LILJ Girls Winter League Opening Weekend Recap: Game Write-Ups, Analysis, Player Performances

The opening weekend of the LILJ Girls Winter League set the tone for an action-packed season, delivering 24 games across Saturday and Sunday that showcased the league’s depth, rising talent, and competitive edge from top to bottom. From high-scoring shootouts to gritty defensive battles, teams across every age group wasted no time making statements, with standout individual performances and several down-to-the-wire finishes highlighting an electric first slate. With intensity already in midseason form, Week 1 made it clear that this winter is shaping up to be the best one yet! Let’s dive into the action recapping the 24 game slate from this past weekend!

YJ Maget Bert 2028 vs Rocky Point

Opening up the Saturday slate was a high school vs club contest between the 2028s of YJ Maget Bert and Rocky Point. YJ Maget Bert 2028 earned a strong 9–7 win over Rocky Point in a competitive matchup that featured standout efforts on both sides of the field. YJ set the tone early, building a 4-0 lead in the early stages before Rocky went on a late surge to cut the deficit to 4-2 going into halftime. The second half saw both offenses open up, trading goals in an exciting back-and-forth stretch, but YJ maintained their edge by capitalizing on key opportunities and finishing with poise in the final minutes. Despite Rocky Point’s late push and a five-goal second half, YJ Maget Bert held on to improve to 2-0 in pool play. Fabiana Gallagher led the way for YJ with a game-high four points, scoring one goal with three assists, orchestrating the offense and impacting the ride. Natalie Yoo and Addison Kelly each poured in two goals and one assist, providing consistent scoring when YJ needed it most. Kate Salerno added a well-rounded performance with one goal, one assist, and three draw controls, while Raegan Chamberlain and Gabby LaGala contributed key goals. Defensively, YJ got a standout game from Aislin Lawton, with game-altering plays whether it was coming up with loose balls, forcing low percentage shots or being the first to back up shots. Rocky Point’s offense was paced by Colbie Burke, who tallied three points with two goals and an assist and consistently generated opportunities. Cadence Adamo (USF) added two goals with strong dodging and finishing, and Abigail Hansen and Kaleigh Moeller (FSU) each contributed on the scoreboard—Moeller in particular filling the stat sheet with one goal, three assists, three ground balls, and three draw controls. Goalie Hannah Danseglio stood tall with nine saves and a 50% save percentage.

Excelsior vs Smithtown East

In a back-and-forth matchup that stayed tight well into the second half, Excelsior Free Agents picked up an impressive 13–10 win over Smithtown East Varsity to earn their first win in pool play. Both sides came out firing, trading goals throughout an explosive first half that ended deadlocked at 6–6. Excelsior’s ability to adjust defensively and capitalize in transition became the difference after the break. In the second half, Excelsior found another gear—scoring seven goals while tightening up their interior defense to limit Smithtown East’s quality looks. Their ball movement and pace in the open field created consistent scoring opportunities, allowing them to build and protect a multi-goal cushion down the stretch.

For Excelsior, Sophia Caramico the St. Anthony’s freshman was outstanding, driving the offense with three goals and three assists for a game-high six points while adding a caused turnover. Fellow Friar Lila Choi delivered a big offensive performance with three goals, and two assists for a five point outing. Finding the back of the net three times was Emma Fernandes also of St. Anthony’s for an efficient scoring game. Hampton Bay’s Fiona Haddock filled the stat sheet with one goal, two assists, two ground balls and two caused turnovers. FDU commit Kelsey Ambrosio added two goals and grabbed two draws, helping Excelsior control key possessions. Emmy Iandiorio the South Side Cyclone chipped in one goal and two assists while contributing three ground balls. St. Dominic goalie Saylor Hopper came up with eight saves, holding Smithtown East in check during a crucial second-half stretch.

On the Smithtown East side Giavanna Figalora (Pace) led the offense with four goals, while Mia Trama (Haverford) produced a strong all-around effort with three goals, three ground balls, and three caused turnovers. Kloe Ferreri added one goal and two assists while playing a steady distributor role. Kristen Cummings contributed one goal, one assist, and a team-high four ground balls. On the defensive end, eighth grader Torianne Napolitano came away with caused turnover  and provided pressure throughout the game.

