Lady Rockin' Mules enjoy turnaround

After a difficult 2010 season, the Malverne/East Rockaway Rockin’ Mules found themselves in a new conference with a far more favorable schedule this fall. With a more cohesive roster, the results have been very respectable.

The Rockin’ Mules enter the final week of the season with an overall record of 7-5-1 (4-4-1 in Conference A-4) after recent back-to-back shutout victories over Great Neck North and Roosevelt. In the 2-0 win over Great Neck North, junior Kathleen Owens scored just 24 seconds into the match to get Malverne/East Rockaway started.

Head coach Joe Lores is happy with the turnaround the team has made. “After a tough year, we did some nice things this season,” Lores said. “The schedule was more manageable and the girls meshed as a team very well. It’s been an enjoyable season. We have a strong nucleus of underclassmen returning next year, too.”

The Rockin’ Mules got the season off to terrific start with four wins in their first six matches. In a 2-1 victory over Lawrence, Malverne/East Rockaway got goals from senior Cara Camerada and junior Karina Alvarado, and seven saves from keeper Kerri Vulpis. Alvarado has enjoyed a breakout season, finding the back of the net 13 times and assisting on three other tallies.

Alvarado’s breakout season made on impression on the head coach. “Karina gave us a big lift this season,” Lores said. “We had a lot of trouble scoring a year ago. Adding a player who has speed, can handle the ball well, and can finish was a big plus.”

Malverne/East Rockaway’s defense was solid all year long. Senior stopper Ally Lark had a terrific season to lead a group that helped Vulpis post five shutouts. Lark led the team with four assists. A trio of juniors, sweeper Jessica Deptulski, and fullbacks Jessica Cerasoli and Kim-lin Ramsawak were all solid on the back line for the Rockin’ Mules. 

Vulpis has been terrific in net for Malverne/East Rockaway. The senior keeper had 17 saves in the victory over Great Neck North, and stopped 18 shots in a 3-1 loss to first place Glen Cove.

At midfield, senior captain MaryKate Vulpis is a hard-nosed player who does a nice job controlling the flow of the game. Senior Molly Butler handled the throw-ins for the Rockin’ Mules. Senior Med Pierre gave Malverne/East Rockaway speed and energy. 

Freshman Jaelee Chinchilla, a late-season call up after leading the JV program in scoring, is another reason to give Lores optimism for the future. Chinchilla picked up a pair of goals after joining the team. 

Junior Taylor McGinn ranks second on the team in scoring with seven goals and two helpers. McGinn had a three-goal game in a shutout of Westbury, and scored twice to lead the Rockin’ Mules to a shutout win over Roosevelt. Junior Nicole Manza had her first career goal in a win over Westbury. Junior Felecya Schwarzman was injured and missed the second half of the season.