By STEVE SINISKI
Many of the faces have changed both on the field-where nine seniors, including seven starters, have graduated-and on the sidelines where Adam Hannanel takes over as the head coach.
The underclassmen, many of whom were freshmen a year ago, made considerable contributions and are taking on even bigger roles. The Lady Jets kicked off with a 4-0 non-league win over Baldwin last Friday. "We played real well," Hannanel said. "We moved the ball from side to side and looked poised. I'm very confident in the group we have. We have a tremendous amount of talent."
Sophomore forward Ashley Guerrero and sophomore outside midfielder Marissa Walsh each scored twice. One of Walsh's goals came off a corner kick and was knocked in off a Lady Bruins' defender. Sophomore goalkeeper Brianna Borresen recorded the shutout. "It was very important especially with the group being so young," Hannanel said of the win, noting the impact a strong start could have on confidence. "Losing seven starters and two All-State players, that's a tremendous amount to lose."
The Lady Jets did suffer their first defeat of the season last Monday at the hands of visiting New Hyde Park, dropping a 4-2 non-league decision.
The offense, led by Guerrero and sophomore Allyssa Buesing, who scored her first goal of the year against New Hyde Park, also features proven playmakers at midfield. Sophomore Gabriella Fuduli lines up opposite Walsh at midfield and is one of several underclass returnees already with a playoff goal on her resume. Fuduli scored in a first-round win over Calhoun last season. Even sophomore fullback Louisa Echeverri, now a full-timer on the back line, displayed her versatility with a goal in the semifinals against Farmingdale.
Though East Meadow will likely run a 4-4-2 alignment predicated on balance, Hannanel expects to take a more aggressive approach on offense at times by moving a midfielder up in the zone. Juniors Christina Tesoriero and Courtney Gross are in the starting lineup at the two inside midfield spots. "We're trying to play controlled [soccer] and possess the ball and switch the field based on what the defense is giving us," Hannanel said.
Sophomores Jessica Widman and Jillian Gross take the field at stopper and sweeper, respectively, joined by Echeverria and junior Crystal Guerrero at the two fullback spots. Despite the presence of three sophomores on the defense, don't expect a sit-back-and-wait approach. Hannanel is comfortable with the backliners forcing the action. "We're [already] manning up on people," he explained. "We're going to try and do our best not to let them take the turn. We want control of that ball-always."
East Meadow gets the weekend off and returns to the field Monday at home against Conference I rival Syosset for a 4 p.m. start.
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