#3 Garden City Lady Trojans Season Preview

Returning 13 Seniors, Garden City will be back in contention in 2019. When talking to Coach Diane Chapman about this year’s squad, she said, “these girls love the game of lacrosse and every time they step on the field, there is no doubt they give 110%.” The Culture isn’t really going to change much in Garden City because the core of their team is back and what has been working for years does not need to be fixed. Instead, GC will continue playing discipline, smart, and unselfish lacrosse.

One of the most lethal key returners for the Trojans is Senior and Cardinal bound midfielder, Liana McDonnell (Stanford). Dangerous on the draw, McDonnell has great endurance and never stops on a play, and her work ethic is nothing but remarkable. Off the field, she’s a great example for the younger girls coming up in the Garden City program. Her impressive nature on and off the field is a big reason why McDonnell is a captain in 2019. Another captain is future Upenn Midfielder, Caitlin Cook. Cook has a great first step on the circle, and with her and McDonnell on the draw together, Garden City is guaranteed to have an edge. Cook is a scrappy player and that’s why she is good at gaining possessions. Future Gator and Senior midfielder, Sarah Mackey (Florida) leads by example. Mackey is not flashy but she is effective, and she’s fast as the snap of a gators bite. She’s always in the right spot at the right time. Mackey rounds out one of the better midfield units on Long Island.

Senior attacker, Ella Heaney (USC), and Senior, Jen Kubler (UMass) will take control in 2019. What Heaney does best is that she controls the offense, and she sets up her teammates. Coach Chapman believes that Heaney is going to have a big season in 2019. Last year, Jen Kubler tore her ACL, which is always devastating. Before Kubler went down, she was bumped down to low attack. Kubler has worked tremendously hard to come back from her ACL injury, and she should be back to 100% this season.

On defense, the Trojans return Senior goalie, Emily Gaven (Georgetown). In 2018, Gaven embraced her role as the starter, gaining confidence and experience each and every game. Her play earned herself Honorable Mention All-County honors in 2018. No questions asked, Gaven is the leader of the defense and she is extremely verbal, communicating clearly and effectively with her defensive unit. The top defender protecting Gaven is Kara Metzler (Holy Cross). Like Gaven, Meltzer communicates well with her unit. Meltzer is quick, has good footwork, and she does a great job locking down on ball.

The Trojans 2019 class is tough, athletic, skilled, experienced, and deep. That combination is scary in High School girls lacrosse. If Garden City stays on track and plays their best ball in late May, we might be seeing their 8th State Championship since 2008. Follow Garden City’s journey back to the top by tuning into FLG’s instagram and twitter @FLGLAX all season long.

Key Losses

Jenn Medjid (2018, Boston College)

Deanna Weisenberger (2018, Stony Brook)

Key Returners

Liana McDonnell (2019 M, Stanford)

Caitlin Cook (2019 M, UPenn)

Sarah Mackey (2019 M, Florida)

Ella Heaney (2019 A, USC)

Jen Kubler (2019 A, UMass)

Emily Gaven (2019 GK, Georgetown)

Kara Metzler ( 2019 D, Holy Cross)

Key Games

Vs. Manhasset (Woodstick Classic)

Vs. Darien

Vs. St. Anthony’s

Vs. Sacred Heart

Returning STAT Leaders

Liana McDonnell (GBs)

Caitlin Cook (Draw Control)

2018 Honors

Jenn Medjid (2018, All-County)

Catherine Conway (All-County)

Liana McDonnell (2019, All-County)

Caitlin Cook (2019, All-County)

Julia Kavan (Honorable Mention All-County),

Emily Gaven (2019, Honorable Mention All-County),

Amanda Cerrato (Honorable Mention All-County)

Playoff History

New York State Champions – 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017

 

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