Midfield sets tone for Baldwin

After a couple of tough losses to open its Conference II schedule, Baldwin’s girls’ lacrosse team began what coach Nicole Lein hopes to be a successful April with a 14-8 non-conference victory under the lights at Island Trees on the first day of the month.

The Lady Bruins’ All-County midfield tandem of senior Jessica Markowitz and junior Kelsey Cohen led an offense that scored six times in the first half and eight times in the second half. Each of them had seven points. Markowitz scored four goals and added three assists, while Cohen had a hat trick and four assists. Junior Alyssa Leone and sophomore Bridget Jules chipped in two goals apiece.

“We have to keep taking steps to get better,” coach Nicole Lein said. “The girls need to keep their heads up and play with a little more intensity.”

Lein described Baldwin’s previous game, a 14-4 defeat at much-improved Syosset on March 27, as an “eye opener.” Prior to that came a disappointing 8-7 loss to Oceanside in the conference opener. “We came back a little too late against Baldwin,” she said. “We didn’t win nearly enough of the groundballs. The girls know that was the difference.”

The Lady Bruins (2-3 overall), who reached the Nassau Class A playoffs last season and lost a well-played matchup with Port Washington in the first round, boast a deep and talented midfield with Markowitz, Cohen, Jules and junior Olivia Mance.

Markowitz (39 goals in 2013) is not only dangerous with the ball in her stick, she’s also an outstanding defender, Lein said. “If we have to faceguard someone, she’ll get the assignment,” she said. “We’re confident with the ball in her stick because we know she’ll settle the offense and make good decisions.”

Feeding the ball to Cohen led to big things last season when she scored 58 times to lead the team. “Kelsey is really strong in transition and is aggressive to the cage,” Lein said. “Other coaches know she’s a major threat. Any time she’s gotten the ball so far, teams doubled her right away.”

Jules, a low attacker a year ago but a midfielder on her club team, has moved to the midfield for the Lady Bruins and had instant chemistry with Markowitz and Cohen. “Bridget has adjusted really well,” said Lein, who added Mance, the top JV midfielder in 2013, brings speed to the position and has improved with each game.

The defense didn’t return any full-time starters from last spring but is starting to jell in front of sophomore goaltender Nicole Shantel. “Nicole is excelling in all areas,” Lein said. “She’s more vocal and aggressive, and she’s kept us in every game.” Junior Julia Alt has taken on a leadership role in the back and knows Lein’s zone system well after making a handful of starts last season. Other key contributors are seniors Katherine Bautista and Sam Nelson, junior Jessica Garcia, and sophomore Deanna Noonan.

Up front, Leone has stepped into a bigger role, junior Moran Rachlin has good passing and anticipation skills, and senior Kayla Martinez makes sharp moves to the cage.