Calhoun off to strong 6-0 start

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Calhoun is sitting chilly atop the Nassau Conference III girls’ lacrosse standings at the midway mark with a perfect 6-0 record thanks in large part to its ability to jell a roster of experienced and first-year varsity players.

The Colts passed their biggest test so far May 11 when they held off neighboring rival Mepham, 6-4, after blanking the Pirates in the first half behind goaltender Lauren Boldis. The senior stopper totaled 19 saves in a lights-out performance and got offensive support from multi-goal scorers Rylee Raines and Olivia Correa.

“It was a good, scrappy win,” Calhoun coach Melissa Rohr said. “It was a serious test against a district rival. Mepham’s a quality team. Lauren was incredible in goal for us. She was the biggest reason we won.”

Calhoun, which also got goals from Sofia Mescolotto and Izzy Vieni, built a 4-0 halftime lead. Alicia Heller scored twice for the Pirates, who kept Boldis busy throughout. “Lauren is an aggressive and active goalie who keeps us in every game,” Rohr said of Boldis, a returning starter and captain who’ll play collegiately at Scranton. “She’s talented and humble.”

The defense in front of Boldis features three-sport athletes Lauren Rossi, a senior, and Olivia Perrone, a junior. They bring strong fundamentals and anticipate well, Rohr said. Junior newcomer Isabella Cespedes has solidified the group and is learning fast, the coach noted.

A couple of fourth-year varsity players spearhead the midfield. Raines, a senior captain, ranked among Nassau’s leading scorers through the first few weeks of the season. “She’s our do-everything,” Rohr said. “She’s a natural attacker who takes draws and shoots well from both sides.” Raines scored at least four times in four of the first six games and totaled 21 goals.

Junior Maggie Araneo is also a captain and a “true two-way middie,” Rohr said. “She has some of the best hands of anyone I’ve coached,” she added. “She has fluid stick skills, a great shot and is hard to defend.” Araneo had 12 goals and 10 assists through six games.

Up front, the left-handed shooting Correa is a three-sport athlete in her fourth varsity lacrosse season. “She’s the best all-around athlete I’ve coached,” Rohr said. “She’s a huge weapon in the elbow.” Mescolotto is a sophomore attack who saw varsity action in 2019. She had two goals in last Friday’s 6-4 win over Mineola. “Sophia has great moves and stick skills,” Rohr said. Vieni, one of two freshmen on attack, has developed chemistry with Correa and is also lefty. Freshman Shannon Lewis has six goals and seven assists, while senior Grace Radtke makes things happen from behind the cage.

In addition to Mepham, the Colts beat Carey twice, Hewlett, Oyster Bay and Mineola. Rohr said their goal to win the conference title is a realistic one.