The Syosset Lady Braves are coming into 2022 feeling extremely confident about their team. They went 9-7 last season and made a run to the Class A County Finals where they were defeated by Massapequa. This was the team’s first county finals appearance since 2015. Now they feel like it’s time to get back and complete some unfinished business. Syosset is one of the teams that participated in the LILJ Winter Box League and had signature wins over Garden City and Sacred Heart. Head Coach Lauren LoMonaco shared what their motto is going into the season and the belief that they have this year.
“We have 13 seniors leading the way revenging last years county final loss. Their motto is ‘Our Time’ because I truly feel this year is. They’ve got grit, heart, and true leadership that can help them achieve whatever they believe they can.”
Three of their returning seniors are Megan Kitagawa (Yale), Mallory Ngitngit (Lafayette), and Kristin Igneri (Lafayette). Kitagawa will be the driver of the attack unit and had 22 goals and 29 points last season which were both the second most on the team. Ngitngit and Igneri both play midfield and combined for 27 points in 2021. Sophomore Leah Kaufer will also be playing along side them and recorded 10 points as just a freshman last year. She is also fresh off of a tremendous showing in the box league where she led the team in goals, points, and ground balls. Expect Kaufer to also spend a lot of time in the draw circle this season. The losses of 2021 graduates Jessica Colalillo (Bryant) and Nikki Fanelli (USC) will mean that everyone will have to produce even more than last year. Fanelli accounted for 36 points which was the most on the team, and Colalillo contributed with nine points.
This season it appears that starting in the net will be sophomore goalie Ava Ceglia who saw some action last year. She was outstanding between the pipes in the box league, finishing top three in saves with a save percentage of 52%.
Lily Silveira and Jaydn Stadler are two 7th graders that may also see the field this season and have gotten plenty of time in the box league.
Syosset’s schedule includes a number of Nassau County’s top ranked teams as well as some non-league games. Here are some of the marquee matchups that the Braves have this season.
- Syosset @ South Side (3/28)
- Syosset @ Wantagh (3/31)
- St. Anthony’s @ Syosset (4/7)
- Manhasset @ Syosset (4/13)
- Massapequa @ Syosset (4/25)
- Syosset @ CSH (5/5)
Three notable alumni that once wore the Braves uniform and are now playing collegiately are Kendall Halpern (Northwestern), Taylyn Stadler (UPenn), and Nicole Concannon (Richmond).
