Oceanside focused on 'A' rivals

Despite graduating 10 significant contributors from a nine-win team that reached the Nassau Class A girls’ lacrosse semifinals for a fourth straight season, Oceanside is back running with the big dogs in Conference I.

“We’re focused on the A schools and looking to finish as high as we possibly can and avoid being the No. 4 seed in the playoffs,” coach Ralph Montera Jr. said. “Last year we lost some close games but got better as the year went on and played our best at the end. This year we have a nice mix of seniors and juniors.”

The Lady Sailors, who defeated Farmingdale in last year’s quarterfinals, 13-12, and fell to Massapequa, 12-10, in the semis, returned only three goal scorers and a few defensive starters from the postseason. Senior captains Kasey Flavin and Julia Burns lead the effort in the back end and bring multiple years of experience.

Flavin accomplished a rare feat for a defender by scoring a goal in Oceanside’s 11-7 non-conference victory over Lynbrook on April 4. “Kasey has the ability to race up and down the field,” Montera Jr. said. “She’s a big part of our clearing game and transition.” Burns, a soccer standout, is a steady stay-at-home type, he added. Junior Olivia Burnside is the team’s top crease defender who brings a high lacrosse IQ and varsity experience as the first sub called into action last spring. Freshman Mia Judd is learning quickly after a strong 2017 campaign at the JV level.

Senior goaltender Ronnie Reilly has played well in the early stages, Montera Jr. said, and making smart decisions. She totaled nine saves in the win over Lynbrook and turned aside 20 shots in a loss to Cold Spring Harbor a week earlier. Sophomore Caroline Kraemer is pushing for playing time and made three stops in her varsity debut.

Offensively, the Lady Sailors (1-3) are leaning heavily on seniors Payton McMahon and Nicole Kreamer, and talented sophomore Julia Schwasnick to carry the torch. 

McMahon is handling about 60 percent of draws and plays a vital role at both ends of the field, Montera Jr. said. She scored once in last year’s playoff win and has seven goals through four games, including four against Syosset. “She’s the definition of a two-way player,” the coach said. “She can score and pays great attention to details on defense.”

Montera Jr. describes Schwasnick (five goals) as an “elite athlete,” who’s physical, fast and explosive. She’s taking about 40 percent of faceoffs and like McMahon, found the net against Farmingdale last May. Junior Jamie Mecca has earned a larger role in the midfield and brings energy along with a knack for scooping groundballs.

Nicole Kreamer, the lone returning attacker, is an accurate feeder and already has nine assists. Juniors Katie Morgan and Lucia Alamia flash quality stick skills, and sophomore Annelisa Milano adds another dimension to the group as a left-handed shot.

“I think Class A is pretty wide open,” Montera Jr. said.