano thinks will “shock a lot of

MASSAPEQUA

Expectations remain high for Chiefs

people” after missing his junior season to injury.

Also back is a two-year starter in goal in senior Michael Jannotte, an All-County pick committed to Stevens Tech, as well as defenders Will Krieg and Justin Farrell, an All-County selection as a sophomore last year.

Massapequa defending L.I. champions

The Massapequa girls were agonizingly close to making history last year, losing to Fairport, 10-9, on a free position goal with 29 seconds left in regulation of the New York State Class A semifinals.

That came a year after losing to the same Fairport team in overtime in the state championship.

So these Chiefs, especially those who have been on varsity for multiple seasons, have unfinished business as the 2025 season begins.

“Getting so close, this group, especially the senior group — a lot of them have been on this team for three, four years — they’re just itching to win that first state championship,” second-year head coach Brendan Gaghan said. “They’ve been there, they’ve had the heartbreak, and these girls want to go out on top.”

The strength is in a midfield that has four returning starters, including three college-bound seniors in Jacksonville-commit Micaela Gillis, Isabella Grosso, a Loyola recruit who scored the winner in last year’s Long Island championship, Siena commit Cassidy Morrow, as well as sophomore Natalie Byrns.

“They’re the engine that makes this team go,” he said. “As they go, our team goes.”

On attack, Clemson commit Savanna Appleton and Paige Garguilo, a two-year captain bound for Jacksonville, are returning starters, and Grace Hoffman, a Johns Hopkins commit, will fill the feeder void left by the graduation of Allison Petrullo.

Olivia DeTommaso and Kali Humann will also see time on attack.

“She’s the type of leader that the kids look up to and they all want to play with Paige,” Gaghan said of Garguilo. “She plays like every time she steps on the

field it’s the last day. It doesn’t matter if it’s a game or practice. She’s always playing hard.”

The back end is where Massapequa has the most turnover, and it’s where freshman goaltender Emily Fitzgerald will lead in front of Merrimack commit Kiersten Farrell, Sacred Heart-bound Reilly Cereghino, Mercy-bound Molly Solnick, and Peyton Wildes.

“She really pushes kids to be better. She’s very vocal in the cage,” Gaghan said of Fitzgerald. “She is amazing between the pipes, great at communicating, just an all-around phenomenal goalie.”

Micayla Gillis

Michael Janotte

Pirates look to build off solid 2024

By DAVID WEINGRAD

Despite losing 15 seniors to graduation, the Pirates will return two of their top scorers as they look to build on a strong 11-6 season and a trip to the county quarterfinals a year ago.

Finishing close games will be key, said second-year head coach Ryan Walsh. Last year, four of their losses were by three goals or less.

Senior midfielder Owen Heller is coming off an AllCounty season where he tallied 32 goals and 36 assists and will be their centerpiece once again. “He’s a guy that’s all over the place,” said Walsh. “He does it all for us.”

Senior Alessandro Walaitis is coming off a 47-goal season. The lefty attackman, who earned Honorable AllCounty, excels by winning one-on-one matchups. “He’s a great mixture of finesse and strength,” said Walsh. “He scores goals for us no matter what.”

Junior Braeden Kehoe won draws 69 percent of the time last year and will be featured again this year as a faceoff specialist. “He’s got the full reins this year to take over and be one of the top guys in the county in faceoff wins,” said his coach.

On the defensive side, returning All-Conference junior Jack Weber will regularly matchup against the opposing team’s top player and seniors Matt Biscardi and Nick Gampero also add a strong physical presence. With the loss of depth comes opportunity, and one senior who will step into a bigger role offensively is midfielder Cameron Lubrano, who Walsh believes is ready to take his game to the next level.

Manning the net will be either Senior Nick Lemus or sophomore Vinnie Ciro, who were battling it out in the final days of preseason, and both who will be important pieces this season.

A well-rounded game, said Walsh, is key to the team’s success. “We have the guys on offense to score,” he

said. “But I always believe if you have great defense and a great goalie, as long as you win by one, that’s all that matters.”

Chemistry drives Mepham’s goals

With a core group of seniors who have been teammates in the Mepham girls’ program for the better part of six years, playing together transcends chemistry – it’s second nature.

The culmination of these decorated high school careers could result in a special season after they advanced to the Class B semifinals last season. “We’ve developed that chemistry where things don’t even need to be said anymore,” said head coach Kristen Mogavero.

