West Hempstead focuses on fundamentals

Attempting to build a competitive girls’ lacrosse program at West Hempstead is no easy feat. With no junior varsity team, and the lack of a local feeder program, new coach Nicole Byrnes has her work cut out. The Rams are coming off a season that saw them pick up just three wins.

Despite the obstacles, Byrnes, who coached the middle school team for the past two seasons, is optimistic that her program can be one that is on the rise. With a roster composed of young, athletic players, and a manageable schedule, West Hempstead expects to be competitive in Nassau Conference V.

After dropping their first two games, the Rams gave Byrnes her first career victory with a dramatic 10-9 overtime win over Valley Stream District. Senior Kayla Cleare carried the ball out from behind the net and fired the game-winner above the goalie’s shoulder. The goal, which came with less than a minute to play, was Cleare’s her fifth tally of the game.

Byrnes is up for the challenge of building the program. “I’m definitely excited about the opportunity,” Byrnes said. “We’re focusing on building a foundation, and it starts with strengthening the fundamentals. Most programs don’t have to spend a lot of time teaching throwing, catching, and picking up ground balls, so we’re at a different stage than most. So far, things are going very well. We’re on our way.”

Cleare leads a strong group of midfielders. She’s a ball magnet, has a knack for scoring, and does a terrific job on face-offs. Senior captain Jamie McSpedon is the team’s vocal leader. Like Cleare, she also wins her share of draws. McSpedon had three goals in a 9-8 loss to Malverne/East Rockaway.

Sophomore Hailey Destasio has made considerable improvement. Her ability to shoot with both hands is a big plus. Versatile senior Kira Bettineschi can play just about anywhere on the field. She scored a pair of goals against Malverne/East Rockaway.

Junior Stephanie Caracamo leads the defense. Caracamo is an aggressive defender who has excellent lacrosse IQ. Freshman Kai Marshall is a strong, aggressive player with a ton of potential. Junior Harmony McDonough does a nice job of thwarting scoring opportunities.

Senior Maia Jones handles the goaltending duties for the Rams. Jones’s strengths are stopping low shots, and starting the team in transition.

At attack, senior Emily Wirtz carries the ball well, and controls the flow of the game. She’s complemented by the lightning-quick Lisette Palomo. The sophomore D-wing is a first-year player with terrific athleticism. Freshman Taylor D’Alessandro is a big part of the present and future for West Hempstead.

Byrnes likes the direction of the program, especially after picking up the first victory. “Getting a win definitely gives us more to feel optimistic about,” Byrnes said. “We’re coming along. Our fundamentals are getting stronger, and now we can work more on strategy.”

The Rams will travel to Hempstead for a league contest next Tuesday, April 14 at 4:30 p.m.