Big start for West Hempstead

After being held scoreless in the first half and falling behind visiting Division early in the second half of their Nassau Conference ABC-III girls’ soccer matchup on Sept. 26, West Hempstead got its offense rolling in a big way to remained undefeated through five games in 2013.

The Lady Rams scored four unanswered goals in a 20-minute span, including a pair from senior Nina Boria, on the way to a 4-1 victory. Freshman Natalia Roberts and junior Ellen Murphy also scored, junior Lisa Waterhouse recorded two assists, and senior goalkeeper Jackie Christenson made three saves.

“It’s the first game we allowed the opening goal and had to battle back,” coach Mike Scaturro said after West Hempstead upped its record to 4-0-1 overall, including a non-conference win over New Hyde Park. “I thought the girls reacted well,” he added. “Once we got that first one, we kept it going.”

Coming off their fifth playoff appearance in seven years under Scaturro, the Lady Rams need to be one of the top three Class A teams in the conference to return to the postseason. Given their fast start and senior-led roster, Scaturro said he’s not too concerned about a playoff berth. “Our expectation is to be in the playoffs,” he said. “If we score consistently, teams will have a tough time keeping up with us.”

Boria, a track standout, is a fifth-year varsity performer and the fastest player in the conference according to Scaturro. “Nobody can stay with her,” he said. “She’s explosive. She’s going to get chances to score every game.” Boria had the team’s lone goal in a well-played 1-1 tie at Oyster Bay on Sept. 24.

Waterhouse also brings speed to the forward line, Scaturro said, and provides balance as primarily a left-footed shooter. “It throws the defense off,” Scaturro said of Waterhouse being a lefty. “Lisa’s a good passer and is a pretty fast too.”

Roberts, who has developed a scoring touch to go along with her size and skills, is getting time at forward and outside midfield. Boria, Waterhouse and Roberts all scored in a 3-2 victory over Bethpage in the conference opener.

Scaturro knows exactly what he’s got on defense. The group returned intact once again, marking a third straight season the Lady Rams boast the same starting four defenders and goalie. “We have great continuity on defense,” he said. “It’s rare to have all your starters back at a certain position for a third year.”

Christenson, a three-sport athlete with good hands and punting ability, has rock-solid seniors Taylor Freiermuth, Kaitlin Augustine, Reina Maldonado and Jamie Rodriguez to lean on. Maldonado has the green light to carry the ball out of the zone and get the transition game going.

In the midfield, seniors Brittany Schimmenti and Taryn Squiciarino are fourth-year varsity performers who set the tone, while freshmen Lisette Palomo and Taylor D’Alessandro are youthful sparkplugs. Palomo had both goals in the New Hyde Park game.