FLG Navy 2031 vs YJ Patrone-Cristodero 2031

The first game on the day in the middle school division was a 2031 battle between FLG and YJ Patrone-Cristodero, and this one did not disappoint! It was FLG pulling out a hard-fought 11–10 victory over YJ in a back-and-forth battle that stayed tight from the opening whistle. Both teams traded punches early, each putting up five goals in a fast-paced first half that showcased transition speed and strong dodging on both ends as well as pivotal defensive plays. The second half followed the same script—high energy, constant pressure, and no team willing to give an inch. FLG found the final separation with a late goal as time expired, edging YJ 6–5 in the frame to secure the one-goal win. Key goaltending and a balanced offensive effort helped FLG close it out, while YJ continued to push until the final possession. Starting with FLG, lefty attacker Saskia Bowditch proved to be a hero, scoring the game winning goal as time expired assisted by Bailey Meyer to secure the victory! The game winner by Bowditch was her second of the game to go along with two assists for a four point game. Quinn McKinley also delivered a standout performance at attack, scoring four goals on five shots on goal, including a clutch finish in the second half. Midfielder Bailey Meyer was impactful all over the field with two goals, two assists, plus a caused turnover and three draw controls. Jillian Powers scored once while collecting three ground balls and Isabel Castiglione chipped in one goal and one assist, adding two ground balls. In the cage goalies Ani McBrearty and Julia Doskoez combined for 13 saves, posting 55% and 58% save percentages respectively, giving FLG the consistency needed to secure the win. As for YJ Christina Morrone was a force offensively, and on the circle, scoring three goals while leading her team with four ground balls and a team-high three draw controls. Evie Duswalt added two goals, consistently generating quality chances. Claire Golden contributed across the board with one goal, and one assist while also winning a draw control. Olivia Comber added a strong two-way effort, scoring once while scooping three ground balls and causing a turnover.

Ward Melville JV vs YJ Arnone 2030

Ward Melville JV and YJ Arnone 2030 delivered one of the most competitive games of the day, ending in a hard-earned 8–8 tie after a tale of two halves. Ward Melville controlled the first half with a 4–1 lead, but YJ Arnone stormed back with a 7-goal second half to even the score.Ward Melville set the tone early, attacking efficiently and limiting Arnone’s possessions. Their balanced offensive output and strong defensive pressure allowed them to take a three-goal lead into halftime. YJ Arnone responded with urgency after the break, winning key draws, generating transition chances, and capitalizing on second-chance opportunities. Their seven-goal surge erased the deficit and created a dramatic final stretch, eventually ending with both teams deadlocked at eight. The Patriots offense was fueled by the three goal performance from Briana Tomicic who also had a team-high four ground balls. Adding to the offense with two goals each was Savannah Antonetti and McKenna Negus. In goal was Madeline Butler who was a major reason this game remained tight, finishing with 10 saves and a 56% save percentage. YJ Arnone saw the lefty attacker Emerson LaPenna deliver three goals with the biggest of them all coming in the final 40 seconds of the game on a second shot opportunity to tie the score! Victoria Rudis and Francesca Dickson each scored once and dished out an assist. Defensively Molly Mullen was a ground ball machine with a game-high five gb’s and in goal Charlotte Wenk was outstanding between the pipes with 11 saves and a save percentage of 58%.

Mt. Sinai vs St. Anthony’s 2028

Mount Sinai put together a steady, full-team effort to secure a 12–9 victory over St. Anthony’s 2028, using a strong start and timely second-half scoring to stay in control. Sinai struck for six goals in each half, building enough of a cushion early to withstand St. Anthony’s late push. While St. Anthony’s found their rhythm in the second half with six goals of their own, Mount Sinai’s offensive depth and clutch defensive play kept momentum on their side. St. Anthony’s battled hard late, but Sinai’s ability to win key possessions and respond to every surge ultimately sealed the win.

The young guns for the Mustangs continue to flourish, as Gabby Surdi provided a big offensive spark, tallying a hat-trick with one assist for a four point game while Addison Chartrand connected for two goals and an assist and Ava Ciofrone chipped in scoring a goal. Seniors Olivia Romeo (Stony Brook) and Sophia Masone (Georgetown) each struck for three goals with Romeo also impacting the game on the defensive end with two takeaways. In the net Kathryn Arrington the recent St. Leo commit recorded a 57% save percentage playing in the first half.

The Friars continue to get impressive play from Fabiana Gallagher who is a scoring machine, this time delivering a six goal performance with goals coming in a wide variety of ways whether it was off the dodge, 8 meter shots or playing off ball. Also providing offense for St. Anthony’s was Sarah Ullrich with two goals and Zoe Nolan with one goal and one assist. Midfielder Emily Gowen was a workhorse on the circle, winning four of five and also adding a caused turnover on the ride.

 FLG Navy 2031 vs GC Tradition 2031

GC Tradition 2031 delivered a complete performance in their opening game of the winter league, rolling to an 18–3 win over FLG Navy 2031 behind overwhelming offensive production, relentless ride pressure, and a balanced team effort. Tradition controlled the pace from the opening draw, building a 10–2 halftime lead before closing out the game with an 8–1 second half.

