As we get ready to wrap up another long Winter, girls high school lacrosse is imminent and filled with high-caliber teams and players. Long Island lacrosse is a breeding ground for some of the best players in the country and we are sure to be in for yet another great season of LI lax. As we near the new season, let’s preview some of the girls teams that are ready to take the field. Here are 10 teams to watch for this upcoming season!
Farmingdale Dalers
Starting with the Farmingdale Dalers, the girls lacrosse team ended last season with a 6-10 overall record, defeated in the opening round of the playoffs by Port Washington. Though it didn’t end the way they would’ve liked, the team is ready to get back on the field for a rebound season. Headlined by key returners in Ashlinn Kelly (Midfield), Briana Bellando (Captain, Midfield) and Carly Livingston (Captain, Midfield/Attack), the team will be looking to take another step forward this season.
“We are very excited for our 2023 season,” Assistant Coach, Brendan Gaghan said to the Long Island Lacrosse Journal. “On offense, we return six starters including our two leading point scorers in Carly Livingston and Briana Bellando. We are expecting younger players Bella Recce, Ashlinn Kelly and Juliann Brzeski to contribute to our offense. Our defense will be led by three-year starter Mia Smith and backed by Senior goalie Caitlin Ganci and Junior Dakota Capolino.”
With plenty of talent on this season’s roster including some of the young guns, the Dalers are ready for a comeback year in 2023.
St. John the Baptist Cougars
Next on our list, we have the St. John the Baptist Cougars, which finished last season with a record of 5-9 missing the playoffs. Head Coach, Janine Pirone, attributed this upcoming season’s keys to success to working together, playing as a team, commitment and hustle. Pirone added that she is excited to see how the starters and returning players come back. Some of those returners include Sophia Virgilio (Attack), Gwen Bogash (Attack/Midfield), Angelina DeAmicis (Defense), Megan Casey (Goalie), Christina DiLegge (Defense) and Nora Healy (Defense). We will soon see how those girls return as they push toward a playoff berth in 2023.
Bay Shore Marauders
The Bay Shore Marauders girl’s lacrosse team finished out the 2022 season with a final record of 11-7 earning the team’s first playoff appearance since 2019. They went on to beat Longwood at home but lost to No. 1 Northport. The team has higher aspirations in 2023 however.
“This season is going to be a grind,” Second-year Head Coach Taylor Harney said to the LILJ. “There is no doubt about it. We are finally back to where we need to be, and I am excited to see my team continue to show up every day with the mindset of being relentless in the pursuit of excellence.”
The team lost Emily Scorcia, Liz Schmutz, Ellie Provda and Allison Brewer, but every loss doesn’t come without those that are returning and some key additions. Those coming back in 2023 are Cassie Hall (Goalie), Jamie Demert (Midfield), Allegra Ryan (Attack) and Sophia DeBonis (Attack). Haley Naslonki (Attack) and Evangeline Perdomo (Defense), are both Sophomores and are returning varsity players who will find themselves an official starting spot this season, according to Harney. Kaylee McCormick (Elon Commit) will be the backbone of the Lady Marauders defense in 2023. Look for the Marauders to expand on last season and make some noise in 2023.
Center Moriches Devils
Next up, we have the county champions, the Center Moriches Devils. They ended the 2022 season at 11-7, which helped lead them to a second consecutive county title in 2022. The team is looking to win its third consecutive county championship with plenty of talent returning and coming in. Points leader from 2022, Megan Magill (Attack) is coming back, as well as Charlotte Castiglione (Midfield), Lauren Spivak (Midfield), Kaley Maxwell (Defense) and Emily Passaro (Defense). The team lost Isabella Burke, Sam Wohlmut and Caitlin Noack. Nonetheless, the team should remain competitive with strong returners and young guns in players like Makayla Walsh, Juliana Versacci and Riley Schildt.
