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
A Twitter Poll conducted on March 20th pegged Garden City as having the best shot at winning a State Championship in 2017
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
Garden City’s Celia Concannon is a dream for Ivy League Women’s lacrosse programs. Celia will be heading to Harvard next year. Before she makes moves to Boston this Fall, she’s got her eyes set on another NYS Class B State Championship. Photo-credit: Newsday
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
Madison Miller is a senior midfielder heading to Vanderbilt in the Fall. Miller will need to step-up this year for the Indians. She definitely has the athleticism and ability to do so. Photo-credit: 3sixtyathletics.com
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
Alexandra Murphy is a stand-out athlete at Wantagh. Not only does she lead the Warriors on the lax field, but she’s an All-State soccer player as well. Can she lead this group to a County Title in 2017? Photo credit: News 12 Varsity
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
Kate Kotowski has the ability to take over a game. She’s a five-year varsity player and will be the key to the Seahawks offensive in ’17 Photo Credit: Newsday
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
Long Beach Goalie, Sarah Reznick, has been in the cage for the Marines since 8th grade. Sarah’s thirst for knowledge of the game has allowed her to grow as a goalie each year. Watch this super-star light up the field this season. Photo Credit: Newsday
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
Quinn Lacy is an acrobatic stopper who not only makes saves a goalie should make, she makes ones that most goalies don’t make. Her active style of play puts her in positions to pick off passes and create havoc for an offence.
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
In 2016, the last game for Nicole Concannon was a big win against Cold Spring Harbor. After being sidelined for the rest of the 2016 season, it’s safe to assume Nicole is excited to get back at it in 2017.
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