Claire Coelen was a game-changer from start to finish with a dazzling winter league debut, posting six goals and two assists with elite dodging and finishing. Lilian Coratti delivered a huge performance as well with two goals, three assists, three caused turnovers, and a ground ball, A true two-way engine. Brae McDonough another two-way engine totaling, three goals, one assist, plus three ground balls, two caused turnovers and two draw controls. Liesl Leder– efficient and dangerous, scoring four goals on five shots on goal while going 2-for-2 on 8-meter attempts and coming away with two takeaways. Adding one goal each and three ground balls was Erin Groarke and Isabella Ordas.

FLG saw scoring from the trio of Jillian Powers, Bailey Meyer and Allison Wisnowski, with Meyer also winning 3/4 draw controls.

Bayport JV vs YJ Arnone 2030

Bayport JV put together a wire-to-wire performance, defeating YJ Arnone 2030 by a score of 15–5 behind a high-efficiency offense, strong draw control play, and a defense that forced turnovers and limited second chances all afternoon. Bayport jumped out to an 8–1 halftime lead and maintained full control in the second half to close out the 10-goal victory.

Kaelyn Aiello was once again a prolific offensive presence with five goals on six shots on goal. Charlotte Bishop brought energy, scoring three goals and grabbing four ground balls. Leila Rogers was a steady offensive creator with three goals and one assist, finishing 3-of-3 on shots on goal. Camryn Bruckner added two goals and was effective between the lines with two loose balls and a caused turnover. Also cashing two goals and creating two takeaways was Kylie Jensen.

The five goals for YJ Arnone were scored by five different players which included Emerson LaPenna, Mariah Ferruzzi, Maeve McNamara, Evelyn Mattina and Aubrey Travers.

St. Anthony’s 2027 vs Ward Melville Varsity

The Friars of St. Anthony’s and the Patriots of Ward Melville squared off in the first pool play game for each team, with this one going to the Patriots 10-6 thanks to a strong second half that saw them turn what was a 5-4 halftime lead into a four goal advantage when the clock hit zero. The offense for Ward Melville was fueled by their upperclassmen with Marist commit Keira Pirozzi connecting for three goals followed by two each from Aliya Leonard (Yale) and Mia Modica (Hofstra). Between the lines Maeve McKay (Bryant) made a big presence for Ward Melville whether it was securing balls off the ground or impacting the game on defense while also adding a goal. For St. Anthony’s they were led in scoring by Estee Mihos in scoring with a hat-trick which included an 8 meter sniper at the buzzer to conclude to first half, followed by two goals scored by Keira Steck and one by Alexa Gibbs.

YJ Friedman 2029 vs GC Tradition 2028

It was freshmen against sophomores between the 29s of YJ Friedman and the 28s of Tradition and this one went in favor of the freshman phenoms! YJ Friedman put together stellar performance to open the winter league, defeating GC Tradition by a 10–3 margin thanks to efficient offense, relentless ride pressure, and impactful two-way play across the roster. Friedman opened with a commanding 6–1 first half, capitalizing on turnovers and pushing transition opportunities. Their ability to win 50/50 balls early—led by players like Harper Kleet (4 gb’s) and Molly McNamara (4 gb’s)—set the tone and kept the momentum firmly in blue and yellow hands. GC Tradition showed resilience in the second, matching intensity and tightening defensively, but Friedman continued to finish key chances. A 4–2 second half closed out the win, powered by disciplined movement and smart playmaking. Standing out for YJ Friedman included Molly McNamara who was the engine of the offense. She controlled the tempo, attacked downhill with confidence, and commanded the draw circle to help Friedman maintain possession all game. Cassidy Ferrara was an efficient finisher as her two-goal effort provided steady scoring in both halves. Adding one goal and one assist each was the trio of Natalie Takacs, Nicole Manolakes and Avery Needle. Defensively the star of the game was Harper Kleet who was everywhere—winning ground balls, forcing turnovers, and helping extend possessions. Her defensive presence was a major turning point early and she turned a defensive gem into a transition goal on offense in the second half. The goalie duo of Natalie Barth and Julia Ver Straten combined for four saves on seven shots on cage, shutting down GC’s best looks and keeping momentum on Friedman’s side. On the other side it was Ava Oppedisano who generated quality chances and finished with two goals while Caileigh McDonough was active on the draw and provided a goal. In the ground ball department Kylie O’Leary scooped up a team-high three gb’s.

