Oceanside's defense serves notice

Unlike last spring when Oceanside girls’ lacrosse opened with just one win in its first six games, the Sailors are enjoying a strong start in 2022 thanks in large part to an airtight defense and sharp goaltending.

“Most of the varsity experience we returned is on the defensive side, so it’s no surprise that’s carried us so far,” coach Ralph Montera Jr. said. “Allowing an average of only three goals per game isn’t sustainable, but we’re doing some nice things on offense so we’re steadily becoming more balanced.”

Oceanside returned only one starter between its midfield and attack. Senior Lily Johnson, who tied for the team lead in goals a year ago with 37, is a dynamic two-way midfielder with an All-County resume. She had 22 goals through eight games, scoring at least twice in all eight while taking the majority of draws, and helped the Sailors to victory in all but one.

“Lily has been elite and is a great leader,” Montera Jr. said of Johnson, who had a season-high six points (four goals, two assists) as Oceanside tied a season high offensive output in an 11-6 non-conference win over Plainview on April 13. “She’s added another dimension to her game each year,” he added.

Aside from Johnson, all of the Sailors’ varsity experience prior to March could be found on the back end. Senior goaltender Izzy Weintraub has picked up where she left off last season when she made more than 100 saves, and with the help of her twin sister, Sam Weintraub, fellow seniors Mikayla Danon and Megan Vitale, junior Abigael Gehrig, and sophomore Emma Pagano, allowed three goals or fewer in five of the first eight contests.

“I believe Izzy’s one of the top goalies in Nassau County,” Montera Jr. said of the All-Conference stopper. “She’s extremely competitive and active out of the cage. She often gets us going in transition.”

The coach said Danon uses her height to her advantage on defense and has top-level conditioning. Sam Weintraub is the only lefty stick on the roster and is key when it comes to containing opposing right-handed attackers. Pagano was the only freshman on last year’s roster and brings a strong all-around game, Montera Jr. said. Vitale and Gehrig have rotated in the first and second halves of games, respectively.

Sophomores Maeve Barrins and Natalie Paul are thriving as Johnson’s running mates in the midfield after helping the JV program to huge 2021 results. Barrins has 14 points through eight games; Paul 5 goals.

The attack features senior Cassidy Reicherter (13 points), juniors Megan Checola (17) and Erin Bellinger (9 goals), and sophomore Grace DiDominica.

“We have four attackers and two midfielders either playing on varsity for the first time or starting for the first time,” Montera Jr. said. “They’re really coming along nicely.”

Oceanside’s only loss so far came April 11, 6-5 at the hands of Farmingdale. “We learned a lot from it and also didn’t dwell on it because we came back two days later and played our most spirited game of the season against Plainview,” Montera Jr. said.