Blue Devil Girls’ Lax Ready to Roll
The games remain to be played, but if the level of pre-season energy and enthusiasm is any indicator, this year’s Huntington girls’ lacrosse team is headed in the right direction. The Blue Devils won’t be satisfied with anything less than pushing deep into post-season play.
“We have 16 returning players who have a solid understanding of core principles and a team philosophy where we can now move to a higher level of system development, as well as isolate key team concept play and improve on the finer points of individual stick work,” said head coach Nancy Wilson, who will be assisted by Brad Reminick.
The Blue Devil attack appears solid with and excellent group of returning players, including Michaela Brown, Danielle Catanese, Sarah Ehrman, Alex Kimchy and Emma Hayes-Hurley.
Midfielders Angela Bosco, Emilie Pugliese, Colleen Wright, Allie Thompson and Emma Hayes Hurley bring speed and solid two-way play. The team’s low defense will be led by Holly Helstrom and Shea Scully, “who both have tenacity and strong communication skills,” Wilson said.
The coaching staff is eyeing the continued development of Sarah Casey and Lauren Gerbavsits, who will be returning to the team. Wilson said she’s also “looking forward to the potential additions of Danielle Cochrane and Jillian Kocis.”
Karly Kocis, who signed a NCAA Division I letter of intent to play at St. Bonaventure next year, returns as Huntington’s goalies, displaying agility, an aggressive nature and quick stick work. Kocis will be both challenged and supported by teammate Danielle Schantz, who demonstrate poise and focus during winter league play and Samantha Mohr, who battled successfully through various obstacles last season.
“Through winter league, we have also had the opportunity to witness exceptional play and gritty effort by Hannah Burnett, Madison Biernacki, Ali Mehring and Diana Harvey,” Wilson said. “In terms of our athletes, they posses speed, a willingness to succeed and have the ability to challenge their opponents and come out on the winning side.”
Entering her second year as Huntington’s head coach, Wilson expects her squad to be able to compete with Suffolk’s best. “This will take hard work and focused effort to learn an offensive system and a new defensive zone, but I believe the quality and motivation behind the girls will make it possible,” she said.
The Blue Devils will open league play against highly touted Rocky Point. “To prepare for the skilled opponents we play within our league we have arranged for several scrimmages, including teams such as Farmingdale, Northport, Our Lady of Mercy, Harborfields, Half Hollow Hills and Kings Park,” Wilson said. “The more we are able to play against quality competition, the more we will develop our fluidity, synergy and system play.”
Huntington is looking to turn the page this spring and start a new era in program history. After a very challenging start last year, which resulted in six straight losses, the Blue Devils turned around their fortunes, winning seven of their final eight regular season games and earning a playoff berth. The team had to adjust to a new system and philosophy. Wilson was the third head coach in three years. She stressed team play above any individual heroics. Players accepted the challenge and displayed commitment to personal growth and to the unit as a whole.
“I think our athletes are quality individuals who are ready to compete at a high level,” Wilson said. “They recognize now it not only takes individual and team skill, but second effort, gritty and never back down attitude, with a full commitment to each other. These are high expectations but I believe they are ready for the challenge and the adventure. I personally feel extremely fortunate to coach these Huntington athletes and will not take one moment for granted this season.”
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