William Floyd vs Eastport South Manor

In a Suffolk Class A vs Class B clash, Eastport South Manor used a massive second-half surge to erase a three-goal halftime deficit and defeat William Floyd 10–8 in a comeback victory to open up pool play with a 1-0 record. William Floyd opened the game sharp, building a 5–2 lead behind disciplined possessions and a breakout first half from Emma DiMaio, who scored twice early and sparked Floyd’s transition game. Their defense held strong, anchored by Julia Hipperling’s 60% save rate, helping them maintain momentum into the break. ESM came out firing in the second half, outscoring Floyd 8–3 and seizing control with pressure, pace, and efficient finishing. Katelynn Murtha and Ella Dragonette led the charge, while the Sharks’ midfield won crucial draws and ground balls that swung possession. A 4–1 run midway through the half gave ESM the lead—and they never let it go. Katelynn Murtha (USF) was the offensive catalyst for ESM. Her combination of speed and decisiveness turned the tide, especially in the second half where she scored three times and drew multiple slides. Taylor Murtha (Sacred Heart) was a key factor in ESM’s comeback, Murtha facilitated the offense beautifully and assisted on two second-half goals. Freshman Ella Dragonette was consistent and composed inside, providing ESM with momentum-swinging finishes. Adding one goal each for the sharks were fellow freshmen Ella Schopp and Hayden Duswalt while the defense saw Binghamton commit Sarah Langdon come away with two caused turnovers. Despite the loss for Floyd Emma DiMaio (Stony Brook) delivered a team-high four goals with an assist for a five point outing, and Rylie Wiegand (LIU) was one of the most impressive facilitators of the day, setting up nearly every Floyd scoring chance with elite vision and patience. She orchestrated the offense and kept Floyd connected all game, dishing out six assists. The Meyer sisters Riley and Bailey combined for three goals on the offensive end with two scored by Riley and one scored by the seventh grade young gun Bailey.

FLG Navy 2028 vs YJ Friedman 2029

YJ Friedman 2029 put together a wire-to-wire performance to earn an impressive 11–5 win over FLG Navy 2028, using balanced scoring, strong midfield play, and stout defense to control the matchup from start to finish, earning their second win in pool play in what was their second game of the day. Friedman set the tone early with a 5–3 lead at halftime, then elevated their play on both ends in the second half, outscoring FLG 6–2 to pull away.

Their offense was fueled by Nicole Manolakes, who powered the attack with a game-high three goals, consistently finding seams in the defense. She was supported by Avery Needle, who delivered one of the most complete offensive performances of the game with — one goal, two assists for three points, along with a caused turnover. Cassidy Ferrara, Sarah Paci, Ava Savarese, Olivia Leopardi, and Natalie Takacs each added a goal as Friedman showcased their offensive depth across the roster. In the ground ball department Molly McNamara and Summer O’Neill each secured three balls off the ground, while Taylor Errante added two ground balls and also cashed in a goal.

FLG Navy battled throughout, led by a standout effort from Ashley Arizonis, who kept her team in striking distance with two goals, four draw controls, and steady two-way play. Maeve McNamara added one goal and one assist, while Addison Held and Stella Efstathiou each contributed a goal.

Commack vs Sacred Heart

In a Suffolk vs Parochial clash Commack and Sacred Heart went blow-for-blow from start to finish, with Commack ultimately grinding out a 10–9 victory behind timely scoring and strong two-way play. The first half saw Sacred Heart gain the early momentum as they held a 3-0 lead, before Commack rallied back with a 5-2 scoring run leading to a 5-5 score at the half. Commack leaned on balanced offense early, with Samantha Benedict, Sarah Franke, and Ashley Arizonis generating key chances. Sacred Heart countered with sharp ball movement, highlighted by Allie Reasoner, who was dominant from the opening whistle. The second half shifted into a possession-heavy, physical battle. Commack created separation slight separation gaining a one goal lead on multiple occasions, but  Sacred Heart refused to go away, riding Reasoner’s hot hand. Ultimately Commack’s defense tightened late and the go-ahead goal by Arizonis with 90 seconds remaining proved to be enough to secure the one-goal win.

For Commack Benedict (VCU) led the way with four points scoring three times with one assist. Franke (UConn) was a force all over the field, posting two goals, and six ground balls, with a caused turnover — a true two-way impact performance. Julia Parisi (Scranton) delivered a strong all-around outing with four points, scoring twice and dishing two assists with three ground balls, helping Commack control key possessions. Gabriella Brown (Springfield) quietly played a major role on the circle, winning 3 of 5 draws.

