Mepham aims for conference title

A year after qualifying for the playoffs in coach Melissa Rohr’s rookie season as coach, Mepham’s girls’ lacrosse program is 50 minutes away from securing a conference championship in undefeated fashion.

“We returned eight starters, but I didn’t know if we’d be in the position to win a conference title although that’s been our goal,” Rohr said. “The level of success has been a pleasant surprise, but all along I felt we were capable. We have great veteran leadership and the underclassmen have really stepped up and contributed.”

The Lady Pirates (8-0 in Conference A-IV and 9-5 overall), who had their showdown for the A-IV top spot with Friends Academy postponed last Friday due to weather, won their previous three and five of the last six while registering double figures in goals in each victory.

“Our offense is pretty balanced,” said Rorh, who played at Bethpage High School and LIU-Post. “It’s nice to have so many different weapons.”

Junior Erin Chalich, a returning All-Conference attack, leads Mepham with 40 goals to go along with 10 assists. “We call her the general of our attack,” Rohr said. “She’s extremely quick and shifty and has molded into a go-to player.” Chalich has scored at least three times in 9 of 14 games and popped seven into the net in a non-league win over Roslyn.

Junior Annemarie Hagerty ranks second on the team in goals with 30 and brings strong fundamentals and speed. During the three-game winning streak, she has 12 goals. “Annemarie plays hard all the time and goes aggressive to the cage,” Rohr said.

Senior midfielder Maeve Testa makes things happen at both ends, Rohr said, and can be a shutdown defender as well as a scoring threat and key on faceoffs. She earned All-County honors last spring and has 29 goals this season. “Maeve is a true two-way midfielder and brings that basketball mentality of playing both offense and defense,” Rohr said.

Freshman Alexa Ferrara (11 goals, 7 assists) and sophomore Kristina Monaco (10 goals) are growing quickly, Rohr said, and the latter plays an important role in the team’s transition game. Sophomore Jamie Madduluno has made a smooth transition from defense to the front row and uses her 6-foot frame to her advantage. Madduluno and senior Kelsey White each had a goal and an assist in a 13-7 win over Plainview on May 1.

The defense, led by All-Conference goaltender Hope Kotowski, has been steady. Kotowski, a senior, is a returning starter and the backbone of the back row, Rohr said. “When she’s tested, she usually rises,” Rohr noted.

Senior defender Taylor Drew is the vocal leader in the back and a workhorse along with senior Danielle Preattle, junior Amanda LaRossa and freshman Allura McManus. Up from the JV a few games into the season, McManus is getting the toughest one-on-one assignments.

“We’ve grown so much as a team since the opener,” Rohr said.