Strong start for Lady Owls

For a second consecutive season, Lynbrook is off to terrific start on the soccer pitch. With last Saturday’s 3-0 victory over visiting Friends Academy, the Lady Owls improved to 4-0 (2-0 in Conference AB-3). Senior captain Patty Loonie scored two girls and assisted on another to lead the offense.

Lynbrook, which opened the season with six consecutive wins and earned a playoff berth in 2013, registered its third consecutive shutout. Junior goalkeeper Michelle Cantanno had five saves for the Lady Owls. Freshman Gina Giovinco added a goal and assist.

Coach Jen Dankenbrink is optimistic about her team. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself, but I’m pretty excited about this bunch,” Dankenbrink said. “The girls work real well together. They might be the most talented team I’ve had here. They’re pure soccer players who play on club teams and know the game. They’re very dedicated to soccer.”

Cantanno, an All-Conference honoree as a sophomore, is in her fourth year as starting keeper for the varsity team. Cantanno is quick on her feet, and has outstanding soccer IQ. She hasn’t given up a goal since a season opening 8-3 road win over Seaford.  

Loonie, who Dankenbrink refers to as perhaps the best player she has ever coached, picked up All-State honors as a junior. She has been a force in the early going, registering eight goals and six assists through the team’s first four games. Loonie has committed to play at Binghamton University.

Junior captain Sydney Amato, an All-Conference forward as a sophomore, has made a terrific transition to sweeper. She’s joined on the backline by junior stopper Kasey Curran. Both are skilled players who see the field well. Curran plays a physical brand of soccer, and has a knack for thwarting scoring opportunities.

Senior Allison McDougal and junior Hailey Greif man the right and left defender positions. Both do a good job of defending the passing lanes. Greif generally marks the opponent’s best defender.

Sophomore Erin Loonie controls play from her center midfield position. She goes well to the left or right, and is always first to the ball. Julia Heaney is a versatile performer who crosses the ball well from right midfield. Junior Tori Barra handles left midfield duties.

Junior forward Alexa Amato is a talented player who has two goals on the season. The fleet-footed Giovinco is a big part of the present and future of Lynbrook soccer. She has found the back of the net five times and has the three assists.

Dankenbrink, who is assisted by Lisa Gallo, hopes her team will be able to play strong throughout and secure a higher seed in the playoffs. “The leagues are realigned, so there are teams we don’t know a lot about,” Dankenbrink said. “We’d like to be able to get better seed, and go a step further. If we stay healthy, we should be able to.”

The Lady Owls host Valley Stream North on Saturday night at 8 p.m. at Marion Street.