West Hempstead's talented and versatile

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West Hempstead has been knocking on the door to advance beyond the first round of the Nassau Class A girls’ soccer playoffs for quite some time under coach Mike Scaturro, who returned eight starters from last year’s team which suffered a heartbreaking triple-overtime playoff loss at Manhasset.

“We’re looking to get back to the playoffs and see what we can do in the first round,” Scaturro said. “We have high expectations.”

The Lady Rams got off to a 6-1-1 start, including 5-1-1 in Conference AB-3 with the lone defeat coming at Wheatley. “We’re looking forward to the rematch with Wheatley,” Scaturro said of the Oct. 1 home game at 2 p.m. “We’re going to change some things up next time we see them.”

One thing that could be different is where Wheatley will locate West Hempstead’s leading scorer Lisette Palomo. The senior forward/midfielder scored both goals for the Lady Rams in the first meeting and has 12 tallies through eight games. “She’s getting marked all over the place,” Scaturro said of Palomo, who last season had 13 goals and four assists. “She’s faster than she ever was, and her ball skills are through the roof. She can score from almost anywhere.”

Junior Taylor D’Alessandro (four assists) interchangeable with Palomo and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team win, Scaturro said. “Taylor is a hard-nosed player and a shutdown defender in the midfield,” he said. “We can also use her in the back. She plays high-level club soccer and has great knowledge of the game.”

Sophomore Sabrina Rodrigues, who plays center-midfield and stopper, is a finesse player with solid all-around skills. She notched the game-winning goal off a corner kick in West Hempstead’s 1-0 victory over Bethpage on Sept. 13. Sophomore forward Aruna Mathura, who scored twice and added an assist to lead a 5-0 win at Roslyn, plays opposite Palomo and has displayed consistent playmaking ability.

Senior Kelsey Reichert, who sees the field well and delivers smooth crossing passes, sophomore Genesis Holland, and freshman Kate Shanley comprise the group of outside middies.

With the help of a defense featuring a mix of veterans and underclassmen, sophomore goalkeeper Sydney Reitz has already posted five shutouts. She made nine saves against Bethpage. Last year, Reitz split time with Lydia Almeida, who has switched to sweeper. “Sydney started our playoff game last year and brings a lot of athleticism,” Scutarro said. “She’s confident and has good hands.”

Almeida has looked solid in her new role, the coach said, while senior Natalia Roberts, a fifth-year member of the varsity, works at stopper but isn’t afraid to join the attack. Roberts assisted Rodrigues’ goal against Bethpage. Senior Sophia Caldwell and sophomore Ashley Obando are the starting left and right fullbacks, respectively.

“We have a lot of versatility,” Scaturro said. “I just need to find the right mix for the challenge we have that particular day.”