LI Lax Journal – Girls Super 7 Nassau Conference I – Team Previews

The goal of FLG’s Long Island Lacrosse Journal is to promote the sport of the lacrosse on Long Island. The LI Lax Journal will include team previews, coach interviews, rankings, top players, and much more. Follow FLG Lacrosse this Spring to get inside access to what’s happening in the world of lacrosse on Long Island!

Garden City Girls 2017 Season Preview

Garden City Mascot: Trojans Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 1st Key Returners:

• Jenn Medjid, Junior, BC Commit
• Celia Concannon, Senior Captain, Harvard Commit, Middie
• Jackie Brattan,  Senior, Army Commit, Middie
• Devon Heaney, Senior Captain, USC Commit, Defense
• Katherine Galzerano, Senior, Michigan Commit, Defense

Key Losses:

• 17 Seniors graduated
• 3 Midfielders were All-Americans
• Katie Muldoon, Harvard, All-American
• Michaela Bruno, Georgetown, UA & US Lacrosse All-American
• Kerry Defliese, Syracuse, two-time All-American

“Our girls work very hard. We have a very enthusiastic and dedicated group.” -Diane Chapman, Head Coach, Garden City

Best Case Scenario This year, the Lady Trojans hope to be right back where they were last year, holding up a State Championship. Even after losing three All-Americans, this year’s team still has the components to make a State Championship run.  The 2017 roster has great chemistry and feels they can play with anyone. Worst Case Scenario The worst case scenario for this year’s Trojans would not be making an appearance in the County Championship.  Not many teams in Nassau have the talent that Garden City has. So, a quick exit from the playoffs would certainly be a disappointment. Key Games

• Away @ Cold Spring Harbor – 4/22/17

• Away @ Manhasset – 4/29/17

• Home vs Wantagh – 5/04/17

 

Manhasset Girls 2017 Season Preview

Manhasset Mascot: Indians Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 2nd Key Returners

• Madison Rielly, Junior, Maryland Commit, Attacker
• Krissy Kowalski, Junior, Penn Commit, Goalie
• Katie Bellucci, Junior, Penn Commit, Midfield
• Madison Miller, Senior, Vanderbilt Commit, Midfield

Key Losses

• Erin Barry, Midfield, three-time High School All-American, Penn
• Katherine Markham, Penn, Defense

“Prove it. Prove to me, prove to your teammates, and when you get your opportunities on the field, prove it by doing right by your teammates.” -Danielle Gallagher, Head Coach, Manhasset

Best Case Scenario: The Manhasset Indians have the ability to do a lot this year. They have very good individual players. However, this program is expecting more than great individual play. The Indians are looking for their athletes to prove they can play within a system, as well as, play within an offensive and defensive unit. Coach Gallagher keeps the door open every day in practice, giving her players an opportunity to show they can play hard, play selfless, and play for a championship caliber team. This mentality raises the level of play each day, making this group one to watch out for! Worst Case Scenario: It would be disappointing for the Indians to sustain injuries and not fulfil the team’s goal of winning a County Championship. Key Games:

• Away @ Long Beach – 3/28/17

• Home vs Wantagh – 4/01/17

• Home vs Garden City – 4/19/17

• Away @ Cold Spring Harbor – 5/02/17

• Home vs Bayport-Blue Point – 5/06/17

 

Wantagh Girls 2017 Season Preview

Wantagh Mascot: Warriors Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 3rd Key Returners:

• Meghan Gordon, Senior, Northwestern Commit, Midfield, All-State Track
• Alexandra Murphy, Senior, UMass Commit, Midfield, All-State Soccer
• Taylor Carson, Senior, Attack, Arizona State Commit
• Danielle Carson, Soph, USC Commit, Defender,
• Anna Kaufman, Junior, Hofstra Commit, Defender
• Emma Lemanski,  Senior, Adelphi Commit, Goalie
• Taylor Rossi, Senior, Pace Commit, Defender,
• Gabrielle Cesaro, Senior, Pace Commit, Defender
• Kayla Conway, Junior, Pace Commit, Midfield
• Sabrina Caruso, eighth grader, Attacker

