By STEVE SINISKI
Led by an unusually large group of underclassmen, East Meadow still ranks as one of the youngest teams in Class AA. Only now there is experience backing mixed in with the youth. The lone senior on the team, center midfielder Taylor Jensen, is also one of the Lady Jets three captains. Cally Chakrian and Brittany Walsh, named All-Class AA players along with Jensen, also take on leadership roles.
³Last year we had eighth-graders in over their heads in a lot of games,² head coach Matt Pedicini said. ³But we were the only team to [defeat] the state champs [Massapequa]. A lot of [the Lady Jets] have been in big games.²
Walsh anchors the midfield and will be surrounded by Theresa Park and Courtney Gross in a starting lineup set to feature five players spread throughout the middle of the field. Marissa Liebhaber and Alyssa Buesing bring scoring punch to the forward position.
There will also be a new goaltender for East Meadow, a position battle currently featuring four players. ³We¹ve had a lot of fun,² Pedicini said of the tryouts and late summer camp. ³We had a few eighth-graders try out and have a handful of ninth-graders in their second year.²
The defense welcomes back junior Joanna Cosentino, a three-year starter, and freshman Gillian Gross. ³We have to put more pressure on the ball in the defensive third and limit the amount of shots the goaltender has to face,² Pedicini said.
