Lynbrook part of tough conference

Lynbrook coach Vincent Tetro is expecting a heated race to develop for the Nassau Conference III girls’ lacrosse title, with as many as six of the 10 teams in the hunt to finish on top and earn a coveted playoff spot.

“It’s such a competitive conference,” he said. “Every game is important. We brought back a strong core on offense, so we’re focusing on developing chemistry on defense while we break in two brand new goalies.”

The Lady Owls, who qualified for the Class B playoffs a year ago and lost a first-round matchup with Plainedge, jumped right into conference play and split their first two games. They opened March 25 with a 14-7 victory at Jericho, and followed by dropping a 13-12 nail-biter at home to Island Trees three days later.

“We played well in both games but had trouble finishing against Island Trees,” Tetro said. “Their goalie made some big saves and we missed a bunch of chances. Put those two things together and you’ve got a one-goal loss. We’ve just got to put it behind us.”

Lynbrook’s “Big Three” on offense, seniors Ciara Gordon and Gabrielle Patick, and sophomore Molly Carter, each registered a hat trick in the loss after combining for 19 points in the win over Jericho. Carter had five goals and three assists, Patick four goals and two assists, and Gordon one goal and four assists.

Tetro said the Binghamton-bound Gordon, who was Honorable Mention All-County in 2014 after recording 23 goals and 24 assists, “has the best athletic IQ of any kid I’ve coached.” Gordon, a midfielder, is the quarterback of the offense, runs the defensive sets, and takes the majority of draws. “She’s been competing at a high level in three sports for three years,” he explained.

Patick, an All-Conference selection coming off a 64-goal season, flourished after a move from the midfield to attack. “She has a knack for scoring,” Tetro said. “She’s aggressive to the cage and has a very hard shot that’s tough to stop.”

Carter, a lefty attack, has been a huge addition, Tetro said. She returned to the district after playing at Sacred Heart last spring. “Molly has great knowledge of the sport and is just as talented as a passer as she is a scorer,” he said. “She’s a playmaker.”

Depth in the midfield is one of Lynbrook’s strengths, said Tetro, who added senior Gianna Dolce and junior Zoe Simeone are key attackers up front. Third-year contributors Olivia Piro and Breanna Renz, both seniors, are steady and experienced. Piro scored twice in each of the first two games. Sophomore Kerrin Montgomery is tall and athletic, and freshman Sophia LoCicero is a well-rounded player with speed.

Senior Amanda Swanson is the lone returning defensive starter. “She’s gritty and fast, and a groundball machine,” Tetro said. Senior Bridget Baran, a lockdown defender who ignites the transition offense with her speed, is being used as a hybrid D-wing, the coach said. Strong fundamentals earned sophomore Karaline Bartels a starting role on defense, where seniors Annie Murphy and Makenzie Teramo, as well as junior Michelle Cantanno also contribute.

First-year varsity goalies sophomore Laura Anne Marrandino and freshman Hope Germanakos combined for 10 saves in the win over Jericho.