Seniors Grave Skulevic and Sierra Barbosa are a perfect example of this. Skulevic, a returning All-County midfielder entering her sixth year in the program, is a complete two-way player who other teams often revolve their defense around. Barbosa, an All-Conference attacker, possesses an uncanny field vision who knows when to fire away and when to set up her teammates. “They know each other’s play styles and feel where the other one is,” said Mogavero.

Behind them, All-Conference senior midfielder Leah Smith is a scrappy midfielder who never gives up on a ground ball, often frustrating opposing defenses.

Identical twin defenders Gabbie and Maggie Fitzgerald play such a similar game that Mogavero joked it’s taken four years to definitively tell them apart. The seniors have been yearslong anchors in the backfield, bringing an advanced on-field IQ.

The team will receive a boost with the return of senior attacker Hailey Honerkamp, who is fully recovered from a torn ACL and provides a vital lefty shot on offense. She is part of another sister pairing with freshman starting midfielder Lexi Honerkamp.

Keira Desmond will take over at keeper full time after splitting time last season, and Mogavero said it’s a challenge she’s ready for, having proved her mettle in big games last year.

“I just want them to have fun and do what they do,” said Mogavero, musing on her seniors’ final year together. On the prospect of it culminating with a fairy tale ending of a conference championship, she added: “I think it would be a good way to end it. I’m so excited for them.”

April

GIRLS

April

Alessandro Walatis

Sierra Barbosa

OCEANSIDE

By JUSTIN JOSEPH

Oceanside’s boys’ lacrosse team may be moving up to the power conference, but head coach Mike Santisteban feels it is ready to embrace the challenge.

“ Our league games will be a lot more difficult,” Santisteban said “This will be a great challenge to get us more prepared for the playoffs this year.”

The Sailors went 11-6 overall last season which solidified them as the No. 5 seed in the playoffs. There they fell to No. 4 Port Washington in the Class A semifinals.

This year Santisteban is looking to use the strength of schedule to iron things out before the playoffs begin.

The Sailors’ most talented player is senior defenseman Dylan Bender, who had 41 groundballs and 32 takeaways last season. They look for him to set the tone for them on a daily basis. “He’s everything you want in a defensive player he is the total package,” Santisteban said.

Another key on the back end of the field is senior goalie Sam Feldbaum. He recorded 47 saves and a save rate of 60 percent which is expected to only increase since last season he split the position.

In the midfield, the leaders are juniors Ethan Famularo who had 16 points (nine goals and seven assists) and Ethan Silber who had 25 points ( 15 goals and 10 assists ) to add to what shapes up to be a balanced attack.

“If we need a goal we would probably put it in his stick,” Santisteban said in regards to Silber.

On attack, junior Brady Nardone had 40 points (25 goals 15 assists) and senior midfielder Andrew Dato had 28 goals and seven assists to add to the offensive output.

Returning faceoff man Dillon Tevter is expected to continue to help his team in that aspect and gain more possessions against tough opponents.

Sailors elevate to power conference

According to Santisteban the Sailors are looking to take an “iron sharpens iron” approach and practice hard against each other to get ready for the difficult road ahead.

Roster turnover challenges Oceanside

Oceanside’s girls’ team will be looking at brand new faces in new places.

It has the difficult task of replacing nine starters from last seasons and leaning on new additions, as well as returning players whom had lesser roles last spring, for more production throughout the campaign.

“ We only have three returning starters from last year,” head coach Ralph Montera Jr. said. “It’s a lot to replace, so we need to build more consistency throughout the season.”

The Sailors finished 9-3 in Nassau Class A and were defeated by one goal in the closing seconds to Farmingdale in the quarterfinals of the playoffs. They were the No.5 seed.

Now Oceanside will be looking towards senior midfielder Leigha Zaman to lead the charge as she is the top returning goal scorer from 2024, finding the back of the net 37 times.

Senior defender Alexa Temple is its top defensive player and usually takes on the task of shutting down the other team’s best offensive threat.

Senior attacker Kaylin Harrington, who had 16 goals and 11 assists last season, is returning along with junior attacker Sydney Abbott had 24 goals and 21 assists to lead the way in total points with 45.

Junior midfielder Julia Morrison scored seven goals but the coach is hoping to have more contribution as she moves into a starting role. “Last year she played every single game for us but more just filled a role. This year we will be expecting a major leap forward,” Montera Jr. said.

