The 2019 edition of the Eastport South Manor girls lacrosse team will be determined to make school history by capturing a State Championship. Even though last year’s squad won the Suffolk County class B Championship, a strong returning cast feels like they have something to prove. They have gotten close to the ultimate prize and are now laser focused on winning their final game this year. In order to reach such a lofty goal, Coach Thorne will turn to a highly accomplished trio of returning seniors to provide the leadership the Sharks will need if they are to develop the mental toughness and confidence that all great teams must have. Catherine Flaherty, who will be a Maryland Terrapin next year, will lead the defense, while two way Midfielders, Jaime Biskup (UVA) and Kasey Choma (Notre Dame, and U19 USA hopeful), should anchor the team at both ends of the field. On Attack, the Sharks expect good things from Jess Morrisroe and Celeste Forte, who both step into bigger roles this season.
In recent years, ESM has become a perennial contender in Suffolk County Class B. But it wasn’t that long ago that Thorne took over a new program in a community with no lacrosse history. Thorne credits Women’s Lacrosse Coaching Giants, Carol Rose (her Yellow Jackets Coach) and Shelley Klaes-Bawcombe (her Coach at Hofstra, now at James Madison) for helping her develop into the coach she is today. Year by year, they have been able to establish a standard of excellence. Such excellence leads to expectations. Many of the players have been playing together at a high level for a long time, so they are a close knit group. They hope their playoff experience and team chemistry will be the difference between this year and previous years, when they have fallen short of realizing their potential as a team.
ESM is well stocked and certainly a strong contender for the Suffolk County Class B Title, but it won’t come easily. Defending Class A State Champion, West Islip is now in Class B, joining West Babylon as rivals for the crown.
The Sharks will be tested early in the “Games for Brains” Tournament at Cold Spring Harbor High School, where they will face National Powerhouse, Darien (CT). Other big games will be when they square off against Mount Sinai and Bayport-Blue Point. Coach Thorne is admittedly tough on her players. But by holding them to a high standard, she is not simply readying them for a run at the State Championship, she is preparing them for life.
Key Losses
Hope Steuerwald (2018, Monmouth)
Hannah Kenneally (2018, Boston University)
Jordyn Biskup (2018, Jacksonville)
Dayna Martinetto (2018, Jacksonville)
Maddie Callan (2018, St. Bonaventure)
Emily Masera (2018, Binghamton)
Key Returners
Jaime Biskup (2019 M, Virginia)
Catherine Flaherty (2019 D, Maryland)
Kasey Choma (2019 M, Notre Dame)
Key Games
Vs. Darien (CT) Games for Brains
Vs. West Islip
Vs. West Babylon
Vs. Mount Sinai
Vs. Bayport-Blue Point
Vs. Westhampton
Stat Leaders
Kasey Choma
Jaime Biskup
Emily Masera
Katie Vahle
Catherine Flaherty
2018 Honors
Kasey Choma (2019, All-American)
Catherine Flaherty (2019, All-American)
Jaime Biskup (2019, All-Division)
Ellie Masera (All- Division)
Alexandra Giacalone (Unsung Hero)
Playoff History
2018- Suffolk County Champions
2017- Suffolk County Champions
2016- Suffolk County Champions
2015- New York State Champions
2014- Suffolk County Champions
2012- Suffolk County Champions
Social Media
@esm_gvl
Notable Alumni
Dene DiMartino (Johns Hopkins)
Allison Gionta (Marist)
Kaeli Huff (USC)
Kelsey Huff (USC)
Samantha Giacalone (Notre Dame)
See previews for every Long Island team by purchasing the LILJ app for $2.99 on your local app store (Apple) (Google Play) (Amazon)
