LI Lax Journal – Girls Fab 4 Suffolk Division 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!

Middle Country Girls 2017 Season Preview

Middle Country

Mascot: Mad Dogs

Suffolk Division I

Ranking: 1st

Key Returners:

• Jamie Ortega, Senior, Midfielder, UNC Commit, recently named number 1 recruits from Inside lacrosse
• Emily Walsh, Senior, Goalie, will be the backbone of the defense
• Ava Barry, Senior, Middie, BU Commit, been on the team since 8th grade
• Rachel Masullo, Senior, Midfield, LIU Brooklyn Commit
• Amanda Masullo, Senior, Midfield, LIU Brooklyn Commit
• Emily Diaz, Junior, Midfield, Bryant Commit, Torn ACL in Fall, Draw specialist

Key Losses:

• Jordan Aiello, Cortland

“Our team should be seasoned. Our seniors have been with us for ⅚ years now. We have a strong, core senior group that do a really good job for us.” -Lindsay Dolson, Head Coach, Middle Country

Best Case Scenario

The Mad Dogs are looking to make noise this Spring. The 2017 Middle Country girls team is one of the best rosters this program has ever had. Not only do they have the number one recruit according to Inside Lacrosse, but they also have several Seniors with High School Varsity experience.  Most of the girls on this year’s team have been together since 7th grade and they wish to make their last year one they will never forget.

Worst Case Scenario

An early exit from this year’s playoffs or not making an appearance in the County Championship would definitely be considered a failure. The Mad Dogs have a long season ahead and they’ve come up short a few times. It will be important for Middle Country to be one of the top seeds once that regular season comes to a close. Going into the playoffs with a top seed will set-up the Mad Dogs nicely for a chance to win it all.

Key Games:

• Wantaugh, 4/08, Home

• Smithtown East, 4/12, Home

• CSH, 4/22, Away

• Smithtown West, 4/26, Home

• Northport, 5/08, Away

Smithtown West Girls 2017 Season Preview

Smithtown West

Mascot: Bulls

Suffolk Division I

Ranking: 2nd

Key Returners:

• Jessica English, Senior, University of Vermont Commit
• Katy Aldrich, Senior, Tampa Commit
• Kayla Kosubinsky, Senior, Tampa Commit, Defender
• Taylor Menella, Sophomore, Hofstra Commit, Midfield
• Chelsea Witteck, Low Attack, Columbia Commit
• Grace Langella, Junior, Hofstra Commit, Low Attack & Midfield

Key Losses:

• Natalia Lynch, Georgetown, All-American Last year, All-Long Island
• Mackenzie Heldberg, Hopkins, 2nd Team All-American, 2nd Team All-LI

“Our girls don’t play for themselves. They play for us. They play for our team, our school, and our family.” -Carie Bodo, Head Coach, Smithtown West

Best Case Scenario:

A County Championship is on the radar for Smithtown’s core group of Seniors. If this Senior heavy group can successfully mesh with its sophomore studs, the possibilities are endless. Prior to coaching at Smithtown, Coach Carie Bobo was the Head Women’s Lacrosse Coach at Hofstra University. In an interview with Coach Bobo, she said, “Some of my best Hofstra teams didn’t have one superstar. Instead, they possessed a good group of girls that were willing to play together.” Carie compares some of her successful Hofstra team’s to her 2017 Smithtown group. A team effort this year might be enough for this group to accomplish their goal of winning a County Title.

Worst Case Scenario:

Not making the playoffs would be a huge let down for this year’s Bulls, as they feel they can make a legitimate run.  To make a run, they will need help from their younger players.  In a tough Suffolk Division I, it will not be an easy road.

Key Games:

• Northport, 3/29, Home

• Smithtown East, 4/20, Away

• Middle Country, 4/26, Away

Northport Girls 2017 Season Preview

Northport

Mascot: Tigers

Suffolk Division I

Ranking: 3rd

Key Returners

• Emerson Cabrera, Junior, Florida Commit, Midfield
• Meghan Smith, Senior, Monmouth Commit, Defense
• Natalie Langella, Senior, Bryant Commit, Attack
• Olivia Carner, Sophomore, Duke Commit, Midfield
• Claire Morris, Sophomore, Ohio State Commit, Goalie
• Danielle Pavinelli, Freshman, Florida Commit, Attack
• Nicole Orellana, Junior, Michigan Commit, Midfield

Key Lost

• Noelle Peragine, Midfield, Georgetown
• Kelly Jacobsen, Defense, Bryant

“Motto: NO EXCUSES.” -Carol Rose, Head Coach, Northport

Best Case Scenario:

Northport’s goal for the 2017 season is getting back to the County Championship. The Tigers have lost in the County Semi-Finals for the last 4 seasons. Star players like Emerson Cabrera (Midfield), Claire Morris (Goalie), and Nicole Orellana (Michigan) will need to perform at their best all season if the Tigers want to raise a County Championship plaque. Head Coach, Carol Rose, said, “This team has great chemistry, they work really well together, and are very unselfish. While this group is fairly young, they still expect to be a top contender in Suffolk Division I.”

Worst Case Scenario:

Not making it to the County Championship would be disappointing for the Tigers.

Key Games:

• Away @ Smithtown West – 3/29/17

• Away @ Smithtown East – 5/02/17

• Home vs Middle County  – 5/08/17

Smithtown East Girls 2017 Team Preview

Smithtown East

Mascot: Bulls

Suffolk Division I

Ranking: 4th

Key Returners:

• Shannon Kavanagh, Senior, Midfielder, Florida Commit

• Julia Smith, Senior, Attack, UMass

• Isabella Costa, Sophomore, Attack

• Gabrielle Schneider, Sophomore, Midfield/Attack

• Kate Schmal, Senior, Midfield

Best Case Scenario

On May 20th of last year, Smithtown East lost a nail-biter to eventual County Champion West Islip. Leading up to this game, Smithtown East had only lost 5 games, including two games by only one goal. This year, the Bulls reload and seek to climb back to the top of their Division. With a core group of experienced players, Smithtown might have enough firepower to compete with the likes of Middle Country, West, Northport, and WI in 2017. Come playoffs, this is a group to definitely watch out for. A trip to the County Championship is probably what’s expected from this under the radar group.

Worst Case Scenario

Not making it to a 2017 Suffolk County Championship.

Key Games:

• Middle Country, 4/12, Away
• Smithtown West, 4/20, Home
• Northport, 5/02, Home