Senior goalie Julianna Ewashko is the leading candi-

date to be in net for the Sailors, but is being pushed by some of her younger counterparts.

Oceanside will also be getting back senior midfielder Sam Gemmo, who is returning coming off a foot injury causing her to miss the entire 2024 season. “She does everything defense, offense, she does a little bit of everything for us,” Montera Jr. said

Montera Jr. noted he doesn’t expect the Sailors to automatically click to start the season, but hopefully they begin to jell by the time the playoffs role around.

GIRLS

April

Photos by Michelle Ebel

Alexa Temple

Dylan Butler

PLAINEDGE

By MARC BERMAN

This marks the first full season for Dan Achartz as Plainedge boys head coach. Achatz took over midseason for Joe Ancona.

Achatz, Ancona’s assistant the past three years, boasts a superstar attacker in Owen Donnellan, who is getting a full ride to Stony Brook after scoring 43 goals and 24 assists last season.

If Donnellan is drawing mounds of attention, Plainedge will rely on a talented sophomore core trio of Dom Agovino, midfielder Brady Kelly and Casey Auer. All three are pegged as college prospects.

Agovino (20-14-34/22 groundballs) played attacker last season but the coach is moving him to midfield. “He’s a tough gritty kid,’’ Achatz said. “He filled in at attack but will play midfield. He’s a groundball machine and gives a tough presence to the midfield. And he can finish the ball as well. He’s a two-way player.’’

But Donnellan is the leading man. “He’ll carry the load of the offense but he’ll also create for us off the ball,’’ Achatz said. “He’s going to get doubled but a lot of offense will work around him.”

Plainedge’s second star is senior defenseman Matt Chadwick, who committed to Marist College after being All-County honorable mention as a junior. Chadwick’s job is to lock down the opposing team’s sniper.

Senior Kieran Judge, who will play at Molloy College, is another stout defenseman. Known for his relentlessness, Jaxson Gawronski is a defensive stopper. The offense also will be bolstered by Brian and Kevin Keveaney, who combined for 50 points.

While the defense is the strength, goalie is a question mark with first-year starter, senior Christian DeJuana, filling the big shoes of graduated Vin Fuentes. Last season, Plainedge finished 10-8 and was eliminated in the second round by eventual county champion Wantagh with the interim staff. By being in

Red Devils face grueling schedule

the Power C conference and boasting a new training facility, the North Massapequa school has an automatic playoff berth.

Achatz loaded up its schedule with eight teams in Long Island’s top 25. “That hasn’t happened before,’’ Achatz said. “We have a good team this year.’’

Dynamic duo leads Plainedge

Madison Wade and Lia Villari are the “Frick and Frack” of Nassau County lacrosse.

The two Plainedge senior midfielders are ready to rock again and make the Red Devils a conference title contender. The Red Devils finished 11-5, 9-3 in conference last season, which put them in a three-way tie for second place.

Wade and Villari have each committed to Pace University and they will room together. First, Wade and Villari will lead the Red Devils - captains since sophomores. “Together, they are massive powerhouse for our team,’’ coach Kristin Susko said.

The duo perform different things in the middle. Wade could be seen doing great work on both sides of the ball and exploded for 36 goals in 2024.

“She’s an incredible defender,’’ said Susko, in her third season and second stint leading Plainedge. “She’s between the 30’s and leads our transition.’’

Villari, who had 21 goals, 12 assists, takes the draws and uses her 5-8 size to baffle the opposition. “She’s got great height, great speed and she loves to dodge and shoot,’’ Susko said.

Sophomore Peyton Wise, the only returning attacker, is also prolific with the stick after a 24-goal freshman campaign. “She has a big presence on offense, like the quarterback, and plays with great confidence,’’ Susko said.

To make things even brighter in North Massapequa, Plainedge’s four defenders are returning. Three are seniors in Mallory Auer, Alessia Giuffrida and Giulia Giuffrida. Sophomore Giovanna Pannitti rounds out the

fearsome foursome.

Like the boys team in goal, the Plainedge girls hope a first-year starter, senior Jill Mauersberger, can hold down the fort in front of its staunch defense. Plainedge lost its goalkeeper, Demetra Sideridis, playing at NYU.

“The goal would be to finish at the top of our conference,’’ Susko said. “They’ve been working incredibly hard to do that.’’

