Oceanside's expectations remain high

Oceanside peaked at the perfect time last season after hitting some bumps in the road early and came within a few bounces of its first-ever girls’ lacrosse county title.

The Lady Sailors, who had six of their last seven games decided by a goal, including a 10-9 loss to Massapequa in the Nassau Class A final, appear primed to make another run at the crown under new coach Ralph Montera Jr.

“Confidence had a lot to do with the run we made last year and we’re looking to challenge for the county championship again,” said Montera Jr., who worked under former coach Ken Dwyer for a decade. “Even though we’re not back in Conference I, we’re in a very competitive Conference II that’s going to challenge us.” 

The way Montera Jr. designed the non-league schedule, with five games against teams from the top conference, Oceanside will see 15 of Nassau’s top 20 during the regular season. “The biggest obstacle being in Conference II is the highest we can be seeded is fifth,” Montera Jr. said. “We know it’s going to be tough and we’re just going to work that much harder.”

The Lady Sailors have seven senior captains steering the ship, led by four-year starters Christina McCabe, Alison Schwasnick, Kelsey Williams, Kaitlyn Rapp and Samantha Stein.

McCabe, an attack who likes to work behind the cage and can score from odd angles, closed her All-County campaign in 2016 with five goals in the county final after recording three goals and three assists in a semifinal victory over Farmingdale. She had 38 goals and 31 assists for a team-high 69 points. “Christina is a multifaceted player who does whatever it takes to win,” Montera Jr. said. “Her biggest strength is as a feeder, but she’s also tremendous one-on-one.”

Schwasnick is Oceanside’s most accomplished two-way player, Montera Jr. said, and was Honorable Mention All-County last spring. “She does much more than numbers show and never wants to come off the field,” the coach said. “She’s aggressive and determined.”

Williams boast a combination of size and speed, and her long reach comes in handy on draws where she’s among the best in the county. She won almost 70 percent of faceoffs a year ago. Freshman Julia Schwasnick gives Williams a breather on draws and also brings a powerful shot along with junior Payton McMahon. Williams earned All-Conference honors in 2016. “Kelsey’s a real student of the draw and has developed into a disruptive defender,” Montera Jr. said.

Rapp is a steady and unselfish attack who last season was honored with an unsung hero award. “She had a breakout year and makes things happen in tight quarters,” said Montera Jr., who added junior Nicole Kraemer has been a factor up front in the early going.

Stein, a key piece to the defensive puzzle along with senior Mikayla Klemm, is the engine that drives Oceanside’s transition game. Klemm makes life difficult for opponents, while juniors Kasey Flavin and Julia Burns bolster the back row in front of senior goalie Allie Long.

Montera Jr. said Long “is a positive influence and confident.”