Promising finish for Baldwin

It would never do to not wholeheartedly root for one’s own school.

But when Baldwin’s girls’ basketball team made a postseason run that lasted till late this past March – capturing the state Class AA title – Lady Bruins lacrosse coach Rebecca LaFlare might have been forgiven had her school pride been tempered with impatience.

“I was happy for the basketball team,” LaFlare said. “They had a great season. It’s great for Baldwin. We had a rough start, though, because a good portion of our starters were on the basketball team, so they missed our first few lacrosse games.”

Relieved at length of their basketball duties, starters Sarah Pulis (midfield), Sarah Henry (defense), Meaghan George (attack) and Kezzy Wingate (defense) arrived to quickly help stabilize a foundering Baldwin lacrosse team.  Following an 0-5 start, Baldwin played out at a .500 clip, alternating wins and losses to finish 2-7 in Nassau Conference III, 4-9 overall.

“When our four girls came back there wasn’t a connect that first game,” LaFlare said. “They were thrown into the dynamic so fast. But right after that I could see things coming together.”

Remarkably, it was an 18-2 loss to host Long Beach March 30 that convinced LaFlare of her club’s untapped possibilities.

“We knew the Long Beach game wasn’t going to be pretty,” LaFlare said. “They’re in the conference above us. We knew they’d be stronger.  But honestly, it was probably the best that we looked. We played strong and had great camaraderie. It was a positive loss.”

Less than two weeks later, Baldwin would break into the win column, 12-6, on the road against Mepham – a precedent soon followed by the Lady Bruins’ first conference win, 10-9, over visiting East Meadow April 21.

“Mepham was non-conference, but we needed a win,” LaFlare said. “East Meadow was huge for us. It was really exciting; the girls held on in a close game. We were finally showing what we could do as a team.”

For individual performance, four Lady Bruins were accorded recognition. Pulis, a senior committed to Stony Brook University, took home all-county honors. Despite missing four games, Pulis tallied a team-leading 44 goals, eighth-best in Nassau III.

“Sarah Pulis is our go-to girl,” LaFlare said. “She’s amazing. She’s always there to help her teammates.”

Seniors Kelsi King (defense) and Sam Conforti (midfield) were named all-conference, along with Henry, a junior.

“Sarah Henry was strong on defensive,” LaFlare said. “We’re lucky to have her back next year. Sam Conforti I chose as a team captain, and I think that role made her better. Kelsi is one of our best defenders. She’s short but she’s tough, and people underestimated her.”

LaFlare believes Baldwin’s development down the stretch signals promise for next year’s squad – barring, perhaps, another basketball title, it was archly suggested to the coach. LaFlare laughed, courteously.  “We only have one girl on basketball for next season,” she said.