Photos by Karen Millindorf

Lia Villari

Matt Chadwich

SEAFORD

Vikings sailing with the big dogs

By ANDREW COEN

Seaford boys lacrosse is taking another step this spring in the program’s effort to complete at the highest level.

The Vikings moved to Conference I and will tackle a grueling regular season schedule against Nassau County’s top teams. Tenth-year Seaford head coach Brian Horner said being part of a 16-team power league with teams with big lacrosse traditions like Garden City, Cold Spring Harbor, Farmingdale and South Side will serve as solid preparation for the playoffs where the Vikings are looking to build off last’s appearance in the Class C semifinals.

“We’re up there with the big dogs,” Horner said. “We’re going to have a real competitive schedule.”

The offense returns junior midfielder Brian Falk, an Army West Point commit who earned All-County honors last year.

Sophomore attackman Peter Barone leads the attack unit after a stellar freshman season in which he earned All-Conference accolades Senior attackman Will Peterson and junior midfielder Jack Rosen will also be focal points of the offense.

Senior George Casha will anchor the close-defense with the Adelphi commit also taking on a big leadership role in the locker room as well. Sophomore Paul DiBlasi is another returning starter on defense with James Branch and Michael Calvacca also back after receiving significant minutes last season as freshmen.

Senior goalie Jon Lent will start in net for a second straight season. Lent recorded nine saves in Seaford’s 11-10 win against Lynbrook in the Class C quarterfinals last year.

Who would take the faceoffs was undetermined entering the season, but Horner said he hopes senior Kyle O’Hagan can step up into the role after working hard with plenty of training in the offseason.

After the first week of practice, Horner was already

encouraged by the cohesion the team was displaying.

“There’s some really nice team chemistry coming along pretty quickly in the season,” Horner said. “Every day there’s a little improvement in the team aspects and you can also see with the individual player too that there’s just a little improvement each day.”

Seaford on the rise in top conference

Entering its third season in Conference I, Seaford girls lacrosse is looking to continue the program’s strides competing against the top teams.

The Vikings doubled their regular season win total in Conference I last year with victories against North Shore and Port Washington. Seaford, which was seeded last of the 12 team power league in 2023, enters the 2025 season ranked ninth ahead of North Shore, Port Washington and Farmingdale.

Seaford suffered a heartbreaking end to the 2024 campaign with a 9-8 overtime loss to North Shore in the Class C quarterfinals that has served as motivation for the returning players, according to third-year Seaford head coach Krisa Ancona.

“The game could have gone in so many different directions at so many different times and It’s definitely something that we’ve talked about that we need to use as fuel to get that win back and hopefully more wins in the conference this season,” Acona said.

The Vikings bring back plenty of weapons on offense led by senior attacker Jess Grzelaczyk, who was also key in giving the team extra possessions on offense with 99 draw control wins. Grzelaczyk has developed chemistry near the net with fellow senior attacker Sophia Santella.

“They have a very good two man game and they see each other very well on the field,” said Ancona of Grzelaczyk and Santella.

Sophomore attacker Katelynn Tuohy also emerged as a goal-scoring threat last year and tallied three goals in the playoff defeat to North Shore. The midfield features

scoring options in sophomore Madison O’Hagan, who has been on varsity since eighth grade, and Kelly Harrington, who got stepped up playing time last year as a freshman.

The defense is anchored by senior Ashley Tuohy, who has been on varsity since her freshman season. Tuohy leads a defensive unit that also includes junior Cameron Calderaro and senior Sara Rodman. Sophomore goalie Sarah Ulzheimer will patrol the net for a second straight season.

April

GIRLS

March

Photos by Karen Millindorf

Jessica Grzelaczyk

Brian Falk

NBy BRIAN KACHARABA

SEWANHAKA

Ravens hope to soar to playoffs

Now that the losing is finally behind them, the Sewanhaka boys’ lacrosse team is thinking playoffs.

After a winless 2023, the Ravens rebounded to win six games last spring, including a 4-3 mark in the last seven contests that featured their first three-game winning streak in three years. Many of those players have returned, but a move to Conference 2 will pose a challenge for the team that has postseason aspirations.

“If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t have put us in a higher conference,” third-year head coach Connor Horl said. “Because of our youth, we’re kind of a wild card, but I think that if that youth does what I believe they can do, that people will be shocked. People, to an extent, were shocked last year even though we didn’t make the playoffs.”

