Baldwin aims for winning season

Eager to turn the page on last season, Baldwin’s girls’ lacrosse team got 2015 off to a positive start with three consecutive victories out of the gate including a 15-4 decision over Roslyn in the Conference III opener.

“We might be in a lower conference than we were last year, but it’s super competitive and I’m expecting a lot of close games,” Lady Bruins coach Nicole Lein said. “We’ve got our work cut out for us. We want to jell as a team and have a winning season.”

After struggling in Conference II and missing the playoffs, Baldwin was moved into Conference III where only the first-place team is guaranteed a spot in the postseason. In addition to Roslyn, the Lady Bruins will face Island Trees, Lynbrook, East Meadow, Friends Academy, Clarke, Carle Place, Carey and Jericho.

“We weren’t as successful as we wanted to be last year, so we were looking for a good start,” Lein said. “I’m happy with how we’re playing, but we have some real challenges ahead.”

The biggest test for opponents will be trying to contain Baldwin’s midfield trio of senior Kelsey Cohen, junior Bridget Jules and sophomore Sarah Pulis. Cohen, bound for the University of Cincinnati, is a five-year varsity player coming off an All-County campaign. In the first three games, she totaled 14 goals and four assists. “Kelsey has a huge impact at both ends of the field,” Lein said. “She’s a leader on attack, but also plays a crucial role on defense. Other players look up to her, and she’s a great teammate.”

Jules is also valuable at both ends and like Cohen, off to a big start offensively with 12 goals and four assists. Both of them had six goals in a season-opening 16-11 win over Hewlett. “Bridget is a good decision-maker with great stick skills and good speed,” Lein said.

Pulis, who wasn’t in the district last year, started for the Lady Bruins as an eighth-grader. “She’s a big-time scoring threat who uses her height and speed,” Lein said. “She likes to play at a fast pace.” Pulis scored five times and added two assists in the conference-opening win against Roslyn.

Junior Nicole Shantel was a bright spot between the pipes a year ago, earning Honorable Mention All-County, and has committed to UMass-Lowell. She’s totaled 33 saves in three games, with nearly half of those—16—coming in a big effort versus Roslyn. “She’s a very vocal goalie who keeps her composure,” Lein said.

Seniors Julia Alt, Sophia Moore and Olivia Mance, and junior Deanna Noonan lead the defense. Moore and Mance are converted midfielders who play a key role in igniting the transition game, Lein said.

On attack, junior Morgan Rachlin, a captain along with Cohen, is a leader on the field with good vision. Senior Alyssa Leone works hard from sideline to sideline, while junior Deirdre McIntyre, and sophomores Sam Conforti and Meaghan George are off to fine starts as well.