Thursday, October 1, 2026
Playoff lacrosse is about the slimmest of margins. The games are closer, the moment gets bigger.
Oceanside’s girls lacrosse team enters the postseason with plenty of experience in those games.
In a highly competitive schedule, the Sailors have played six one-goal games. And while they went 2-4 in the regular season, the experience, coach Ralph Montera Jr. believes, will help them in the Nassau Class A playoffs.
“There’s been plenty of opportunities this year to hang our heads, and they always find a way to rebound after every tough loss,” he said. “I think we’ve won the next game every time, which is what I’m most proud of because it’s very easy to let it snowball, and they never did.”
Oceanside (6-9) earned the No. 5 seed and will head to fourth-seeded Port Washington for a first-round game on Thursday. The teams met on March 21, with the Sailors climbing out of a 6-0 halftime hole to outscore Port 7-5 in the second half in an 11-7 defeat.
“It’s really about getting all four phases of the game at once — offense, defense, riding, and clearing,” Montera Jr. said. “When we get everything going, we’re pretty tough to beat.”
The offense was buzzing down the stretch of the regular season, averaging 13.6 goals per game in the final three games, including a 17-11 victory at Roslyn on May 7. Seven of those goals were scored by Sydney Abbott, one of the team’s 12 seniors. Abbott also had nine goals in a 14-13 loss versus MacArthur two days earlier.
Senior Julia Morrison has also played well down the stretch, scoring four goals against Roslyn, as did sophomore Riley Kudlek. And senior Ella Salonia had multiple point performances in two of the Sailors’ last three games.
Juniors Caitlyn Cuccio and Rogan Costello have also contributed offensively, with Montera Jr. calling them stabilizing forces. And sophomore Sam Madden is arguably Oceanside’s most improved player. She had one goal and four assists against Roslyn.
“I think her confidence is way higher than it was,” Montera Jr. said of Madden. “When she has the confidence, she plays freer, without thinking as much. We’re happy with her development.”
Defensively, Oceanside has been anchored by seniors Tess Mazeika, Reese Barriga, and Riley Harrington, while senior Ava Bowers has been solid as well. Sophomore goalie Kate Twomey is coming off a season-high 13 saves at Roslyn. And when Morrison needs a break, sophomore Claire Barrins has been strong on the draw.
With wins in two of their last three games, the senior-laden Sailors are heating up at the right time.
In addition to their performances on the field, the Oceanside seniors have led by example in the classroom.
Five have averages over 100, many are in the high 90s, everyone is above an 85, and most will be heading to highly competitive colleges.
“I think that’s also important because it reminds our underclassmen that it’s not just lacrosse, you also have to take care of your grades,” Montera Jr. said. “I think that’s what I’m most proud of.”