The Ravens boast a balanced scoring triumvirate of seniors Steven Ortiz and Kevin Parapar, who tied for the team lead with 14 goals last spring, and 2023 AllConference junior A.J. Ayau, who was just behind at 13.

“Kevin and Steven, they’ve been with me since day one as sophomores,” Horl said. “They’ve been right there with me doing stuff and working hard and I expect them to be leaders also.”

Senior Lucas Lievano had a couple of multi-goal games in 2024 and finished with eight overall. Sophomore brothers Jawad and Mahmood Kamal are hybrid attackers-midfielders whom Horl is extremely high on.

“They’re both going to have a huge impact for us,” he said.

Long stick middie Hallelujah Agesin, an All-Conference performer last year, will miss the start of the season because of an injury, but senior Nathan Bal is a strong defender who will guard the opposition’s top player and is adept at intercepting passes. Long sticker Joseph Balletta and defensive middies Deo Uzagir and Anderson Campos-Torres provide depth at the back end.

Senior Jeff Conors now has the goaltending job to himself after splitting time last year, when he stopped about 60 percent of his shots.

Sewanhaka continues building process

The young girls’ team endured some growing pains in 2023, with just one victory in 13 tries. To make matters worse, the Ravens’ only two double-digit scorers from last season graduated, which could result in another year of development as the core continues to take shape.

With no JV team, Sewanhaka was forced to play a handful of freshmen in a baptism-by-fire scenario. But that core is already showing signs of jelling during training camp, leaving third-year head coach Deirdre McIntyre optimistic that her team could put a few more games in the win column.

“We are definitely an underclassmen-heavy program,” she said. “They’re going to have to get some experience. But we do have some really strong players that will stand out despite most of the team being inexperienced.”

The Ravens do boast some talented seniors in Janiya Grant, who is the team’s top returning scorer with 11 goals, Gabriella Dawson, a converted defenseman who chipped in offensively up front, and Layla Davis, a midfielder who could also venture near the opposing net. McIntyre expects Grant to be the team’s top weapon on offense while also providing defense and leadership.

“Janiya will absolutely inherit the captain role,” McIntyre said. “She’s really solid on defense. She’s such an athlete and important to have in not just a runner, but her lacrosse IQ.”

Athena Thomaidis is a coachable player who is already showing more confidence in training camp and could emerge as a bigger offensive threat. Fellow sophomore Sophia Guiterrez has a “nice, quick shot,” according to McIntyre, with an agility that could cause

problems for opposing defenses.

Senior Erin Norrby is a solid defender who will lead the back end both vocally and by example and sophomore Jaia Kelsey is a hard worker who should also contribute defensively.

Sophomore goaltender Kelsey Lyons impressed with her quickness and ability to challenge shooters, resulting in 117 saves last spring. That included 11 in the Ravens’ 5-4 win over Great Neck South last April 4.

Janiya Grant

Lucas Lievano

By TONY BELLISSIMO

ISOUTH SIDE

Cyclones off historic 2024 ride

good goalies.”

t usually takes a few weeks for South Side boys’ lacrosse coach to turn the page on a season and look ahead to the next, but that hasn’t been the case since the Cyclones captured state, Long Island and Nassau Class B championships last spring.

“I still to this day think often about last season,” DiPietro said. “It was like a movie script with so many different layers to it. We had 27 seniors and they went out with a bang.”

South Side, which defeated Manhasset 12-10 in the county final, East Islip 12-9 in the L.I. title game, capped its storybook season with a 12-11 overtime victory over Yorktown in the state final. The coach’s son, then-senior Cole DiPietro, netted the winner.

Turning the page and now in Class C, the Cyclones return three players who played in varsity games a year ago including All-County midfielder Cullen Lynch. He had a hat trick in all three championship games as a junior and totaled 53 on the year to go with a dozen assists.

“He’ll be our guy and No. 1 on everyone’s scouting report,” DiPietro said.

Senior defensive midfielders Michael Benfante and Brayden Gamberg also return. Benfante is super athletic and could see time at the offense end to aid the transition attack. Gamberg is a long pole with size, quickness and physicality.

Replacing superstar faceoff specialist Michael Melkonian is sophomore Alec Notaro, who battled the former throughout practice last season and will look to carry the torch.

