Rebuilding process for Lady Rams

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A year after capturing the Conference AB-3 girls’ soccer title and finishing 12-2-1 overall, West Hempstead is in rebuilding mode with almost twice as many underclassmen as upperclassmen in its starting lineup.

“It’s the complete opposite of last year,” coach Mike Scaturro said. “We lost nine seniors and they all played a lot. Now we’ve got two seniors and two juniors starting. Everyone else is young.

“One good thing about having such a young team is the core will be together for three years,” he added. “Some are returning starters and some are learning the speed of varsity on the fly.”

The Lady Rams, who lost a tough 2-1 battle to Wantagh in a Nassau Class A first-round playoff game last fall, have split their first six of 2014, going 2-2-2. “We’ve played OK,” Scaturro said. “Once we figure things out, we’ll compete.”

Scaturro doesn’t rule out such a young team making a playoff run — the top three in the seven-team conference get in. West Hempstead has reached the postseason six times in eight years with Scaturro at the helm. “It’s a goal every season,” he said.

Senior Lisa Waterhouse (five goals) and sophomore Lisette Palomo, with a combined seven years on varsity, lead the offense. Waterhouse, a four-year performer, is a captain and off to a fast start. The forward/center-midfielder netted the team’s first goal of the season in a 1-1 tie with Hewlett in the opener, and had a hat trick in a 3-3 deadlock with Carle Place. “She’s quick, strong on the ball and has an accurate left-footed shot,” Scaturro said.

Palomo, in her third varsity campaign, began the season at midfield but switched to forward after three games. She assisted on all three of Waterhouse’s goals against Carle Place, scored twice in her first game up front to lead a 3-1 victory over Valley Stream South, and had the game-winner in a 2-0 decision over Oyster Bay. “She’s skillful and can get by defenders,” Scaturro said. “We needed to get her more touches near the goal.”

Freshman Taylor D’Alessandro, primarily a defender a year ago, has been a nice fit at center-midfield, the coach said. “She’s a gritty player with good footwork,” Scaturro said. At outside midfield, sophomore Kelsey Reichert earned a starting job after a solid JV season and improvement during the summer, while sophomore Carly Stills and eighth-grader Genesis Holland have provided consistent contributions. Stills, one of the team’s most-versatile players according to Scaturro, has been called upon to log minutes at forward and center-midfield. “We have speed and athleticism in the midfield,” Scaturro said.

Defensively, senior Ellen Murphy is settling in as the stopper after spending last season as a midfielder. Sophomore Natalia Roberts, the organizer in the back, is fast and tall. Juniors Sandra Rodriguez and Stephanie Carcamo, both up from JV, are the starting fullbacks. “They’re skillful and understand their roles,” Scaturro said.

In goal, freshman Lydia Almeida has displayed reliable hands and punting ability. She made six saves against Oyster Bay for her first shutout.