Glen Cove continues to rise

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If one were to look at the records and statistics for Glen Cove’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team over the past four years, one could objectively discern gradual improvement.

Over that span, Glen Cove’s winning percentage has increased every year and the talent level has followed suit. That talented core has evolved and, this season, Glen Cove returns 12 seniors with the majority of the lot being starters and seeing ample playing time.

Now, within Nassau Conference V and sitting at 7-1 overall (4-0 Conference V), the Lady Big Red are primed to make a big splash with bountiful scoring options and a sound defensive unit.

“I think we can win this conference,” coach Nicole Sileo said. “This win streak was years in the making. Building lacrosse IQ with this group of seniors over the past few years, we knew they could be successful.”

And one thing Glen Cove has done really well with thus far, is netting large quantities of goals. The Lady Big Red average 13 goals a game, the most in Nassau Conference V.

“It is easy to focus on the number, but not the process on how we got that number,” said Mark Checola, Glen Cove assistant coach. “You can’t look at one girl. All of our offensive players can score the ball.”

Of Sileo and Checola’s talented seniors, Trinity Hudson stands out, even if for the simple fact that she stands above most at 6’ tall. Hudson, a standout basketball player as well, has a long and agile frame that allows her to traverse up and down the field at a rapid pace. She is also the team’s leading goal scorer. “She takes the draw for us,” Sileo said. “She takes the 1-v-1 offense to the next level.”

Lucy Costello has been effective at catching the ball and turning upfield quickly to push a transitional break. “She is definitely a key player for us,” Checola said.

Ariana Greenberg has been consistent on the field all year. “She makes good cuts and her motor is always running high when she’s on the field,” Checola said.

Claudia Cela and Leah Dwyer are both key offensive players for the Lady Big Red as well, using their knowledge from having tons of varsity experience.

“Trinity may be the leading scorer, but she is never the only option,” Sileo said.

In the cage, Colleen Lynch and Sarah Braja have been deemed ‘co-starters’ by their coaches, and have played a huge role in Glen Cove’s early winning streak.

All of Glen Cove’s pieces are starting to come together and could materialize in the program’s most successful season in years. “We are at a good point systemically,” said Checola. “This group runs the sets and philosophy we’ve put in place very effectively, and that is a true credit to the girls.”

The key, both coaches noted, is the ability to close out in high-pressure situations. Fortunately for the program, this group of seniors competed in and overcame some very close games in its junior year. Thus far, Glen Cove’s only win by less than 7 came in a one-goal season-opening thriller against Conference IV’s Plainview-JFK. Sileo did not mince words: “This could be our year.”