In goal, replacing Michael Muscarella are sophomore Jack DISarlo, who was a big reason the JV team went 13-1 and knocked off Garden City and Manhasset, and senior Cole Schiefelbein. “Both are going to get early action and we’ll see if one jumps out and earns the job,” DiPietro said. “It’s a nice problem to have two

The attack is unproven with senior Conor Sheehan and sophomores Cole Perna and Luke Mullen in the mix. Defensively, there’s no shortage of depth with juniors Jack Mullin and Jon Muscarella, and seniors John Schmidt and John Kuffa topping the depth chart in camp.

Title hopes drive South Side

South Side has been a fixture in the Nassau girls’ lacrosse semifinals with six appearances in the past eight years as well as one trip to the county finals. The Cyclones have never won a title in program history and will look to change that narrative in a few months with 18 returnees.

“We do have championship dreams,” coach Rob Devlin said. “Every team wants it and it’s going to come down to which team earns it. Last year’s schedule was a gauntlet and this year’s is no different, but it’s the conference we want to be in. Every day is a challenge.”

Senior high-level D1 commits Charlotte Rathjen and Sienna Connolly lead South Side’s title hopes. Both are midfielders.

Rathjen, bound for the University of North Carolina, is a three-time All-County selection and 2024 AllAmerican. She had 47 goals and dominated the draw circle. “She has everything,” Devlin said. “Skill, size, speed, smarts, you name it.”

Connoly was All-County and Honorable Mention All-American after netting 28 goals. She’s headed to Northwestern. “She’s so quick and so strong in transition, we moved her from defense last year and it couldn’t have turned out better,” Devlin said.

Junior Ava Curtis is back at midfield after an injury plagued 2024. She has a much speed as anyone on the roster, Devlin noted, and ready to pick up where she left off as a freshman.

The attack features senior Annie Chimienti (16 goals, 13 assists) and sophomores Skye Korten and

Bobbie Creo. Chimienti likes to operate behind the cage and has a knack for getting the ball to teammates in high-percentage shooting areas.

At the other end, Tara Cody, a junior, returns in goal after starting all 16 games last spring and totaling 115 saves. “She’s always working to improve,” Devlin said. “She plays angles well and has quick reflexes.”

Junior defender Lexi Giannone has a take-charge attitude and was Honorable Mention All-County. Sophomores Natalie Cammaleri and Reese Long will also contribute in a big way.

GIRLS

April

Cullen Lynch

Charlotte Rathjen

VALLEY STREAM

By NIKO SCARLATOS

Matt Antoniou is entering his 7th season at the helm of the Valley Stream District boys’ lacrosse program. After having a rough 2024 campaign, Antoniou is ready for the team to take a positive step in the right direction.

“We have a favorable schedule this year,” he said. “There are a few guys who have looked really good in camp so I really believe we can win a lot of games.”

One of the biggest issues that Valley Stream District has dealt with in the past is picking up ground balls. “That’s going to be the biggest key to success for us,” Antoniou said. “When you win ground ball battles, have the ball more, and limit unforced turnovers, it leads to more success for sure.”

One of the senior leaders is former soccer star Sebastian Chavez, a midfielder. “He just picked up lacrosse last year,” said Antoniou. “He has the potential to be one of the best defensive players in the league.”

Another senior continuing to take positive steps is attacker Leden Sarmiento. “He has really grown into a great player,” said Antoniou. “We are very excited about how he has developed so far.”

Twin brother defenders Sean and Anthony Nuzzi have both been on the varsity roster since freshman year. Now, entering their junior seasons, they are ready to take that next step. “Watching their growth has been exciting,” Antoniou said. “They are finally playing against guys their age.”

Antoniou is excited about scoring threat Anthony Vitullo, who is also expected to take a big step forward in production. “The sky’s the limit for Anthony,” Antoniou said. “He is the type of player who can break out with a 50 point season.”

In terms of newcomers, sophomore middie CJ George is someone who has a chance to make an instant impact. “He has such great athletic abilities,” Antoniou said. “He’s tough and is a great listener which

Small battles vital for Valley Stream

are awesome qualities you look for as a coach.”

New girls coach counts on experience

First-year girls’ head coach Rob Tronolone and his team are looking to take a step up from last spring when it managed a couple of wins.

“I expect us to improve on last season,” said Tronolone. “Last year our team was made up of mostly sophomores so hopefully with a year of experience on the varsity level, those girls who are now juniors will be able to take their game to the next level.”

