#1 Manhasset Lady Indians Season Preview

It’s Spring Break and the Manhasset Varsity girls lacrosse makes a quest to Florida in order to become ‘one.’ The Lady Indians played two teams during their time in the Sunshine State, winning both games surly. However, this trip down south wasn’t just for the competition, it was for something more important which stretches outside the lines. 2018 Assistant coach, Meghan Clarke, said “florida was the stepping stone we needed.” After spending time bathing in the sun, bowling for pins, and breaking bread as a team, Manhasset returned to Strong Island tighter, tougher, on a mission, as ‘one.’

The 2018 season motto for Manhasset was short, it was simple, it was “one.” When newly appointed Manhasset Head Coach Meghan Clarke was asked about the meaning of this motto, she said, “One means we play for each other, one group, one unit, if we play like that, we will be number one.” After losing their first game of the season to Cold Spring Harbor, Manhasset went 20-1, securing a New York State Class B State Championship. The Indians followed their process and did what they set out for, finish number one. The Senior leadership last year was a pivotal part of Manhassets success. Their leadership style not only carried a lacrosse rich town to a State Championship, it set-up the future of Manhasset girls lacrosse for success. Coach Clarke mentioned that, “the Seniors last year taught our Juniors well. Every minute we had together as a team, they worked hard.”

Manhassets leadership in 2019 will start on the defensive end and work it’s way up the field. Starting with Olivia Dooley, Senior defender who was great at the draw for the Indians a season ago. Dooley will be taking her talents to the west coast, playing for the Trojans of Southern California in the fall. In good company with Dooley are Seniors Caroline Mondiello and Casey Rozsko. Mondiello is an experienced defender heading to Stanford and Rozsko a seasoned returner who will become a Drexel Dragon in the Fall. The lady Indians return a lethal midfield which includes Juniors Maria Themelis (Upenn) and Maggie Arnold (Vanderbilt). Once of the most impactful returners between the lines is Senior Kelly Trotta (Marist). Trotta is an unselfish player who does it all for Manhasset. She can defend, earn ground balls, lead the youth on her team, and score on the offensive end. A positive force for the Indians, Trotta will be a key component to Manhasset’s success in 2019. We can’t write an article on the Manhasset Indians without mentioning their sophomore superstars Grace Gately and Emmal LoPinto. Gately not only puts the ball into the net, she earns draws for her team as well. She is a tall, rangy player who has great vision and IQ for the game. LoPinto is a slippery, skilled attacker who is great near and around the crease. She scored some tremendous goals for ‘Sat a season ago during big time situtations. When asking Coach Clarke about these two stars, she said, “It really helped us last year that LoPinto and Gately played Varsity hoops in the winter. They knew how to compete against High School athletes and were used to high pressure situations.”

If you were to ask Coach Clarke about the personality of this year’s team it would be “great!” Coach Clarke mentioned that, “This group knows when to have fun and joke around, as well as when to get serious and turn it on. They love each other like sisters and really care about one another.”

This year, Manhasset will extend their Spring Break to California to remain ‘one.’ Expect some big non-conference match-ups to be circled on the calendar. Two in particular are Connecticut power-hose Darien and Maryland juggerknot McDonough. Be sure to follow Manhasset all season long on instagram @manhassetglax Repeat? We shall see! #One

Key Losses

Madison Rielly (2018 A, Maryland)

Krissy Kowalski (2018 GK, UPenn)

Katie Bellucci, (2018 M, UPenn)

Key Returners

Olivia Dooley (2019 D/M, USC)

Caroline Mondiello (2019 D, Stanford)

Casey Roszko (2019 D, Drexel)

Maria Themelis (2020 M, UPenn)

Maggie Arnold (2020 M, Vanderbilt)

Grace Gately (2021 A/Draw)

Kelly Trotta (2019 M, Marist)

Emma LoPinto (2021 A)

Key Games

Vs. Cold Spring Harbor

Vs. McDonough

Vs. Darien

Social Media

@Manhassetglax

Notable Alumni:

Kate Breslin (2003, University of Virginia)

Lindsey Ronbeck (2015, University of Florida)

Halle Majorana (2012, Syracuse)

Natalie Stefan (2014, UPenn)

Erin Barry (2015, UPenn)

Meg Markhan (2011, UPenn)

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