Glen Cove splits a pair

The Glen Cove girls’ lacrosse team came into this past week looking to gain traction on an early season that has been all too frequently interrupted by intemperate weather. With head coach Nicole Sileo looking for her team to make a definitive statement, her girls responded by playing hard en route to a 13-12 comeback victory over Wheatley and a hard-fought 16-10 loss against Valley Stream. 

On April 3, the Lady Big Red walked in to Wheatley and performed comfortably under pressure. At the end of the first half, after a back and forth battle, Wheatley had led Glen Cove 8-6 at halftime. Glen Cove then marched back and outscored their competitors 7-4 in the second half, including a game-sealing goal by Tristyn Hudson with only 1:53 left to play. (Tristyn) Hudson finished with 4 goals in the game, while Alyssa Zangari tallied 5 goals in the game. 

Sileo lauded the effort of Wheatley’s sophomore sensation Sami Rothstein, whilst also giving ample credit to her defensive unit. “We face guarded her all game and I think we did well,” Sileo said. “We ‘held’ her to 5 goals, although thats not awesome, but she’s a phenomenal player.”

Glen Cove then looked to take that momentum into last Saturday morning’s matchup against Valley Stream after a scheduled game April 6 at New Hyde Park had been postponed due to severe weather conditions. However ultimately, a somewhat depleted version of the Lady Big Red were called upon for this game. “We had some seniors missing due to college visits…So we had some key starters missing,” Sileo said.

However, that gave way to opportunities for some of the younger players to show their skill on the field. Freshman midfielder/attacker Gabriella Schettino took advantage of the opportunity and netted her first goal of the young season. Zangari finished with 3 goals Trinity Hudson finished with a pair of goals and an assist, while sister Tristyn registered one goal and a pair of assists. Kiara Demosthene also scored two goals.

Lindsey Payton, a three-year varsity starter showed, even in defeat, why she is the anchor of this defensive corps. Goalie Colleen Lynch, whom Sileo has complimented for her growth in both her ability and role on the team, played strong as well. Midfielder Katherine Wilson also was strong off of the draw for the Lady Big Red as well. 

With seven games canceled due to weather thus far, Sileo just wants a steadier approach from Mother Nature.

“I think if we have more consistent outside practices, and once we don’t have all of these interruptions, we’ll get rolling and be better overall,” she said.

With a litany of different players contributing and a gelling of the team beginning to take place, Glen Cove will be a dangerous opponent for competitors going forward.

The Big Red plays its next four on the road and doesn’t return home until May 6 when Great Neck North visits for a 10 a.m. start.