Thursday, October 1, 2026
Like spring-time flowers on Long Island, Ralph Montera Jr. is hoping the Oceanside girls lacrosse team blooms in May.
The Sailors have faced stiff competition out of the gate, losing to Lynbrook, Port Washington, and Plainedge. But they played hard and were in every game.
“We’re a team that’s developing long-term,” the coach said. “We have a nice mix. We have some veterans and a lot of newer players. We’re just trying to get better each day and make a run in the playoffs.”
The defensive unit is more cohesive to start the season. It features returning starting sophomore goalie Kate Twomey. Senior captain Reese Barriga, who usually guards the opposition’s top crease attacker, is a second-year starter at close defense who also helps in transition.
Maggie Lutrell earned a starting role on defense midway through last season, and the junior hasn’t relinquished that spot, forming a partnership with Barriga on the crease, providing a positive attitude while bringing a ton of energy.
Riley Harrington is a two-year starter who opened eyes last year. The senior brings some aggression to the backline, looking for takeaways.
Senior captain Sydney Abbott is in her third year as a starter. She led the Sailors in points last year, but also impacts the game on the draw and in the circle, as a feeder and a groundball machine.
After a breakout campaign as a junior, midfielder Julia Morrison is also a captain this season, a true two-way midfielder who also takes the draw controls.
Oceanside’s fourth captain is senior Ella Salonia, a facilitator who is tasked with being a veteran presence on a young and inexperienced attack.
Riley Kudlek has made significant improvement from last year when she was a change-of-place off-the-bench player. Now the sophomore provides leadership in the midfield, along with senior Ava Bowers, a soccer standout who is a lockdown defender in the midfield for a team that can make some noise come May.
To read more about the Oceanside Sailors' 2026 boys lacrosse team, click here. To see more of the Herald’s 2026 Lacrosse Preview, click here.
