MacArthur embraces new conference

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After a successful 2013 season in Conference IV, the MacArthur girls’ lacrosse team is stepping up to the challenge of a new league midway through this spring.

The Lady Generals, 14-2 a year ago, moved up to Conference III and captured four of their first six games.

“I knew going into Conference III it was going to be a battle,” said MacArthur head coach Janine Bridgewood, who played women’s lacrosse at Hofstra from 1998 to 2001 and helped lead the program to its first NCAA Tournament as a senior. “So far we are doing really, really well.”

With a senior-laden team, Bridgewood said reaching the second round of the playoffs is a major goal. The Generals, who have eight seniors, will compete in the Class B playoffs this season after spending many years in Class A. 

MacArthur is led by three senior captains who will play on the collegiate level in goalie Samantha Santeramo (Bryant), attacker Alex Goodelman (Hartwick) and midfielder Kelly McQuail (Dowling). Santeramo, a Wantagh resident, earned All-County honors as a junior and recorded 19 saves in a 19-6 win against Island Trees on March 27. 

“They are our core players,” said Bridgewood of her tri-captains. “They have been big for us.”

Another member of MacArthur’s large senior class is midfielder Kristen Politi. The Wantagh resident, who will be competing on the Hofstra cross country team when her high school career concludes, registered six points on two goals and four assists in MacArthur’s convincing win against Island Trees.

Other senior midfielders Bridgewood is counting on are Jen Race, who lives up to her name with tremendous speed, and Samantha Morra. Bridgewood said Morra has emerged as someone who can contribute both on offense and defense.

“She is our most versatile player,” said Bridgewood of Morra. “She is our unsung hero.”

Adding to MacArthur’s veteran offensive unit is freshman attacker Erin Vaughan Ware. The Seaford resident excelled at Salk Middle School two years ago and played varsity as an eighth-grader in 2013. 

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