Key Losses:

• Kaitlyn Ceraso, UMass, Draw-specialist
• Nicky Fleewack, Maryland
• Grace Beshlian, UConn, Goalie

“I was impressed with what they had, but I’m even more impressed with what’s left.” -Greg Cody, Head Coach, Wantagh

Best Case Scenario: This year’s Warrior squad is filled with both athletes and excellent students. “We see a lot of togetherness from the girls. Good senior leadership and very impressed with their attitudes.” Said Head Coach Greg Cody, “But, I’m most impressed with their abilities in the classroom. All our top girls have a 90 average or better.” This is arguably the most dedicated group of girls that Head Coach Greg Cody has ever had.  The Warriors goal is to capture a County Championship.  Every game will be a grind this year as the conference is packed with talent, but the Warriors themselves have plenty of experience and college commits to lead the team. Worst Case Scenario:    Not capturing a County Championship would be disappointing for the Warriors this year.  This team is very dedicated and is striving for a Championship.  These Seniors are looking to make their last year count, but it will not be an easy road. Key Games:

• CSH, 3/28, Away

• Manhasset, 4/01, Away

• Massapequa, 4/05, Home

• Middle Country, 4/04, Away

Cold Spring Harbor Girls 2017 Season Preview

Cold Spring Harbor Mascot: Seahawks Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 4th Key Returners:

• Abbey Ngai, Senior, Goalie, Boston College Commit, All-County, leader and anchor of the defense
• Kate Kotowski, Senior, Attacker, UNC Commit, five-year player, All-County, key to the offense this year
• Carolyn DeBellis, Sophomore, Duke Commit, started as a freshman
• Sophia Derosa, Junior, Brown Commit, definitely expecting her to step up this year. Key leader on field, good communicator, and good role model
• Grace Tauckus, Junior, Midfielder, Princeton Commit, the best two-way player we have, she’s a true midfielder.

Key Losses:

• Samantha DeBellis, two-time All-American, Duke
• Ashley Lynch, two-time All-American, Louisville, 2016 LI Player of the Year, led our team in points last year, over 100 points

“Our motto this year is rise-up. We need don’t want to sweat the small stuff. We want to get up and keep moving forward all year.” -Danielle Castellane, Head Coach, Cold Spring Harbor

Best Case Scenario Playing all the way into June is the main goal for this year’s Seahawks as they have their eyes set on a County Championship.  Some might think losing two All-Americans will cause problems for this year’s team. However, if you ask Coach Castellane, she’d say her team will be just fine. “Losing two All-Americans means more opportunity for players on our current team to step up. We have a lot of weapons and threats this year. They are just going to be used differently. Overall, I’d say we are a more balanced team across the board in 2017.” Worst Case Scenario The worst case scenario for this year’s team: not holding up a County Championship plaque.  This team has incredible chemistry and lots of big name commits.  With the talent they have, it’s hard to see many teams beating them this year. Key Games:

• Long Beach, 3/23
• Wantagh, 3/28

Long Beach Girls 2017 Season Preview

Long Beach Mascot: Marines Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 5th Key Returners:

• Siobhan Rafferty, Senior, Midfield, Stony Brook*
• Katie Whelan, Senior, Midfield, Hofstra*
• Megan Sofield, Senior, Waiting on lots of top schools
• Daisey Willard, Sophomore, Binghamton
• Maggie Reznick, Freshman, Attack
• Emma Pfaff, Junior, Boston University
• Sarah Reznick, Junior, Goalie*, Florida
• Jillian Canner, Sophomore, Attack
• Hannah Lewis, Sophomore, Draw
• Lexi Correia, Sophomore, Attack
• Fiona Rafferty, Sophomore, Midfield
• Savannah Kile, Senior, Defense
• Charlotte Kile, Sophomore, Defense

Key Losses:

