Finley Girls Lax Showcases Young Talent

The J. Taylor Finley Middle School girls’ lacrosse team takes the field this week for its first games, including the home opener on Saturday at 10 a.m. against visiting Stimson.

Finley is coached by Hildi Stafford and Greg Dieterich. In the duo’s first pairing last spring, the team finished the season with a 7-2-1 record.

The team has been practicing on its field adjacent to the school building since Monday, March 27. It will play its games at the same site.

The roster features seventh graders Mea Andrea, Emma Barch, Grace Bartasi, Ava Bencivenga, Claire Dello-Iacono, Violetta Fox, Gracie Griffith, Cassidy Harris, Julia Hotine, Juliet Johnson, Matison Kindelman, Alessandra Leotta, Violet Palacios, Campbell Proctor, Darcy Rimkunas, Nicolina Santoli, Alexa Wasoski and Lia Zivkoic and eighth graders Amelia Carino, La-Khiasja Casey, Alexis Haas, Sophie Hoffman, Erin Langton, Alexandra Learned, Fiona Lynch, Leah MacManus, Dakota Respass and Darcy Verville.

Nine games are scheduled with home contests against Stimson, Commack, Oldfield and West Babylon and away games at East Northport, West Islip Udall, Lindenhurst, West Islip Beach and Northport.

“This year’s team is led by eighth grade captains Amelia Carino, Lexie Haas, Fiona Lynch and Dakota Respass,” Stafford said. “Our group is extremely hardworking and enthusiastic about the upcoming season. There is a large new group of seventh graders adding to the team’s talent and raw athleticism. The seventh graders are led by midfielders Clare Dello-Iacono and Ava Bencivenga along with goalie Juliet Johnson. The team has been preparing for the first game in practices focused on a strong defense that talks, winning those ground ball battles and aiming our shots on goal. Last year’s player experience coupled with this year’s player talents will hopefully be a recipe for success.”