Slowly but surely, Hewlett girls’ lacrosse is coming into its own as the program begins a new era. With first-year coach Emma Kriss leading the young but developing roster, the Bulldogs are poised to make noise in Nassau Class B for years to come. First, they need to build their foundation.
"We are trying to make improvements with respect to basic skills because they are the determining factors in games," Kriss said. "I try to remind them to focus on that they can control, the little things, and that’s has to be what gets us through."
Through the first eight games, Hewlett is 1-7, which has little to no bearing on the long-term improvements Kriss, alongside assistant Gabby Batista, is looking to make within the program. Just as championships fade away with time, seasons like these come and go as well. It's better to build on a losing season than to regress from a great one, and Hewlett's path forward is clear.
With only eight seniors on the 24-deep roster, Hewlett is especially dependent on its experienced players to help develop new talent. Kriss said the Bulldogs run through senior captain Krista Lee, who leads the attack alongside sophomore Kristina O'Rourke.
"When they are playing with confidence, take risks, and connect with one another, they are unstoppable," Kriss said of Lee and O'Rourke.
Lee's sister, junior Claudia Lee, is also a notable presence on the attack, utilizing solid field vision to find scoring opportunities. Krista had three goals, Claudia two and O’Rourke two, and each had two assists in the team’s 17-8 loss to Floral Park April 17.
Freshman Jenna Shvartsshteyn was described as a kickstarting presence on offense capable of getting the ball out of the Bulldogs' end. Sophomore midfielder Alexa LaPaglia and senior attacker Maeve Williams round out Hewlett's offense.
Seniors Taylor Amitrano, Leighe Yona and Sophia Gilleeny are Hewlett's other captains and form an experienced defensive core on an otherwise young team. Kriss identified them as some of the Bulldogs' unsung heroes, players who play nearly every minute of every game, contributing solid fundamental play and admirable leadership.
"I'm sad that I haven't been able to coach them for longer," Kriss said of Hewlett's defensive captains. “They do their best to implement my suggestions and have become an incredibly solid unit."
Sophomore goalie Daniella Kotlyar may be the most affected by Hewlett's disappointing start, as she has had to face constant pressure from opposing attacks. Her performance in a game against Glen Cove on April 4 stands out for all the right reasons, however.
The game against the Big Red was the most highly anticipated on the Bulldogs' schedule and the players responded, taking their opponent to overtime and winning 20-19. If not for a late clear by Kotlyar, during which she had to go behind her own cage and run nearly 20 yards before passing it off, Hewlett would not have earned its only victory of the season.
Winning that game, one they had circled on the calendar from the start, is a clear sign of the Bulldogs' potential moving forward. They may not be able to contend with the very best programs in the county, but they are already showing signs of improved preparation and a willingness to respond under pressure. There are few better places to start.
