Lady Owls hope for big things

After a disappointing 2010 campaign, the Lynbrook Lady Owls had a bounce-back season on the soccer pitch last fall. Lynbrook finished in third place in Conference A-3 and earned a postseason berth.

Despite a loss to eventual state champion South Side in the opening round of the Nassau Class A playoffs, the Lady Owls look to carry over some momentum after posting an overall record of 6-3-4. Lynbrook will battle for conference supremacy with the likes of Hewlett, Valley Stream South, Roslyn, Glen Cove, Floral Park, and West Hempstead.

Lynbrook coach Jen Dankenbrink is hopeful that her team will meet her expectations. “I feel very good about this group,” Dankenbrink said. “I expect them to do well. The girls who are returning from last year look strong, and we have a lot of talented underclassmen. I’m hoping for big things from this team.”

The offense will have its top scorer returning, and the beauty is, she’s just a sophomore. Striker Patricia Loonie, who scored seven goals as a freshman, can do it all. Loonie has speed, can dribble between players, crosses well, and has a knack for finding the back of the net. 

Sydney Amato should complement Loonie well. The freshman striker has a world of potential. Dankenbrink expects Amato to register plenty of assists, but knows she can put the ball past the keeper as well.

Junior Meghan Montine is as tough as a bar of iron. Montine doesn’t mind mixing it up with bigger foes and never stops working. The frontline of Loonie, Amato, and Montine should be a handful for opponents.

Senior midfielder Chani Sebazco is one of Lynbrook’s most reliable performers. Sebazco is a solid two-way player who has tremendous soccer IQ, and serves as one of the team’s co-captains. 

A couple of newcomers join Sebazco at midfield. Freshman Victoria Barra carries the ball well and finds open teammates. Sophomore Julia Heaney handles the ball with both feet and has a terrific cross. Junior Skylar Ackerman will spell Barra and Heaney. Juniors Genny Freiman and Amanda Santorufo round out the midfielders for Lynbrook.

Despite losing most of their backline, the Lady Owls should be strong on defense. Senior co-captain Katie Loonie is the team’s stopper and vocal leader. She’s great at controlling the ball and has an outstanding throw in. Junior sweeper Aine Mooney forms a tremendous tandem with Loonie. 

On the outside, fleet-footed senior Rose Paskoff is one of the keys to Lynbrook’s transition from defense to offense. Sophomore Allison McDougal is a solid defender with excellent footwork. Junior Danielle Barra changes direction well and is good in transition. Senior Brianna Viglietta and junior Nicole O’Doherty, who is nursing an injury, hope to see time.

Freshman goalkeeper Michelle Cantanno has great hands and communicates well. Fellow freshman Kacie Curran will back up Cantanno, and will also play outside defense.

The Lady Owls host Glen Cove this Saturday at South Middle School at 10:30 a.m.