West Hempstead continues to aim high

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Pushing a pair of Class A rivals from Nassau’s top girls’ soccer conference to overtime in the opening round of the playoffs in consecutive seasons has earned West Hempstead plenty of respect.

In 2015, the Lady Rams lost a 1-0 triple-overtime heartbreaker against fourth-seeded Manhasset, and last fall they gave No. 3 Wantagh a scare before suffering a similar postseason fate. This year, they’re looking to reach the playoffs for the fifth time in six seasons and take the next step. 

“We’ve managed to play our best soccer at the end of seasons and battled two teams from Conference I pretty tough in the playoffs” West Hempstead coach Mike Scaturro said. “We’re hoping to build off it and try to pull off the playoff upset this time.”

The Lady Rams finished 8-4-3 (6-3-3 in Conference ABC-III) a year ago and return more than half of their starting lineup, including three award winners and an experienced goalkeeper. They’ll face Jericho, Bethpage, Division, Friends Academy, New Hyde Park and Mepham twice apiece. “We’re not in an easy league by any stretch,” Scaturro said. “It’s going to be very competitive.”

A good portion of West Hempstead’s experience is in the midfield and back row. Senior Taylor D’Alessandro is a fifth-year member of the varsity and committed to play at the next level at Iona. She’ll spend plenty of time at center-midfield but also contribute to the offensive attack, Scaturro noted. “Taylor’s a complete soccer player,” he said. “She’s a really strong defender but we need her in the midfield and she’ll make offensive runs at times.”

Junior Sabrina Rodrigues, who earned All-Conference honors last season, is likely to work as a center-midfielder after enjoying a strong summer league while primarily on attack. “Sabrina plays high-level club ball,” Scaturro said. “She’s also a complete player and has great vision.”

The Lady Rams will rely heavily on senior All-Conference selection Lydia Almeida, a four-year varsity player, to continue to be a steady influence on defense and handle some re-starts and corner kicks. “She reads the game well and has a strong leg,” said Scaturro, who noted junior Ashley Obando and sophomore Kate Shanley, who moves from the midfield, to play a large defensive role in front of keeper Sydney Reitz.

Reitz, a junior, has improved every year, the coach said, and stood out in the summer with only three goals allowed during the new 7-on-7 league. “She’s a solid shot stopper and punter,” Scaturro said. “Her presence in goal gives the defense confidence.”

At forward, lightning-quick junior Shyla Burrell returned to the program after sitting out last season. “She’s extremely fast and will get lots of opportunities to score,” Scaturro said. “Her speed makes her dangerous and she’s developing as a shooter.” Senior Katherine Burgess and junior Aruna Mathura also provide quickness up front, while junior lefty Genesis Holland enters her fourth varsity campaign.

With the football field undergoing a transformation to turf, the Lady Rams take this year’s Homecoming stage on Sept. 16 against Friends Academy at 11:30 a.m.