Wantagh seeks repeat title

Wantagh’s girls’ lacrosse team is seeking another deep postseason run with a new leader at the helm.

Lauren Schwalje, a former college player at Georgetown and Stony Brook, took over as head coach of the Lady Warriors this year after coaching at Ward Melville last year. The 2011 St. Anthony’s High School graduate inherits a team that graduated a large chunk of last year’s 12-4 team that won the program’s county title in three years.

“They are working very hard,” Schwalje said. “We’re starting to get our feet wet.”

After dropping dropping two close games to open the season to Syossett and Long Beach, Wantagh broke through March 29 with a 7-6 win against Cold Spring Harbor in a rematch of last year’s Nassau County Class C title game. Senior attacker Catherine Russo tallied the winning goal on a free position shot with two minutes remaining.

Senior midfielder Kayla Conway is Wantagh’s returning leading scorer and is off to a fast start in 2018 with all three of the Warriors’ goals in a 4-3 setback to Long Beach on March 27. The Pace University commit is also Wantagh’s draw control specialist and helped the Warriors capture 20 of 26 draws in the Warriors’ 15-9 county title win last spring.

“She is definitely our offensive leader,” said Schwalje of Conway. “She is going to be a focal point of opposing defenses and that hopefully opens up opportunities for others.”

Wantagh boasts multiple scoring threats to complement Conway including the St. Francis(Pa.)-bound Russo and junior midfielder Ashley Gendels. The duo both registered two points in Wantagh’s 9-6 season-opening loss to Syosset.

While the offense is still finding its groove, the Warriors’ defense has shined early led by USC-bound Danielle Carson, Hofstra commit Anna Kaufmann, Makenna Boutin and Mia Connolly. Senior goalie Katelyn Conklin is starting for the first time on varsity and recorded 10 saves against Long Beach, the defending Class B runner-ups.

The Lady Warriors are led on and off the field by four captains in Conway, Carson, Russo and Kaufmann. The captains have been integral parts of helping the Warriors improve in practices and games while also aiding in Schwalje’s transition to head coach.

“They are very vocal,” said Schwalje of her captains. “They are very positive and supportive of each other.” 

For the sixth straight year, Wantagh is competing during the regular season in Conference I, which features the 10 top teams in Nassau County. In the playoffs, Wantagh will vie once again for a Class C championship with expected strong competition from Cold Spring Harbor and North Shore.

“All the games we are playing now will prepare us for the playoffs,” Schwalje said. “We are playing in a very tough conference.”  

Wantagh is next in action at home against South Side this Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Lady Warriors will then travel to Massapequa next Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. opening draw versus the defending Nassau County Class A champions.

“It’s a marathon, not a sprint,” Schwalje said. “We’re playing for May.”