Despite the fact most players on Valley Stream District have matured and developed, this is still a super young team that only holds five seniors: midfielder/ attackers Caitlin Baptiste and Iysis George, defenders Madeleine Castellon and Aleeza Dhillon, and attack Jennifer Larosiliere.

Tronolone is expecting a lot of the team’s production to come from its junior class who, as mentioned before, gained a lot of experience last season. Aryana Phillips is entering her second season on varsity while Isabella Rush is going on year three. Nina Munafo is about to embark on her sophomore season but it is also her third year on varsity after originally making the team as an 8th grader. Tronolone views those two as possible impact players.

Starting goalie Eshal Ikram is also back for her sophomore season after making 98 saves as a freshman in 2024. A couple of key newcomers include junior middie Rihanna Abreu and freshman midfielder/attack Kassidy Garafalo, who takes a huge jump to the varsity level.

The schedule will be a challenge early as Valley Stream plays six of its first seven games on the road. The only home game during that span is April 11 versus Wheatley.

Since this is a district team, the rosters for both the boys and girls teams are made up of kids who come

from different schools. That makes the importance of team chemistry even higher.

“I’d say the biggest key to success this season is being able to come together as a team,” Tronolone said. “Every year it takes some time for everyone to get comfortable with each other. No matter how many clinics we do in the offseason there is always an adjustment period when the season starts.”

Conference Schedules

Photos by Donovan Berthoud

Nina Munato

Sebastian Chavez Garcia

WBy ANDREW COEN

hile last season produced the first Wangtagh boys’ lacrosse county title since 2001, the Warriors entered the new campaign hungry for much more.

Five days after capturing the Class C title with a commanding 13-4 win against Island Trees, Wantagh fell just short in its quest for a Long Island championship with a 9-7 setback to Bayport-Blue Point. The loss to the Suffolk County champions denied Wantagh another trophy and a chance to compete for a state title, something the returning players are highly coveting this spring.

“This group has a sense of unfinished business,” said seventh-year head coach James Polo. “They want to get to the pinnacle.”

Wantagh brings back plenty of offensive firepower from last year’s 15-4 team including senior Dylan Martini, who will share time at attack and midfield. The Albany-bound Martini earned All-County honors last spring and also captured the Thorp award as Nassau County’s top offensive football player in the fall.

Juniors Devin Paccione (attack) and Joe Nicholson (midfield) are also returning All-County players on the offensive side of the field. Both Paccione and Nicholson have verbally committed to play college lacrosse at Villanova.

Carter Loughman, an Albany commit, and Matt Giacobello are also expected to play key roles on offense as juniors. Polo is also looking for production from freshman Luke Martini, who shined on varsity as an eighth grader.

“They plays great team offense and are very unselfish,” Polo said. “They know if they have a double team that somebody’s open so let’s keep it moving and keep it going.”

Polo graduated his starting defense from last year and will be looking to seniors Luke Perfetti and Dylan Campisi along with sophomores Patrick Forthofer and

Warriors in title defense mode

Jack Dankenbrink to step up into bigger roles this season. Junior goalie Gianni Passaro, a Mount St. Mary’s commit, will start in net.

Wantagh will again face a challenging schedule in Conference I before battling teams in Class C for the chance at a repeat county title and more.

Wantagh looks for repeat and more

Wantagh girls lacrosse achieved its goal last season of winning the program’s first county title since 2017 and this spring is shooting for an even higher accomplishment.

The Warriors defeated Manhasset, 11-10 in the Class C finals before falling short in the Long Island championship game to eventual state champion Sayville.

“They tasted it and now they want it more,” said third-year Wantagh head coach Lauren Ruppert of her players eyeing the school’s first Long Island crown which would give them a chance to compete for a state title. “We want to go further than we did last season, but we need to take it game by game.”

Ruppert returns nearly her entire attack including juniors Isabella Sandoval and Riley Forthofer along with sophomore Madeline Drago and senior Peyton Naus. Rupert said the attack unit has solid on-field chemistry near the net and especially Forthofer and Drago behind the cage.

Senior Juliana Cerasi, a James Madison University commit, will anchor the midfield as a top scoring threat and also play a key role in gaining extra offensive possessions taking draw controls. Junior Mia Dankenbrink got increased playing time over the course of last season and Ruppert sees potential for a big spring from her.

