Lynbrook has youth, promise

His team is young and so is the season, and Lynbrook girls’ lacrosse coach Vincent Tetro isn’t about to push the panic button after three tough losses to open the Conference II schedule.

The Lady Owls, with seven sophomores, seven juniors and only four seniors, failed to protect late leads against powerful Locust Valley and Hicksville and came up short by a goal both times. They also lost 11-10 to South Side last Friday.

On the flip side, Tetro’s team collected victories over MacArthur and Malverne/East Rockaway.

“We graduated eight starters and have a lot of inexperience on the field,” Tetro said. “All things considered, we’ve played real well. Our passing has been sharp. The only game I’d like to have back is Hicksville. We didn’t put the ball in the back of the net when we needed to.”

Hicksville goalie Victoria Lomangino stopped 18 Lynbrook shots on April 3 and saw her team net the tying goal with 57 seconds remaining in regulation. Courtney Locurcio then completed her hat trick in overtime, giving the Lady Comets an 8-7 home win. Senior Julia Sarnataro, junior Chandley Borges and sophomore Gabrielle Patick each scored twice in a losing cause.

Sarnataro has provided the offense with a big boost, Tetro said. A reserve a year ago when Lynbrook reached the second round of the Nassau Class B playoffs, she worked extremely hard during the offseason and improved in all areas. Through five games she had 16 goals and nine assists. “Julia’s become one of our playmakers,” Tetro said. “She’s really playing great.”

Borges is the go-to weapon. She gets the job done with a hard, accurate shot. “She’s an unbelievable finisher with great stick skills,” Tetro said. Borges has 13 goals and seven assists so far.

Defensively, the Lady Owls are led by seniors Jennifer Baran and Taylor Simeone, as well as juniors Casey Strauss and Gabrielle LoCicero. Baran, a three-year starter, is in charge of clears, while Simeone is a four-year starter and vocal leader. The group works in front of three-year starting goaltender Sarah Chyriwski, who opened the season with a 12-save effort to lead a 12-9 win over MacArthur.

The midfield was an area of concern, Tetro said, given all the departures but the group is holding its own. Senior Olivia Cohn is a four-year varsity player, sophomore Ciara Gordon is running plays like a quarterback, and sophomore Gabrielle Patick (seven goals) is developing into a steady scorer. Sophomores Olivia Piro, Bridget Baran and Breanna Renz also contribute.

“We’ve got a young team and a tough schedule,” said Tetro, “but the playoffs are within reach.”