Thursday, October 1, 2026
With a well-rounded group of seniors poised to step up, East Meadow girls’ lacrosse is entering a fresh campaign with plenty of momentum. After squeaking into the Nassau Class A playoffs last year with a 7-6 record, the Jets and coach Nicolette Tortorici are rallying for even more.
“I think those girls had that little taste of playoffs, and they know if we do even better this season that maybe we won't have to be the underdogs in that first round,” Tortorici said. “We could make a name for ourselves.”
East Meadow’s experience will show most in its offense, as seniors Kayla Lederer (23 goals last spring) and Crystal Cruz (15 goals) will carry on as elite points scorers. Junior Marianna Levin (10 goals, 7 assists) will return from an injury and work as the primary feeder on attacking chances. The Jets will also benefit from a new face on offense, as Tortorici said she expects freshman Emma Sacco to make an instant impact.
“She’s definitely going to make waves,” Tortorici said. “An incredible shooter, hasn't missed a shot yet in the entire first week. She is definitely going to be huge for us around the crease, and I really look forward to seeing her future.”
While the Jets’ offense appears to be shaping up, their goaltending remains a massive question. Entering the year without a returning player at the position, sophomores Christine Lee and Norrha Castin have volunteered to fill the role. Lee played in goal for the first time on junior varsity last year, while Castin is relatively new to the game.
“At the high school level, you don't really see that,” Tortorici said. “So we're very grateful for both of them.”
With inexperienced goaltenders, East Meadow’s defense will be immensely important, especially in the first few games. Tortorici described senior Gulianna D’Alessandro as the “voice of our defense,” while junior midfielder Kate Barnett will continue as a high-IQ contributor on both sides. She and sophomore midfielder Ariana Facenda will be integral in transition.
To read more about East Meadow Jets' 2026 boys lacrosse team, click here. To see more of the Herald’s 2026 Lacrosse Preview, click here.