The Spartans Reasoner (Maryland) showed why she’s one of the premier 27s in the game as she put together a standout performance with seven points scoring six goals with an assist on seven shots on goal, keeping Sacred Heart in striking distance all game. Rhylee Kirchner (Stetson) contributed one goal and an assist with two ground balls. Caroline Valeant and Kylie Gorman chipped in a goal apiece while combining for four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Ward Melville Varsity vs Harborfields

Ward Melville and Harborfields battled down to the wire in a close matchup that featured trading runs, gritty play, and standout individual efforts. After entering halftime tied 3–3, Ward Melville gained the edge in the second half to pull away and secure a 10–8 victory. Harborfields struck early behind Taylor Cavanaugh (Towson), who set the tone with aggressive dodging and quick-strike scoring. Ward Melville countered with composure, spreading the ball and earning quality chances, highlighted by first-half goals from Keira Pirozzi (Marist), Jada Leonard, and Maeve McKay (Bryant). Both defenses held strong heading into the break, with Harborfields goalie Ava Kalmar making four saves to keep the game even.

The second half belonged to Ward Melville’s offense. Pirozzi elevated her play, completing a hat trick as part of a 7-goal surge. Nicole Manolakes capped off a three goal game of her own, finding space inside and finishing with poise. Mia Modica (Hofstra) tacked on another, while the Ward Melville ride and midfield unit turned up the pressure, generating turnovers and second-chance looks. Harborfields continued to push, led by Cavanaugh’s four point effort and key goals from Lyla Droskoski, Harper Kleet, and Lillian Monteleone, but Ward Melville’s depth and ability to convert late possessions proved to be the difference.

Overall for Ward Melville Pirozzi powered the offense with her three goals, Nicole Manolakes delivered a strong hat trick of her own, and Maggie Giachetti added a goal while contributing three ground balls, one draw, and one caused turnover, impacting both ends. The speedy Quinlan Heilbron (Clemson) was a human clear and covered a ton of ground on defense. In the cage sophomore Sydney Millett played the majority of the game where she was 50% in saves with a total of six.

The four points by Cavanugh for Harborfields was the top on the team with Droskoski finding the back of the net twice. Harper Kleet and Lillian Monteleone each added one goal and an assist and in goal Ava Kalmar was sharp in the first half, stopping 4 of 7 shots (57%) to keep Harborfields alive early.

YJ Friedman 2029 vs YJ Gaghan Torre 2027

This one was a YJ vs YJ matchup between the freshmen of YJ Friedman and the juniors of YJ Gaghan Torre as these two teams went head-to-head in a tight, matchup that stayed close from the very beginning. After the teams traded four goals apiece in the opening half, Friedman found just enough separation in the second to pull out a 7–6 victory behind timely scoring and a gritty defensive effort. The first half saw both offenses settle in early, with Nicole Manolakes setting the tone for Friedman by attacking the net decisively. YJ Gaghan countered with ball movement, highlighted by Megan Florio’s (Marist) three-assist performance, helping keep the game locked at 4–4 heading into the break.

The second half remained tightly contested just like the first half, with the game not being decided until the the closing seconds for YJ Friedman on the game winning goal scored by Olivia Leopardi which was assisted by Taylor Errante, set up on a free position. The win for YJ Friedman marked their third win in pool play to remain undefeated.

Manolakes was a big time spark, scoring three goals on four shots on goal. Olivia Leopardi delivered in big moments, displaying the clutch gene, while Molly McNamara had an all-around performance with one goal, one assist, 4-of-5 draws, two caused turnovers, and strong two-way play. Ava Savarese and Taylor Errante each added assists, helping drive possession and offensive flow. Defensively, Karstyn LoRusso and Summer O’Neill combined for three caused turnovers and four ground balls, while goalie Julia Ver Straten stopped 2 of 4 shots (50%) in the second half.

For YJ Gaghan it was another day at the office for Katelynn Murtha (USF) was outstanding, scoring four goals on four shots-on-goal. Megan Florio (Marist) orchestrated the offense with the three assists. Violet Ortenzi (Furman) added two assists, while Ellie Speidell and Jackie Galli (FSC) each scored once, keeping the offense balanced. Caitlin Masera (Stony Brook) played a big role with three ground balls and one caused turnover in a high-motor effort. In cage, Ava Kalmar was excellent, making seven saves on 10 shots (70%) to keep the game within reach, while Grace Belmonte stoped five shots with a 56% save percentage.