• Katy Brellia, Bryant, Starter, Big time scorer, ran offense

“Our motto this year: Empty the Tank. It’s symbolic of giving everything you have.” -Rachel Ray, Head Coach, Long Beach Best Case Scenario The goal for this year’s team is to get back to the semi-finals and eventually capture a County Championship.  This year’s squad is very focused and is hungry to get a chance to compete for a title.  According to coach Rachel Ray, “This is one of the most competitive teams I’ve ever been around. I don’t need to ask a lot of them, they are ready to go before the coaches even get to practice. While it’s a fun group to be around, they know exactly when to dial it in and focus.” With a deep bench and lots of athleticism, the Bulldogs are primed to play a fast-paced style all year long. Worst Case Scenario: The worst scenario for this year’s Bulldogs would be a quick exit in the playoffs.  With a difficult schedule it will definitely not be an easy road, but with the talent the Bulldogs have anything is possible. Key Games:

• Manhasset, 3/28, Home

• Syosset, 4/05, Home

North Shore Girls 2017 Season Preview

North Shore Mascot: Vikings Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 6th Key Returners:

• Quinn Lacy, Senior, Lafayette Commit, Goalie, very active, picks off passes really well, been starting last two years
• Alana Greene, Junior, George Washington Commit, Very quick, nearly flawless stickwork, great handles inside
• Ashley Sheerin, Senior, Middie, Fast, good body position, very positive impact player, very high grades, looking at Ivy League schools
• Madeline Podaras, Junior, Lafayette Commit, attacker, very quick first and second step, can dodge through defenders effectively

Core Defensive group led by Junior class

• Selena Fortich
• Andrea Liotta
• Hannah Moran
• Nicky Nanas
• April Rowels
• Eileen Quinn

“The work ethic and leadership is everything. The girls in our program want to do well and go far. Having that mentality really helps. Our girls are really focused. We do lots of things in the off-season and get the middle school girls involved throughout the year. I try to get everyone in the program on the same page and have them use the same language.” -Meg McCormick, Head Coach, North Shore

Best Case Scenario After a .500 season last year in Conference I, the Vikings are hoping to capture a County Championship this year.  This year’s squad is super close and have been training hard all offseason. The keys this year for the Vikings are to limit turnovers and maintain possessions.  By doing this for a full 50 minutes, the Vikings are confident they can compete with anyone in Nassau Conference I. This year’s team has lots of depth, especially on the defensive side of the field. If this competitive group maintains their composure come playoff time, they might find themselves holding up a County Champion trophy. Worst Case Scenario   Since everyone in Conference 1 makes the playoffs, the worst thing that can happen to the Vikings this year is a quick exit from the dance.  The talent is there for this year’s Vikings. So, a trip to the Championship will be in the eyes of every girl on the team.   Key Games:

• CSH, 4/19, Home

• Manhasset, 4/27, Away

• Syosset, 5/05, Away

Syosset Girls 2017 Season Preview

Syosset Mascot: Braves Nassau Power Conference I Ranking: 7th Key Returners:

• Katie Igneri, Senior, Brown Commit, two-year captain, quick, super athletic, ground ball machine, never gives up
• Nicole Concannon, Senior, Villanova Commit, two-year captain
• Taylyn Stadler, Junior, Penn Commit, playing varsity since 8th grade

Key Loss:

• Betsey Cohen, Swarthmore, Goalie

“I took 26 girls this year. This will be my biggest team yet. A majority of our girls have been with us since 8th or 9th grade. So, they know what to expect. I set the bar and the girls take it and raise it for themselves. They love each other and want to accomplish this goal together.” -Lauren Lomonaco, Head Coach, Syosset

Best Case Scenario: For this year’s Braves, the goal is simple: get right back where they were two years ago, playing for a Long Island Championship.  This year’s team is led by an experienced core, who are committed to playing for Division I schools in the years to come.  Playing in one of the hardest conferences in Public High School lacrosse, it will by no means be an easy road for the Braves. With that said, winning a County Championship is not out the realm of possibility and will be the goal for this year’s team. Worst Case Scenario:    The bar is set high this year mainly because this team’s Senior class has been playing together since 4th grade.  The chemistry for this group is the best it’s ever been.  Not winning a County Championship would definitely be a disappointment. Key Games:  

• Massapequa, 3/28, Home

• Wantagh, 4/19, Home