Wantagh continues to aim high

A season removed from a heartbreaking finish, the Wantagh girls’ lacrosse team is eager or a fresh start.

The Lady Warriors fell just short of playing for a chance to repeat as county champions in a 10-9 overtime defeat to Manhasset in the Class B semifinals after surrendering the tying goal with just 0.1 seconds remaining. Many faces from last year’s 15-3 team have graduated and first-year coach Greg Cody is turning to a new group of motivated seniors who have eyes on playing meaningful postseason lacrosse late this spring.

“They are as unselfish and supportive a group as I have seen in my years of coaching,” said Cody, who arrived at Wantagh after serving as an assistant coach at a resurgent Long Beach program. “They are very hard workers.”

Wantagh’s drive for another big season is led by four captains committed to play on the collegiate level next year in midfielders Megan Gordon (Northwestern), and Alexandra Murphy (Massachusetts) along with goalie Emma Lemanski (Adelphi) and attacker Taylor Carson (Arizona State). Cody said in addition to being strong competitors on the field, he is also impressed by their dedication in the classroom with all four having a 92 or above grade point averages.

“I get there and they are already running practice,” said Cody of his captains. “Now is their time.”

Gordon, Murphy and Carson each recorded hat tricks in Wantagh’s season-opening 10-5 win against Farmingdale. The Lady Warriors also have offensive threats in seniors Alexa Adduci and Kayla Conway, juniors Katelyn Kearns and Catherine Russo as well as eighth-grader Sabrina Caruso. Conway has keyed extra Wantagh possessions early in the season on the draw control circle with 12 draw wins in a 12-9 victory versus North Shore on March 23.

Lemanski anchors the defense in net following graduation of All-American Grace Beshlian and recorded 14 saves in the Farmingdale victory. She plays in back of strong defensive unit led by sophomore Danielle Carson and junior Anna Kaufmann, who have verbally committed to USC and Hofstra, respectively. Senior Pace-bound defender Taylor Rossi and her classmate Gabriela Cesaro also key Wantagh’s defensive effort.

Wantagh competes during the regular season in Conference I, which features Nassau County’s 10 strongest programs. For the playoffs, Wantagh will compete in Class C for the first time due to a drop in enrollment and Cody is expecting strong competition for county supremacy Cold Spring Harbor, Seaford, Lynbrook and Plainedge. Cold Spring Harbor, the three-time defending Class C champions, edged Wantagh 5-4 on March 28.

“We’re going to be tested,” said Cody, who played lacrosse at CW Post. ”We have our work cut out for us.”

Wantagh is next in action at home against Massapequa at 4:30 p.m. before a road game this Saturday at Suffolk County power Middle Country. 

Since arriving at Wantagh, Cody has been blown away by the support of the parents and the Wantagh Sports Booster Club, who have organized meals that help enhance the team’s chemistry. “There has been great support from the parents and community,” he said. “It has been amazing.”