Young Colts learning quickly

Although a late rally by Calhoun fell one goal short in a 6-5 decision to Division on March 28, the Colts caught a glimpse of what could lie ahead on the lacrosse field after a 10-day break for the holidays.

Calhoun (0-4 overall) scored four times over the final eight minutes with junior midfielder TJ Marrapodi netting two goals and senior Jon Strezenec and eighth-grader Derek Abitz each tallying one. “We came alive a little too late in the fourth quarter,” coach Jim Femminella said. “If the fourth quarter were another minute longer we could have won.”

The Colts continue to work a number of younger players into the rotation, including Abitz, who assisted on the team’s first goal of the season in a 9-4 loss to North Shore on March 20, then added his first career score in the loss to the Blue Dragons. “I think over the April break [when] we have 10 days before our next game it will be a really big building block for the team,” Femminella said. “They [realize] that even though things are not going our way, we’re getting better.”

The majority of the returning experience comes on the defensive side of the field,
so it’s no surprise that Calhoun favors a methodical, slower tempo that maximizes

Strezenec, Anthony Wilders and Wally Coveny, all seniors, are the anchors of a backline that also benefits from the return of senior Matt Lemonis in net. In a 6-2 loss to Plainview JFK on March 24, Lemonis, whose strength is his athleticism and quick hands with the stick, stopped 14 shots. “We’re big and physical [defensively,” Femminella said.

Senior Cole Kalibat, along with sophomore Kyle McGinley and Marrapodi, anchors the Colts first midfield line. Due to injuries Kalibat, the team’s best offensive weapon, has flashed his versatility by taking on a number of roles but has still found the back of the net twice in the first four games. Sophomores Patrick Chin and Brian Downey and freshman Spencer Kaufman are all part of the second midfield line.

Senior captain Brendan Nestola and senior Brandon Furia handle all of the dirty work at defensive midfield. The unit suffered a big loss in the first game when junior Jake Nestola was sidelined with an injury that could keep him out most of the season.

The attack is led by juniors Tony Cardinal and Pat Grubb and sophomore Brendan Schiaffo, though the unit stands to be boosted by the upcoming return of sophomore Colin Bayer, who’s missed time with a hamstring injury. Abitz has played primarily in man-up situations but could see an increased role as the season wears on and boasts outstanding stick skills.

A strong group of non-conference opponents may have meant a few early season lumps for Calhoun in the short-term, Femminella is hopeful it pays off in the long-
term. “We’re trying to build on hosting a home playoff game last season,” he said. “We scheduled a really tough non-league schedule to get the kids used to what it’s like playing big lacrosse games.”