Lacrosse star dominates

Wantagh resident Jackie Sileo has had a season to remember at LIU Post, and has been nominated for the Tewaaraton Award, which recognizes the best male and female college lacrosse players in the country.

Sileo, 21, was selected as the East Coast Conference and Lacrosse magazine Preseason Player of the Year. She was put on the Tewaaraton Award Watch List in February, and her points and assists totals are currently tops in both the ECC and the NCAA Division II rankings. She was also recently named the ECC’s Player of the Year for the third straight season.

“It’s definitely an amazing feeling,” Sileo said of the Tewaaraton Award nomination. “It’s unbelievable to be recognized with those amazing Division I players.”

On April 2, Sileo made her mark in the NCAA women’s lacrosse record book. After breaking the Division II career mark for points in 2013, she set an NCAA record for most points all-time in any division in a 14-9 victory over Dowling.

“Jackie is an incredible person and player,” LIU Coach Meghan McNamara said. “She’s an attacker, and she’s all about the team.”

McNamara described Sileo as a playmaker, adding that her phenomenal vision and character show on the field. “She always wants to get better,” McNamara said. “She brings life to the game of lacrosse.”

“The biggest thing is my love for the game,” Sileo said. “If you don’t have that, you don’t have anything.”

Sileo, who went to Beech Street School, Wantagh Middle School and Wantagh High School, earned an undergraduate degree in psychology last May. She is currently enrolled in the clinical mental health counseling graduate program, and is slated to finish her master’s in December 2015. Beyond that, she is unsure whether she wants to play lacrosse professionally or begin a career in the mental health field.

She offered some advice for younger lacrosse players who are looking to be successful. “They need to work hard and keep focused on their goals,” Sileo said. “Lacrosse has taught me so much. This has been the best time of my life.”