Westhampton JV vs Manhasset JV

Westhampton JV put together a strong second half to earn a 12–8 win over Manhasset JV, turning a narrow 5–4 halftime lead into a four-goal victory behind a balanced offense and steady defensive play. Both teams came out fast in the opening half, trading goals as Manhasset’s Julianna Stepanian and Abigail Bauer helped keep pace with Westhampton’s early push. Katy Lourenco and Filippa Halvorsen powered the Westhampton offense early, each converting key scoring chances to help send their team into the break with a 5–4 advantage. Westhampton took full control in the second half, outscoring Manhasset 7–4 with strong draw play and efficient shooting. Grace Chornoma and Halvorsen continued to generate offense, while Katy Lourenco finished tied with a game-high three goals and stepping up in multiple momentum-swinging possessions. The defense also tightened behind strong midfield pressure from Karstyn LoRusso and Sienna Krawczyk, allowing Westhampton to build and maintain a multi-goal lead.

Also adding three goals on the game was Halvorsen, while Chornoma netted two goals, five ground balls along with a caused turnover. Lefty attacker Kasey Cangelosi chipped in a slick right handed goal along with an assist to add to the offense. Henley Tuthill and Brooke Stoehr each scored goals, while Ava Futerman and Sienna Krawczyk recorded assists. Karstyn LoRusso went 2-for-2 on draws and added a caused turnover, helping swing possession. Goalie Alina Cooper had a strong showing with 10 saves (56%), including several key stops in transition.

On the Manhasset side Bauer led the offense with 1 goal, 2 assists, while contributing with two ground balls. Stepanian finished with two goals providing an offensive boost. Katie Farrer, Lila Smith, Riley Ortolano, Ellie Nicosia, and Olivia Whang each added goals, keeping Manhasset’s offense balanced. Eliana Sokolof scooped up three balls off the ground and in cage Violet Sulzbach denied eight shots.

Tsunami JV vs YJ Curcio 2031

In the first game of the winter league for the girls from Darien Connecticut, Tsunami JV picked up a big win surging past YJ Curcio 2031 with a 29–5 victory. From the opening draw, Tsunami dictated the tempo, pouring in 12 first-half goals before erupting for 17 more in the second half.

The scoring was balanced across the roster. Quinlan MacColl led all players with eight points, scoring four goals with four assists, orchestrating the attack with precision. Ellery Kraus tallied three goals with two assists. Caroline Galligan found the back of the net four times with an assist. Kelty Shea and Grace Willis each also had hat-tricks with two assist from Shea and one from Willis. In total, 13 different players recorded at least one point, reflecting the depth of their offense.

Despite the score this was certainly a valuable experience for YJ Curcio to play up in class against some of the most talented freshmen and sophomores in the tri-state area. Charlotte Hoschel was a bright spot, registering a three goal game on three shots on goal, with Madison Bratton and Morgan Kashetta each scoring once.

Tsunami Varsity vs Bayport Varsity

Tsunami Varsity took the field for the first time in the LILJ Winter League and put together a dominant offensive showing on Sunday, powering their way to a 17–11 victory over Bayport Blue Point behind a well balanced scoring effort and strong draw control play. Tsunami set the tone early with an 11-goal first half, building a lead that Bayport fought to chip away at but could never fully close.

Bayport’s offense found bright spots, led by Eva Carvalho (Albany), who delivered a standout five point performance with three goals and two assists and was a spark every time she touched the ball. Kailey Bruckner (Towson) and Charlotte Bishop added key finishes, scoring twice, while Liliana May (UMass) and Sara Richardt (Binghamton) contributed with playmaking in the midfield. Defensively, Bayport generated six caused turnovers and 12 ground balls, but Tsunami’s pace and efficiency remained difficult to contain.

For Tsunami, the attack was relentless. Cameron Pokorny (UPenn) stole the show with an 8-point explosion scoring four goals with four assists, orchestrating the offense with precision. Quin Chandler (Harvard) with three goals and an assist, Morgan Hite (Cornell) with two goals, Lilly Davenport (Villanova) with two goals and an assist,  and Anna Von Kennel (Florida)with two goals and three assists all played major roles in spreading the scoring across the roster. Tsunami also owned the possession battle, winning 13 draws and scooping 29 ground balls, allowing them to control tempo from start to finish. In the cage, Molly Spellman made six saves for Tsunami, while Peyton D’Angelo turned away six shots for Bayport against heavy pressure.

Tsunami JV vs Manhasset JV

It was the second game of the day for both Tsunami and Manhasset and for Tsunami they delivered another strong performance with a 19–4 victory fueled by a commanding second half and a balanced offensive attack. After taking a 6–2 lead into halftime, Tsunami exploded for 13 goals in the second half, pulling away and never looking back. The scoring came from all over the field, with 11 different players recording points. Caroline Reidy and Grace Willis each went for three goals and one assist, Kelty Shea struck for three goals, and Caitlyn Sherman scored twice with two assists to lead the charge, combining for 13 points. Caroline Galligan dished out three assists with a goal and Quinlan MacColl scored twice with an assist as they each played key roles in both transition and settled offense, while Ada Rossi, Ellery Kraus, and Avery White added timely goals to keep momentum firmly on Tsunami’s side. In the ground ball department White came away with five gb’s and defensively forced two turnovers. For Manhasset, Isabel Whang, Julianna Stepanian, Abigail Bauer, and Olivia Whang provided the scoring, with one goal each with also one assist from Whang and Stepanian, while Bauer also went 4/6 on draws.