“She’s got an extremely strong shot,” said Ruppert of Dankenbrink, who can also take draws. “We’re just trying to build up her confidence.”

The defense is anchored by senior Lyla Ingrilli, who

will play collegiately at Maryland next season. The defensive unit also includes junior Katelyn Baudo and freshman Annika Kurz. Junior Madeline Gonzalez is slated to start in net again with junior Juliana Humphrey and eighth grader Averie Rissland also capable goalies on the roster.

The Warriors will be tested in the regular season competing in Conference I against the likes of long-time powers Garden City Manhasset and Massapequa. For the playoffs, Wantagh will compete for the Class C title with South Side expedited to pose a challenge in its quest for a repeat.

GIRLS

March

Photos by Karen Millindorf

Sabrina Asadurian

Dylan Martini

WEST HEMPSTEAD

Rams geared for better results

By BRIAN KACHARABA

The West Hempstead boys’ lacrosse team has yet to win more than three games in any season since returning from the pandemic and losing two of their top three scorers from 2024 would suggest that a similar result is upcoming.

But a much more manageable schedule this season could help the Rams finally exceed that threshold.

West Hempstead did win its final game of 2024 to snap an 11-game losing streak and finish 2-13, giving the Rams just eight victories since the start of the 2021 campaign. The Rams have just 20 players on this year’s roster and need to not finish last in their five-team ‘D’ pool to make the playoffs.

“We’re definitely better than last year,” head coach Austin Wolfson said. “We’re a little smaller size-wise, and I hope we are able to be healthy, because that will be the most important thing for us.”

Kayden Nuzzi is expected to be the team’s new go-to weapon after he collected 16 goals and 25 points last season. He had a combined five goals and nine points in the Rams’ two victories and a hat trick in a one-goal loss to Malverne/East Rockaway.

“This will be his third year starting and I think he’s very comfortable and he understands that he’s going to have a lot of pressure on him,” Wolfson said. “He’s going to have to pick up those ground balls and put his head down and go to the goal more frequently. “

The district has no middle school or JV teams, so eighth-grader Brendan Rooney will bring his shiftiness and high lacrosse IQ immediately to the varsity level. The team also boasts some talented midfielders in senior David Maldonado and freshman Rohan Mathai.

The Rams also lost two key defensemen to graduation, so senior Justin Jurado will step up the anchor the new-look corps. Senior goaltender Daniel Sanchez made 156 saves last season and brings plenty of experience to the position since he also manned the crease

Prolific scorer paces West Hempstead

The girls’ team has found it challenging to make the playoffs as a ‘D’ school in recent seasons because of the limited spots. But still having one of the top players on Long Island should keep them competitive again in 2025.

West Hempstead barely missed the postseason again last spring despite going 8-3-1 in conference play and will again have to compete with defending state champion Cold Spring Harbor, county finalist Carle Place, postseason participants Oyster Bay and Locust Valley, and Friends Academy for the four ‘D’ berths. Winning the division guarantees them a spot, but the Rams will have to top 13 other Conference 4 schools to do so.

“Wheatley and us, who are in Conference 4, in theory, have to come in first place to even have an opportunity to make it,” head coach Suzanne Kenney said. “It will be super-tough, not impossible, but really a challenge.”

But having a player like junior Elizabeth Poirot, who recorded a whopping 74 goals and 99 points last season, bolsters the Rams’ chances. She didn’t have fewer than four goals in any of her games and reached at least six on seven occasions.

“I’m hoping she matches or exceeds what she did for us last year,” Kenney said. “We lost a couple of our athletic midfielders to graduation, so she’s going to have to play her regular role of an attacker, but also because she has a great lacrosse IQ, play the midfield for us too.”

Sophomore Marissa Koller scored 14 goals last season and junior Daniella Healy had 13 and both are expected to add to those numbers as well as speedy junior and midfielder Willow Stern.

Senior Madison Cates returns up front after spending last season in goal, where she will be supplanted by

freshman Juliana Poirot. Senior Jade Altidor anchors the defense and newcomer Anna Spatafora has the speed to play both midfield and defense, Kenney said. Sacred Heart transfer Keira Martel and sophomore Mikaela Sarmiento could also be contributors this season.

for the soccer team.

Photos by Sue Grieco

Elizabeth Poirot

David Maldonado