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Partly Cloudy and Breezy Carey ahead of learning curve
Carey girls’ lacrosse lost seven seniors from a team that finished in third place in their conference a year ago. With two seniors and 13 underclassmen comprising the 2012 roster, some growing pains are expected for an athletic, yet very young squad.
With the Lady Seahawks at 4-3 overall (2-2 in Nassau Conference III-B), coach Maura McNamara is optimistic that her team is ahead of the learning curve. “Being extremely young, you don’t know exactly what to expect from them,” she said. “I’m pleasantly surprised thus far. The athleticism and skills that these girls have are better than anything I have had here in the past. The girls are really rising to the occasion.”
Carey’s season got off to a terrific start with a thrilling 16-15 come-from-behind win over district-rival Sewanhaka. Freshman Maria Gargiulo led the way with six goals and two assists. Sophomore Jaclyn DiMarco added four goals as the Lady Seahawks knocked off last season’s league champions.
Gargiulo, who has scored 14 goals on the year, is one of two young centers who should do big things now and in the future at Carey. DiMarco is a small, feisty competitor with a knack for finding the back of the net.
Junior Alyssa Mayer has improved markedly. Her stick work and scoring touch, along with an aggressive style of play, has been a big factor in Carey’s early success. Mayer had three goals in a 15-10 loss to Mepham. Kim McGrath is another young player with tremendous ability. The freshman attack wing scored three goals in a 16-11 win over Malverne/East Rockaway.
Eighth-grader Brett Robison, who scored her first varsity goal in the win over Malverne/East Rockaway, is a talented player who has not been a bit intimidated by playing at the varsity level. McNamara believes the sky is the limit for Robison. Seniors Nicole Annoscia and Jacqueline Del Ciello are both contributing on offense.
Junior defense wing Jamie Dahl has been superb at both ends of the field. Dahl, who has 13 goals on the season, is versatile enough to face guard an opponent on defense or carry the ball and finish on the offensive end. Sophomore Kasey Ilardi is another player who gets it done on both ends of the field.
Needing leadership on the defensive end, junior Hannah Mutum was called upon to move from a home position to point and cover point on defense, and she has been tremendous in her new role. A pair of freshmen, Dana Susse and Cheyenne Samson, are aggressive, athletic defenders who are progressing nicely.
Returning in the net for Carey is Willow Helmkamp. The junior goalkeeper, who had a career-high 18 saves in an 8-6 non-league win over Wheatley, comes up with clutch saves in big spots. Juniors Mary Celis and Catherine Shea could also contribute.
Carey hosts Great Neck North on April 17 at 4:30 p.m.