Tsunami Varsity vs Northport

Tsunami varsity was back for game two on the day, this time against the Northport Tigers and they came away victorious, defeating Northport 14–5 with a balanced offense, superb defense, and standout goaltending. After taking a 6–3 lead into halftime, Tsunami turned up the pressure in the second half, outscoring Northport 8–2 and controlling the game on both ends. The offense clicked from the opening whistle, with the future gator Anna Von Kennel delivering another monster  performance, scoring five goals and leading all players in points. She was the bus driver of Tsunami’s offense, consistently finding seams in the Northport defense and finishing with confidence.

Supporting her was a deep cast of contributors including Cameron Pokorny (UPenn) with two goals and two assists, doing damage as both a feeder and dodger, and Peyton Joyce (Dartmouth) connected for two goals with a steady scoring presence, Quin Chandler (Harvard) sparked second-half momentum with two timely strikes. Lilly Davenport (Villanova), Morgan Hite (Cornell), Ryann MacColl scored a goal each, providing balanced scoring across all units.

Northport was led by Julianna Tietjen with two goals as she was strong at attacking off the dodge. Kate Atkinson (Vanderbilt) and Megan Florio (Marist) with a goal and an assist each — provided early scoring and distributing, and Ohio State commit Riley Cash scored once getting downhill in transition off the draw.

South Side vs Comsewogue

South Side and Comsewogue delivered one of the tightest games of the Winter League slate, with South Side pulling away late to secure a 7–6 win after the teams entered halftime tied 2–2. Strong two-way performances, clutch scoring, and timely defensive stops defined a back-and-forth matchup that stayed within one goal until the final whistle. South Side’s offense found its rhythm half behind Skye Korten (Albany), who put together a standout four-point outing scoring two goals and dishing out two assists. Bobbie Creo (Holy Cross) and Madalyn Napolitano each added two goals of their own, supplying the balanced scoring needed to overcome Comsewogue’s defensive pressure. Caitlin McNulty (UMass Lowell) chipped in a goal and an assist, while Reese Long (USF) was a ground ball machine with a game-high six gb’s as well as two caused turnovers, and Summer Stack also scooped up four ground balls.

Comsewogue matched South Side stride for stride thanks to strong individual efforts. Gianna McNulty (Binghamton) scoring two goals with an assist fueled their offense, creating matchup problems and generating multiple scoring looks. Parker Puglisi and Breanna Welsh also found the back of the net, helping Comsewogue keep pace.

In the cage, Kathryn Arrington (St. Leo) kept Comsewogue within striking distance with a seven-save performance, while South Side’s Tara Cody stopped five shots which included clutch saves to preserve the lead late for the Cyclones.

Garden City vs Bayport Varsity

Two of the island’s top teams went head-to-head with the Trojans of Garden City facing the Phantoms of Bayport. This game delivered a fast-paced, high-possession matchup. Bayport came out hot in the early stages of the game, scoring three of the first four goals, but Garden City would respond to ultimately bring the game to a 5-5 score going into halftime, and a strong second half from Garden City proved to be the difference as they outscored Bayport 7–4 after the break to earn a 12–9 victory.

The Garden City offense was powered by Kimberly Colucci (William & Mary) with a standout hat trick, finishing 3-for-4 shooting and adding highlight reel behind-the-back goal that swung momentum. Michaela Molgano (UPenn) was the team’s top distributor with four points, dishing out three assists along with a goal, consistently setting up cutters. Grace Brantuk (Cornell) connected on two goals, Katherine O’Hanlon (American) scored twice, and Averie Smith (Yale) added one goal and one assist. In total Garden City saw nine different players recorded at least one point. Garden City also controlled possession down the stretch, winning key draws behind Regan Backer (UVA), who went a perfect 4-for-4,

For the Phantoms Olivia Brady (Clemson), Liliana LiPuma (LIU), and Liliana May (UMass) each struck for two goals. Sara Richardt (Binghamton) and Ava Adams (Lander) each added a goal, helping Bayport keep pace early with opportunistic shooting and solid ball movement. Bayport continued to push late but Garden City’s second-half surge powered by efficient shooting and extended possessions ultimately separated the two sides.

