Chemistry a key for Hewlett

After a rocky 2015 season, the Hewlett girls’ lacrosse team is hoping improved chemistry on and off the field will lead to better results this spring. 

“Everyone is focused this year,” Lady Bulldogs coach Pat Gormley said. They’re starting to really come together and play as a team.”

Hewlett is 2-2 so far this season, and defeated New Hyde Park in their Nassau Conference IV opener. The Lady Bulldogs expect to improve on last year’s 3-13 finish, and a more balanced and cohesive offensive attack is one of the biggest reasons why. 

“We’re definitely showing improvement,” Gormley said. “In the past we’ve had only a few players scoring the majority of our goals. This year we have four or five kids that can really score. Our players need to keep each other involved in the offense, and keep their feet moving, and they’ll be fine.”

Senior Olivia Epstein, junior Kylie Halperin and junior Samantha Stern will be asked to carry much of the offensive load this season, and Gormley believes his talented trio of attackers will be up to the task.

“Their stick skills have all come a long way,” he said. “They seem ready to take a step up this year, and contribute on a more consistent basis.”

The Lady Bulldogs have a mix of experience and youth in their starting attack wing positions, with senior Casey Levy and freshman Margo Verschliser. Both are expected to serve as spark plugs for the team’s offense.

“Margo has improved a lot from last year. She had the stick skills, but didn’t have the confidence she has now,” Gormley said. “And Casey has been one of our best players for the past couple of years.”

At the center position is junior Kristen DeCicco, who has been filling up the scoresheet for Hewlett in the early going. Gormley described her as an unstoppable player, when she is able to find the space to shoot. 

Patrolling the middle of the field for the club is senior Sydney Corda and junior Ali Beyda.

“Aly switched positions from low-attack to defense, and she’s really gotten a lot stronger this year, and has been very solid defensively,” Gormley said. “Sydney is one of the fastest kids on the field. She tries hard, and she’s always going after the ball.”

Juniors Nina Squicciarini, Erin Schecter and Michelle Gaykov combine to give the Lady Bulldogs plenty of experience in the defensive zone. Their familiarity with each other has helped them thrive in the early going.

“They always know where each other are, and that’s helped us a lot,” Gormley said.

Junior goalkeeper Gillian Moser has also been a major reason for Hewlett’s encouraging start. She made 24 combined saves in her team’s first two wins. 

The chemistry seems to be right for the Lady Bulldogs, who host Division this Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. And with talent up and down the lineup, Hewlett appears heading towards a much more competitive season.