Seaford aims for big stage

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Coming off its third straight Nassau Class C semifinal appearance last season, Seaford girls’ lacrosse entered 2014 with a senior-laden team looking to take that next step as a program.

Seaford went 9-8 in 2013 before falling to top-seeded Cold Spring Harbor in the semifinals to finish just shy of reaching the championship game stage. The Lady Vikings fell to North Shore the previous two seasons in the semis including a heartbreaking 13-12 setback in 2012.

“We are looking to get to the county finals,” said coach Kurt Dankenbrink, whose team is off to a 1-3-1 start in 2014 against a competitive schedule. “We have a nice group of seniors.”

Leading Seaford’s charge to advance farther is senior Albany-bound attacker Emma Schait, who registered 89 points as a junior. Schait tallied six goals and one assist in Seaford’s 14-12 win against Clarke on March 19.

“She is our go-to player,” said Dankenbrink of Schait, who also excels academically. “She does it all.”

Joining Schait on the attack unit are seniors Victoria Prodan and Michelle Savino, who had two goals in close early-season losses to Hewlett (15-13) and Oceanside (11-8). Senior Jen Molnar, who registered two goals and an assist in a season-opening 11-11 non-league tie with MacArthur, switches between the attack and midfield units.

“The attack is our strength,” said Dankenbrink, who founded the Seaford girls lacrosse program in 1999. “We like to play at a fast pace.”

Seaford’s midfield includes freshmen Allison Palermo and Caitlin Meyer, who both also play defense, as well as senior Renee Savino. Other key defenders are senior Marissa Scialpi along with sophomores Alyssa Mallery and Abby Wolfin.

Patrolling the Seaford defense is senior goalie Desire Fowlkes, who is a converted midfielder. Fowlkes helped keep Seaford in a tough non-league battle with Oceanside on March 27 with seven saves.  

“She is very strong with quick hands,” said Dankenbrink of Fowlkes, who was also a standout basketball and volleyball player at Seaford. “She is a great athlete.” 

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