Thursday, October 1, 2026
MacArthur’s girls lacrosse team entered the final week of the regular season with a .500 record but not far away from being near the top of the Conference II standings.
A 14-13 setback to Locust Valley April 30 marked the third league loss by one goal for the Generals (6-6.) The narrow defeat came two days after a dramatic 10-9 overtime win at Friends Academy in which MacArthur rallied from a 7-3 halftime deficit.
“We're really competing with the top teams in the conference, but we're just coming up just a little bit short in some games,” MacArthur coach Dan Agovino said. “However, I do think that we're really hitting our stride as far as our play and competing. So I think we're where we need to be at the right time.”
The Friends Academy win saw junior attacker Jamie Novello tie the score with 25 seconds remaining in regulation followed by senior midfielder Evie Larkin securing the comeback victory with 58 seconds left in overtime. Novello, Larkin and senior attacker Danielle Kupcs all registered three goals.
“It really showed the makeup of the team and the grit of the team,” Agovino said of the come-from-behind effort. “I'm hoping to turn it into our turning point.”
The Drexel-bound Larkin and Novello have led the offensive charge for the Generals this spring. Larkin has tallied 60 points on 45 goals and 15 assists while Novello has netted 61 points from 41 goals and 20 assists.
Senior midfielder Olivia Amato has also been key to the offense as “an unsung hero,” according to Agovino, stepping up to take draw controls after an injury to Caleigh O’Shea.
The defense has been anchored by senior goalie Abby Clarkson, a four-year starter who will play on collegiate level next year at Youngstown State. The reigning All-County netminder tallied 12 saves in the Friends Academy win and has recorded more than 500 stops in her Generals’ career.
“She's really the backbone of the team and keeps us in the games,” Agovino said. “And her ability to make a big save defensively and turn it into an offensive situation by clearing the ball down the field with a fast break situation is pretty impressive.”
Clarkson leads a defense in front of her that has gotten strong play from her twin sister Olivia and senior defender Rylee Fanning, both veterans in their fourth year starting on varsity. The Generals have held opponents to single digits in eight of their 14 games.
MacArthur closes the regular season Thursday against neighborhood foe Bethpage under the lights at home starting at 7 p.m. The Generals will then gear up for the Class B playoffs where the team is projected to be a five or seed six seed.
“If they keep battling and keep working as hard as they are, things will fall into place,” Agovino said. “We're not looking too far ahead and we're just trying to focus on our next opponent.”
