Carey searches for consistency

It was a tough 2014 season for the Carey girls’ lacrosse team. A year after capturing a conference title, the Lady Seahawks dealt with a rash of injuries and a tough schedule, and, as a result, the team won just five league games.

One of the problems that plagued Carey a season ago continues to be concern in 2015. The Lady Seahawks are, once again, struggling to find consistency. Carey stands at 2-3 overall, and is still seeking its first win in Nassau Conference III play. Among the foes the team will meet in league action are Baldwin, Lynbrook, Island Trees, Carle Place, and Jericho.

After three consecutive losses, all-one-sided affairs, the Lady Seahawks rebounded with a 14-8 win over visiting New Hyde Park. Amanda Guido found the back of the net five times to lead the way for Carey. Shannon Giddens added three goals and an assist.

Colleen Killoran, in her third year as coach, is hopeful the recent victory will be a sign of things to come. “We’re relatively young and inexperienced, so finding the consistency that we need has been difficult,” Killoran said. “We really needed this win badly. It’s a good morale boost for the girls after playing poorly the day before. In this conference, we can’t afford to play incomplete games. We can hold our own. We just need to play hard all game long, and we can be competitive.”

Carey’s defensive unit, which comprises senior captains Cheyenne Samson and Dana Susse, and senior Naomi Papaioannou, will need to be strong if the Lady Seahawks are going to be successful. Killoran points to the trio’s communication and leadership skills as keys to their performance. Samson scored four goals in a season-opening 14-2 win over Sewanhaka.

Hard-working sophomore Angelica Miceli-Kaya returns in the net for Carey. She is a conscientious player who has made considerable improvement. Miceli-Kaya registered 11 saves in the win over New Hyde Park.

Giddens, who has eight goals and a pair of assists on the young season, and fellow junior Mackenzie Nyitray, are off to good starts at defensive wing. Killoran gave props to Nyitray for a strong performance against New Hyde Park. Nyitray had a goal and set up three others.

Guido, the leading scorer in 2014, has a team-high 10 goals. The senior captain drives well to the cage, and can finish with either hand. Expect Guido and Giddens to fill the net up for the Lady Seahawks. Senior attack wing Daniela Vargas gets it done on both sides of the field.

Senior Brett Robison may be the team’s most skilled player. The fundamentally sound Robison defends well, adds plenty of scoring punch, and handles the face-offs. A big part of Carey’s present and future is Claire Curtin, a sophomore low defender. Curtin is an aggressive performer who plays with a lot of heart.

The Lady Seahawks host Friends Academy in a league contest on April 16 at 4:30 p.m.