The Freeport girls’ lacrosse team has already exceeded last year’s win total and is a few goals away from a winning record.
The Red Devils entered a week-long break during spring vacation at 3-6 overall and 3-4 in Conference IV with three of its losses coming by a combined seven goals. First-year head coach Lauren Chimeri said the team is competing well against strong competition while battling adversity coming off of last year’s 2-11 season where Freeport competed in Conference III.
“This season has been challenging due to the intense schedule, extreme weather and injuries,” said Chimeri, who spent the previous three seasons as an assistant coach. “Freeport never gives up no matter what challenges arise that day.”
Just before April vacation, Freeport hung tough with unbeaten Malverne-East Rockaway on April 14 before falling 14-11. The Red Devils were led by five goals from junior versatile Julia Mendoza-Pineyro, who can play midfield and defense. The offense was also paced by two goals by senior midfielder Ciana Kunen along with single tallies from Ava Smith, Kiara Perez, Chamille Weir and Nicole Hernandez.
Chimeri said Mendoza-Pineyro, Kunen and Smith, a junior attacker, have been the biggest standouts so far this season.
“They are leaders on the field for the rest of the team,” said Chimeri of the trio.
Freeport also came close to knocking off Wheatley, another unbeaten team in Conference IV, during a 10-8 road loss on April 8. Freshman midfielder Kiara Perez had a breakout game with four points on three goals and one assist while senior goalie goalie Bryana Quiros registered five saves.
The other close loss suffered this season came in a 13-11 home loss to West Hempstead on April 2 in which Freeport led 7-4 at halftime and 10-9 going into the fourth quarter. Kunen led the offense with three goals and Smith added two.
The three wins so far have included a 13-10 win at Great Neck North, 7-2 triumph against Valley Stream District and 10-0 victory versus Hempstead. In the Hempstead win on April 11, Freeport showed great sportsmanship after scoring 10 goals in the first quarter to not run up the score against a young program that was revived this spring for the first time since 2021.
“We worked on moving the ball around and practicing our plays without shooting,” said Chimeri of the Hampstead game. “Hempstead is very green but we have been there before so we wanted to show respect and good sportsmanship. I’d love to see their program continue to grow and strengthen.”
Freeport will return home on Thursday to face Jericho at 5 p.m. before visiting Clarke on Tuesday. The Red Devils will then host Sewanhaka on May 1 for a 5 p.m. first draw and finish the season at Elmont on May 5 and home against Herricks on May 8.
“I think we will end the season with a few more wins under our belt,” Chimeri said.
