The high school spring season is rapidly approaching. Practice begins March 14th, and the season begins the week after. The LILJ has done preseason rankings of the teams who we believe are in the top 25. With not everyone being able to make the ranking we have a separate list of “teams to watch” who are outside of the top 25 but have a good chance of making some noise this season. Some of them were on the door-step last year while others have a collection of young talent that are looking to build a powerhouse. Here are the teams that the LILJ will be on the look-out for this upcoming season! Any other teams you think could make some noise in 2022? Please feel free to comment below.
Bay Shore- The Marauders look to rebound after a 6-9 season. It started off strong but they faltered down the stretch going just 1-8 in their final nine games. This year it will be about trying to develop consistency to compete for a spot in Suffolk’s Class A playoffs. Their leader in points Elizabeth Schmutz returns for her senior season.
Bethpage- The Golden Eagles went 11-3 last season which included a nine game winning streak. They lost in the second round of the playoffs last year but an overwhelming majority of their team remains intact which should serve as an advantage when it comes to team chemistry. Expect them to be a team that is vying for a spot in the semi-finals in Nassau’s Conference C.
Center Moriches- Center Moriches comes into this season as the defending Suffolk Class D Champions. They fell to Cold Spring Harbor in the LIC. On the offensive end they lost their top three play-makers, Isabel Raimondi, Hayley Hermsdorf, and Sarah Chernis who combined for a whopping 188 points. This will present a great opportunity for Isabella Burke, Charlotte Castiglione, and Megan Megill to be that next lethal trio. The three teamed up to record 104 points.
Connetquot- This year the Thunderbirds will try to replicate their 11-5 season from a year ago that saw them make the playoffs. They won a playoff game over Middle Country before falling to Northport in the second round.
Harborfields- The Tornadoes are a team that is consistently in the playoffs and last year was no different. They made it to the semifinals before losing to ESM. They were a veteran team last year and will now look to incorporate some younger talent with some of their remaining 2022’s. A few notable players in the senior class who are back for one final ride are Marina Bergin and Francesca Viteritti. Look for Bergin to be responsible for a bulk of the offense at the midfield position. Viteritti will be the teams starting goalie and is coming off of a 53 save season a year ago.
Huntington- The Blue Devils are coming off of a strong 2021 campaign in which they went 12-4 and made it to the semi-finals before losing to Smithtown East. This year they will have four big holes to fill with the losses of Jordan Forte, Alexa Amorison, and Charlotte Maggio on offense, and Lisa Martin in the cage. A high-powered offense last year may take a dip this season, but they still have enough talent to contend in Suffolk’s Class A.
Islip- The Buccaneers are fresh off of playing in the LILJ High School Winter League. They finished 1-6 but got valuable playing time together. Last spring they went 7-8 and with a very young team the future is definitely bright. Some of their young guns include Caitlin Barnes, Devan Lange, Madison Neary, and Teag Rao. They will only continue to get better paired alongside upperclassmen like Avery Falco and Olivia Piazzola.
Caitlin Barnes scores game winning goal at the buzzer at LILJ High School Winter League. Barnes is an up-and-coming star for Islip and is projected to be a key contributor in the 2022 Spring season.
Kellenberg- In 2021 Kellenberg went 7-5 and fell in the playoffs to Sacred Heart. In a tough Parochial Conference they will look to hang with teams such as Sacred Heart, St. Dominics and St. Anthony’s.
Locust Valley- After a 7-7 season and an appearance in the County Championship Game the Falcons will have a great opportunity this year to get over the hump and win Nassau’s Class D Conference. Some of their key returning players include attacker Katherine Nabet, midfielders Payton Tini and Kaila VanCott, as well as goalie Nicole Berritto.
Longwood- Looking to build off of a 7-7 season in 2021 and return to the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Coached by Randall Grossman, they are “a young team that works together and shares the ball.” Their returning young guns include attacker Ava Rivera and goalie Abigail Warner.
Lynbrook- Last season saw Lynbrook go 11-4 and appear in the semi-finals. They lost some major players that helped make last season such a success including Jenna Hendrickson who was the team leader in points. Two returning players that look to help the team sustain the success they had last year are attacker Mimi Berkowitz and midfielder Sara Curley.
Miller Place- Miller Place comes back another year older after getting experience playing together as mostly sophomores and juniors. They went 8-7 last year and return all but six of their players from last season. They fell to Bayport in the playoffs and hope to compete in a tough Suffolk County C Conference.
Plainedge- The Red Devils return with most of their core group of players still on the team. They appeared in the Nassau Class C semifinals last year where they lost to the eventual county champion Manhasset Indians. They are an explosive offensive team and will be a threat to get right back to the semifinals.
Sachem North- This year Sachem North looks to rebound after a pedestrian 2021 season. They were the final seed in the playoffs last year and lost to William Floyd in the first round. Their goaltending is a question mark with the loss of Healey Torres, but they have two stud attackers returning in Riley Eaton and Sofia Zumbrunn. They will each need to have massive seasons to make up for the loss of Danielle Scarfogliero who had 65 points last year.
St. Dominics- After a 13-4 record in 2021 and winning the Catholic Conference A Champions, St. Dominics comes back as one of the top Parochial teams. Last year was their first championship since 2016. Led by Head Coach Christina Esposito, they are poised to pick up where they left off and contend for a state championship. Coach Esposito shared her thoughts on the upcoming season. “With a handful of returners we are locked in and ready to grow on what we did last year. Our 2022 team is very rounded and our keys to success are hard work & execution of high level game IQ.”
West Islip- A Strong start to the 2021 season was unable to be sustained and the Lions finished 6-9. They lost a lot of seniors from last year’s team which will make it intriguing to see which players will step into bigger roles this year. One player they can expect a lot from is Jaimey Hill who had 22 points, 20 ground balls, and 34 draw controls last year.
Sachem North has a solid team this year. I have faith in EVERY girl. Can’t wait till season starts.