The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ lacrosse team has very high hopes for a successful season. The squad includes many returning veterans from last year’s team and a large group of skilled newcomers.
The 38 player team is coached by Linda Costello-Roth and Ysrael Gonzalez. The squad practices and plays on a field at Finley that adjoins the tennis court complex.
Finley’s roster includes seventh graders Kayleigh Bender, Tess Calabria, Jane Callery, Keira Coulter, Casey DiGioia, Emersen Evans, Stephanie Flores, Lily Froggatt Bale, Jada Joseph, Marley Joseph, Samantha Koepele, Sophia Lange, Megan Lewis, Isabella McCarthy, Samantha McGloin, Caroline McGreevy, Riley Murtagh, Jordana Paniccia, Brooke Parks, Olivia Polinsky, Reese Rinaldi, Olivia Spada and Ava Tizzio and eighth graders Talia Addeo, Grace Allen, Katherine Balm, Miranda Bellissimo, Hope Bilkey, McKenna Buffa, Hannah Byers, Gemma Cartwright, Quinn Fox, Sarah Krisch, Neha Rathore, Jordan Rund, Maria Sabatino, Anna Safonte, Carlee Schultz and Anna Bell Young.
A 10 game schedule is set. Finley will host home games against East Northport, Stimson, Commack, Bay Shore and Candlewood. Away games are scheduled at West Islip-Udall, West Hollow, Northport, Oldfield and West Islip-Beach.
Finley will depend upon its speed and strong shooting skills along with a suffocating defense. While the team includes some players brand new to the sport, many others have been playing lacrosse on the club level for many years.