Manhasset Varsity vs Westhampton Varsity

In a matchup between contending teams from both Nassau and Suffolk, Manhasset used a strong second half to erase a halftime deficit and power past Westhampton for a 12–10 victory. After trailing 5–4 at the break, Manhasset outscored Westhampton 8–5 in the final period behind balanced scoring, strong draw control, and timely defensive stops. Westhampton struck first and controlled much of the early tempo, leaning on a standout performance from the eighth grade phenom Mackenzie Klammer, who led all scorers with four goals on four shots-on-goal. Maiya Boughal (Dartmouth) scoring two goals, Reagan Schindler (Coastal Carolina) with one, Josephine Derby with one goal and one assist, and Lily Johnson with one goal rounded out a diversified offensive effort for the Hurricanes. In Manhasset’s comeback win they were fueled by Harper Lambert (Duke) who was electric, netting four goals, serving as the spark the offense needed. Danielle Perfetto (Brown) was equally impactful, putting up four points with two goals and two assists while coming up clutch on both ends of the field with strong rides and two caused turnovers. Mia Gavin (Lafayette) added two goals and one assist, while Elim Yang (Princeton) matched her with two goals and an assist. Sophomore Katie Murphy contributed with a three point outing scoring once and dishing out two assists and Megan Sica scored once with an assist as well to round out Manhasset’s scoring depth, helping the team total eight different point-producers.

St. Anthony’s 2026 vs Sayville

The reigning back-to-back champs of the winter league the seniors of St. Anthony’s faced the Golden Flashes of Sayville in a clash between two powerhouses. This one delivered the goods with neither side backing down, and when the clock hit zero these two teams finished in an 8-8 tie. Each team put up four goals in both halves, and neither side ever led by more than two—a true showcase of balanced lacrosse. Sayville’s offense was powered by a pair of standout scorers. FSU commit Dylan McNamara netted three goals which included the game-tying 8-meter shot with just over a minute remaining in the game! Sophia Buffardi (UNC) matched her with three goals of her own, leading Sayville in finishing efficiency. Carly Cangelosi (Rutgers) added a well-rounded performance with one goal, one assist, four loose balls, and a caused turnover, while Grace Jabour (Southern Connecticut) scored once to round out Sayville’s eight tallies. Sayville’s midfield hustle played a major role, winning 11 ground balls while defensively they forced 18 turnovers to disrupt St. Anthony’s rhythm. Defenders Tessa Meehan and Molly Moynihan were efficient in the clearing game and in one-on-one defense to disrupt shot opportunities for St. Anthony’s. In goal Julia Lilienthal (Vanderbilt) was key in keeping the Friar offense contained, with six saves and save percentage just under 50%.

For the Friars they saw balanced scoring of their own. Emma Speed (Florida) and Cameron Pupke (Princeton) each poured in three goals, as the offensive initiators. Meadow Szillus (Stony Brook) and Anna Christie (Notre Dame) added one goal apiece, with Christie converting on an 8-meter attempt.

Defensively, St. Anthony’s was active across the board between their defense creating turnovers and their attack on the ride led by gritty efforts from Madison Sussi (UMass), Pupke, and Kelsey Gorman (Siena). On the draw, the Friars earned six controls, helping them stay even in possession despite Sayville’s pressure.

St. Anthony’s 2027 vs Wantagh

St. Anthony’s 2027 put together a strong all-around effort as they entered this matchup against Wantagh 0-1 in pool play, bouncing back with 18–6 win where they controlled both halves with identical 9-goal frames and never allowing the game to tighten once they built an early lead.

The offense was firing on all cylinders, with six different players recording multiple points and three players finishing with five-point performances. Leading the charge with four goals and one assist was Keira Steck, showing her ability to finish inside and push the tempo. She was joined by Melania Moreo (Binghamton) sophomore and Fabiana Gallagher both of whom produced efficiently and constantly pressured the Wantagh defense, each with a hat-trick and two assists.

The Friars’ scoring depth shined as well. Chloe Mullady (Georgetown) scored three times and sophomore Kate Dolphin found the back of the net once, while Estee Mihos and Alexa Gibbs contributed strong playmaking with three points each. Nearly every offensive possession created high-quality looks, with St. Anthony’s putting 23 shots on goal and moving the ball crisply from behind the cage and through the elbows.

Wantagh was led by Sabrina Asudurian the future Stony Brook Seawolf who carried the offense with an impressive five goal outing with three draw controls and three caused turnovers, while Marykate O’Callaghan added the team’s other goal.

The LILJ Girls Winter League continues this weekend with games starting Saturday morning at 7am! Be sure to click here to tune into the livestream presented by LI Sports Network!