Seaford primes for Class C run

With nearly every starter back, Seaford girls’ lacrosse has high goals this spring.

The Lady Vikings graduated just one senior from last year’s team that went 9-5 in a challenging regular schedule before suffering a 12-9 upset loss to sixth-seeded Carle Place in the Class C quarterfinals. Head coach Kurt Dankenbrink said the disappointment of missing the semifinal stage for the first time since 2010 serves as extra motivation for his many returners.

“That loss last year gave us some extra focus,” said Dankenbrink, who founded the program in 1999. “That fire is definitely there.”

Leading the charge for Seaford’s quest to reach the program’s first county title game are midfielders Alyssa Mallery and Allison Palermo, who registered five and seven goals, respectively, in a season-opening 13-8 non-league win at Lynbrook. Mallery will play college lacrosse at LIU Post after her senior season while Palermo, a junior, has committed to Division I powerhouse Northwestern.

“They are a one-two punch,” said Dankenbrink of his two big scoring threats. “They are working in tandem and freeing each other up.”

Seaford has an assortment of other returning scoring options including sophomores Jaclyn Grzelaczyk, Kaitlyn Grzelaczyk, Lily Kolodinsky, Julia Siler as well as freshman Gina Toscano.

Toscano tallied 11 goals as an eighth grader last year and is also a key weapon on draw controls setting up transition opportunities with her speed. “She is a speedster,” Dankenbrink said of Toscano. “Things are really starting to click with her.”

The defense is paced by senior LIU Brooklyn-bound goalie Dana Duggan, who recorded nine saves in a 15-7 win against Hicksville on March 21. The close defense is anchored by returning starters Molly Van Dusen (Molloy College) and junior Kaitlyn Meyer along with sophomore Katrina Michaels.

“We have experience, youth, speed and chemistry,” said Dankenbrink. “We have a very special group.”

Dankenbrink is satisfied with his depth despite only having 19 players on the roster. He said the renewal of a middle school girls lacrosse team this spring after a four-year absence should help develop younger players to prepare them for varsity. “That is a huge plus to help the program grow,” Dankenbrink said of the middle school team.

Dankenbrink said Cold Spring Harbor is a strong favorite in Class C, but that reaching the program’s first championship game is within reach. Oyster Bay and Carle Place are also expected to be in contention for the title chase.

Seaford entered the first week in April at 3-1 coming off a 16-4 win against East Meadow on March 29. The lone loss was a hard-fought 11-9 defeat to Class A opponent Port Washington.

“We’re almost all back and it’s showing early on,” Dankenbrink said of the strong early start. “We want to get to the Class C finals.”

The Lady Vikings are next in action for their Class C opener on Thursday against Mineola at 4:30 p.m. The last regular season home game on May 6 pits Seaford against Carle Place in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals.