Valley Stream values team concept

Valley Stream District’s girls’ lacrosse team spilt its first four games under new coach Jessica Ricotta, who played for the program and graduated Central High School in 2006. 

“It’s an honor to be the varsity coach,” said Ricotta, who took over this spring for Jessica Zwicker after spending the past two seasons as JV coach and previously at the junior high level. “I knew all of the kids coming in, so it was a smooth transition,” she added.

Ricotta, who stresses teamwork and a positive attitude regardless of what the scoreboard reads, got her first varsity win in attempt No. 1. Nicole Evangelista scored the go-ahead goal with less than two minutes remaining to give Valley Stream a hard-fought 8-7 victory over Malverne/East Rockaway on March 30. Evangelista, a senior at North High School, and North sophomore Audrey D’Aulisa, who tied the game late in the second half, had two goals apiece.

“It was an eye-opening experience,” Ricotta said. “We were down at halftime and not working as well as we could as a team. We picked up the pace in the second half.”

The defense limited Malverne/East Rockaway to one goal over the last 25 minutes, while goaltenders Caitlyn Lopeck (five) and Ariana Concepcion combined for nine stops. Lopek, a field player under Ricotta at the JV level, switched positions for the benefit of the team, the coach said, and has been a bright spot in the early going.

“She’s doing a great job,” Ricotta said of Lopeck, a sophomore at South who made 10 saves and didn’t allow a second-half goal in last Friday’s 12-3 win over West Hempstead at Firemen’s Field. “She communicates well with the defense and has good hand-eye coordination.” 

The defense in front of Lopeck is led by mainstays Kierra Laube and Nicole Springer, both seniors at South, and newcomer Laura Hernandez, a junior at North who moved to the district from Suffolk County. “Kierra’s game has come a long way over the years,” Ricotta said. “Nicole is someone other players look up to, and Laura has fit right in and creates a lot of turnovers.”   

Senior Nicole Cutrone, a three-sport athlete from South, anchors the midfield but can play anywhere and stand out, Ricotta said. Cutrone had two goals and two assists against West Hempstead. “She’s all over the field and always in the right position,” the coach noted. “She’s a playmaker and a vocal leader.”

Cutrone takes a portion of the draws, while senior Antonia Buon from North handles the majority. “Antonia is tall and really fast,” said Ricotta, who is excited about the potential of Isabella Morales, a freshman at North.

The attack is deep, led by Evangelista who makes things happen from behind and in front of the cage. “She’s a leader with excellent anticipation skills,” Ricotta said. Junior Meghan Adams, from Central, is a strong shooter who netted a hat trick last Friday. Senior Paige Maggio (North) and sophomore Katherine Kearney (North) scored twice apiece in the latest win.