West Islip Lions
Here, we have the West Islip Lions who are looking to make a playoff run in 2023. Finishing the season at 6-8, the Lions are sure to be playing with a chip on its shoulder this spring. Returning players include Jaimie Hill (Attack), Avery Lanzarotta (Goalie), MaKenna Gagliardi (Goalie), Ava Obloj (Midfield), Carley Sgueglia (Midfield), Gianna Gentile (Defense), Madison Nicolosi (Defense) and Courtney Xippolotis (Defense). Even with losing Natasha Franchina on the defensive side of the ball, the defense is sure to be strong with another year of experience together as the team looks to fight its way to its 18th playoff appearance in 20 years with Joseph Nicolosi coaching. Keep an eye out for the Lions.
East Hampton Bonackers
Shifting gears, East Hampton ended its 2022 season at a disappointing 3-11 record and they lost some key players coming into 2023 with Laura Calderon (Goalie), Julia Erickson (Defense), Ella Bistrian (Attack) and Melanie Luque (Attack). Nevertheless, the team has bigger things planned this spring.
“We are a very young team that is eager to win,” Head Coach, Joe DiGirolomo said. “We are committed to proving everyone wrong about what they think about us.”
And the team’s key returners will only help. They’ve got Ava Tintle (Attack), Eva Mckelvey (Attack) and Melina Sarlo (Midfield) all coming back for a redemption year.
Longwood Lions
Now onto the Longwood Lions, who finished the season at 10-6 earning a playoff berth. Even though they lost in the first round to Bay Shore, the team is returning in 2023 with 6 out of 7 of its starters on offense and 9 of 12 starters overall. Head Coach, Randall Grossman said the team is looking to make an “offensive explosion” this spring. With returners in Alexa Preston (Attack/Midfield), Ava Rivera (Midfield/Defense), Ava Franco (Attack/Midfield), Abigail Warner (Goalie), Olivia Hollingsworth (Defense/Midfield), Sophie Mellman (Defense) and Rebecca Reinhard (Attack/Midfield), the team is set to be strong yet again.
Elmont Spartans
Next, the Elmont Spartans finished 2022 with a final record of 4-4. Falling short of the playoffs since 2018, Head Coach, Kemola Webster is ready for the new challenge in 2023.
“With such a dedicated, hardworking group of young ladies, we are looking forward to a great season,” Webster said.
Karena Powell (Defense), Makayla Noel (Midfield) and Ana Novembre are all key returners for the Spartans this coming season.
South Side Cyclones
The South Side Cyclones are looking to add to its rich playoff history with another postseason appearance this upcoming Spring. In 2022, the Cyclones finished at 8-8 with a date to the county semi-finals. The team has strong returners this year, according to Head Coach Robert Devlin, and we can see that with players like Morgan Harloff (Defense), Avery Testa (Attack), Caitlin Haggerty (Attack), Demmerle Hamel (Midfield), Charlotte Rathjen (Midfield), Annie Madden (Midfield), Sienna Connolly (Defense) and Hailey Ferrari-Reich (Attack). Head Coach, Robert Devlin said the team is always looking to improve on past years, and seeing that the Cyclones went to the semi-finals, we may see them go even farther this year.
St. Dominic Bayhawks
Finally, we end off with the back-to-back Class A New York State Champions, St. Dominic High School. They ended the 2022 season with a final record of 12-3 while winning its second NYS Championship in two years. Head Coach, Jerry Caramelli has high hopes for his squad as they look to three-peat in 2023.
“We have put in place a system with a young team that our players have completely bought into,” Caramelli said. “This ‘Defense First’ mentality combined with maturity, confidence and discipline has our team excited about the upcoming season. Coming off the school’s first NYS Championship has provided our team the opportunity to move up into the top class in the Catholic School Conference and we can’t wait to get started.”
The team will see key returns from Meg Morrisroe (Captain, Midfielder), McKenna Jacobs (Midfielder), Emma O’Brien (Captain, Defender) and Mary Ford (Goalie). St. Dominics has a lot to be excited about this season and competing for its third straight NYS Championship will be number one on the list.
That wraps up our team previews for the 2023 high school girls lacrosse season. Be sure to keep up with the Long Island Lacrosse Journal for coverage of these teams and more throughout the season as it is sure to be an exciting year! Also, make sure to check out our boy’s team previews if you have not already. Good luck to all of these teams and players as they embark on yet another great season of Long Island Lacrosse!
