New challenges for Calhoun

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Calhoun enjoyed a breakthrough campaign on the girls’ lacrosse field in 2016 with an undefeated conference championship and 14 wins overall.

This spring, with Nassau County reverting to ability based conferences instead of enrollment; the Lady Colts have their work cut out against Conference II opponents. Coach James Raucci calls the competition “a big step up,” but was encouraged by his team’s performance in a 14-11 loss to South Side on March 27.

“We’re getting to see some high-level lacrosse,” Raucci said. “The South Side game showed if we play really well, we can definitely compete. We need to bottle up that performance and keep bringing it. It was a one-goal game with two minutes left. It’s going to take that kind of effort every day to be successful in this conference.”

Senior attack Megan Keener scored a career-high seven goals and senior midfielder Devon Bayer added a hat trick to lead the Lady Colts against South Side, which had nine different goal scorers. Calhoun senior goalie Gigi Kapoosuzian made a dozen saves.

“We have a mixed group of experienced varsity players and some newcomers up from the JV,” Raucci said. “It’s important that we value every possession and play smart.”

Bayer, who is headed to the University of Colorado at Boulder, is a returning All-County performer and Calhoun’s most integral piece, Raucci said. Bayer had five goals and three assists in a 15-9 non-league victory over East Meadow on March 22. “She’s a big spoke in the wheel,” he noted. “Devon is excellent on draw control, has great wheels and a tremendous set of skills. She attracts a lot of attention and makes a lot of good things happen.”

Keener is a strong and shifty offensive weapon with a lefty shot. She was Honorable Mention All-County a year ago. “She loves to compete and does all the little things well,” Raucci said. “She can finish around the net and she’s also an accurate passer.”

Junior Megan Schiaffo is one of the team’s best two-way players and is utilized up front and in the midfield. “She’s really athletic and works well away from the ball,” Raucci said of the All-Conference selection. Like Schiaffo, who had two goals and two assists in a 10-9 overtime loss to Division on March 24, senior Annie Coogan and Taylor Curcio are versatile sparkplugs and could play anywhere except in goal. Curcio had three points, including a goal, in Calhoun’s season-opening 12-2 win over Freeport on March 20.

Kapoosuzian is a returning starter between the pipes and brings athleticism and quickness to the position. She’s also skilled outside the cage, Raucci said, and can get the Lady Colts moving in transition with a strong outlet pass. Seniors Julia Miguel and Lauren Marinello, and junior Honora Campbell lead the defense in front of Kapoosuzian.

“You can learn a lot playing against teams like Oceanside, South Side and Lynbrook,” Raucci said. “It’s a learning experience.”