Long Beach's bar remains high

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Coming off its best season in program history, one that saw it win 12 games and reach the Nassau Class B girls’ lacrosse final for the first time, Long Beach got 2018 off to a positive start with a thrilling 9-8 double overtime victory at North Shore on March 20.

Sophomore Maggie Reznick’s fifth goal of the day, off a feed from junior Jillian Canner, ended the Conference I opener with 20 seconds remaining in the second OT. Canner had three goals and two assists, and junior Lexie Correia added two goals and an assist. Reznick had given the Lady Marines an 8-7 lead with 42 seconds to go in regulation off a long outlet pass from older sister Sarah, an All-American and three-time All-County goaltender.

“We’ve got a younger crew on offense that’s trying to jell,” coach Rachel Ray said. “The defense is doing everything asked of it and Sarah’s taken us to another level over the years. After getting the semis two years ago and then the finals last year, our goal is the county championship.”

Sarah Reznick is a sixth-year starter between the pipes and headed to play at the next level at the University of Florida. “She’s accomplished just about everything a high school athlete can,” Ray said. “She’s like having a coach on the field. She directs the defense and continues to improve every day even though I thought I’ve seen it all from her.”

The shot-stopper isn’t Long Beach’s only Division I recruit. Senior attack Emma Pfaff is headed to Boston University and coming off an All-Conference campaign. “Emma’s probably our best player in between the 30s,” Ray noted. “She’ll run in the midfield and is a key piece at both ends.”

A talented crop of juniors comprises the midfield, where Correia and Hannah Lewis spearhead the offensive push. Ray said Correia was the team’s secret weapon last season when defenses focused on since-departed standouts Siobhan Rafferty and Katie Whelan. Correia had five points, while Maggie Reznick and Canner added four apiece in the 11-8 semifinal playoff win over Manhasset. “Lexie is so explosive and has an unbelievable shot,” Ray said.

Correia, Lewis and classmate Fiona Rafferty play vital roles on draw control, Lewis is seeing time up front because of her finishing ability and had three goals and three assists through four games. Ray described Rafferty as the team’s fastest player who makes her presence felt in the defensive zone.

Maggie Reznick and Canner are both coming off All-Conference performances last spring. They provide the offense with consistent threats from the right and left side, respectively. Seventh-grader Delaney Radin had the winner in a 4-3 triumph over Wantagh, and freshman Heather McAvoy is showing lots of promise. 

In the defensive zone, juniors Daisy Willard and Charlotte Kile are the anchors. Willard is a standout crease defender and a “groundball machine,” Ray said, while Kile is a steady influence at the back of the zone and sparks the transition game. Senior Dylan Bannon and freshmen Rivers Cunningham and Maura Conway are important pieces to the puzzle as well.

A rematch of last year’s county championship game takes place April 24 when Garden City visits for a 7 p.m. start.