New coach guiding Rockin' Mules

Posted

Building up the Malverne/East Rockaway girls’ lacrosse program is a goal for new varsity coach James Amalfitano, who spent last year as the varsity assistant after running the Lady Rocks middle school program in 2013.

“I’m going to try my best to help the program reach a higher level,” said Amalfitano, who also coaches lacrosse for the PAL. “Building the feeder program is important,” he added. “Last year’s varsity team went 7-7, which was a nice accomplishment. The girls are working better this year and split the first four games.”

Both of Malverne/East Rockaway’s wins came by identical 9-8 scores. Senior Samantha Partos had the game-winning goal in the opener against West Hempstead on March 29, and junior Emma Nicoletti provided the difference in overtime against Valley Stream District the following day.

“We lost 9-8 to Valley Stream in overtime last year, so it was good to turn the score around,” Amalfitano said.

The winning goal was Nicoletti’s second of the game. Junior Renee Best scored three times, senior Katherine Umana added a pair of goals, and sophomore Alessia Drevnyak and junior Lakaiya Eskarge chipped in a goal apiece. The goaltending tandem of junior Jessica Vita and senior Maia Robinson came up big, Amalfitano said. Vita made six saves in the first half, while Robinson stopped three saves in the second half plus four more in regulation.

“We’re going with two goalies right now,” the coach explained. “How they’re used on game day depends on who is working the hardest and how they’re practicing. The both do certain things well.”

Vita and Robinson are working with assistant coach Dominique Mosca, a former collegiate goaltender.

Vita played every minute of the opener and made eight saves in the win over West Hempstead. She got offensive support from Drevnyak and Chynna Mason, who netted two goals apiece. Umana, Nicoletti, Eskarge and Jennifer Keane also added goals, in addition to Partos. “Both teams played very well considering it was the first game out of the gate,” Amalfitano said.

Partos is a starting defender who’s no stranger to seeing some minutes in the midfield along with Umana, Best and Drevynak. The latter pair handle most of the face-offs. “Partos helps our transition game get going,” Amalfitano said. “She can carry the ball out of the defensive zone.”

Sophomore Amanda Barbaro anchors the back row and is the team leader in groundballs. “She’s a strong defender who is always in the right position,” said Amalfitano, who noted freshman Gabrielle Walsh is a talented defender with solid skills.

The coach said a recent loss to Herricks, a Conference IV team, was a good measuring stick to see where the Rockin’ Mules stand. Some of the opponents remaining on Malverne/East Rockaway’s schedule include Conference V rivals Sewanhaka, Roosevelt, Hempstead, Wheatley and Great Neck South.

“The girls have a motto,” Amalfitano said. “Two schools, one team. They know everyone has to play together to be successful.”