By Andrew McClure
Now, the Rockin' Mules girls' team are looking to make its mark. This senior-laden team is off to the best start in the history of the program and should challenge for a league title and playoff berth. Head coach, Joe Lores, isn't surprised. "This is an experienced team with great chemistry," said Lores. "We have 10 seniors, a goalie playing her fourth year at the varsity level and no adversity."
Leading the Rockin' Mules is senior forward, Meri Levison, an All-Classification selection in 2004. Levison leads Nassau County with fifteen goals in 2005, including three-goal efforts in three of the first eight games. Levison, a five-year varsity player and one of the team's co-captains, has 65 career goals, which is a program record. "The keys to Meri's game are her speed and intelligence," said Lores. "She doesn't run to the ball, she anticipates where the ball will end up and she runs to the spot. She has outstanding speed and instincts."
Malverne/East Rockaway, 6-0-1 in Conference VI, also returns sophomore goalie, Kelli Hughes, an All-Division honoree in 2004. Hughes has been the starting netminder since the 7th grade. Hughes is off to a tremendous start in 2005. An early season highlight came when she stopped a penalty kick at the end of regulation in a game against Valley Stream North to force overtime. East Rockaway went on to win the game in double overtime on a goal by Courtney Harris. Hughes has three shutouts for the season.
Other key players are senior sweeper Rochelle Wilson and senior fullbacks Sarah Burggraf and Sarah D'Archangelis. The team's other co-captain, senior, foward/halfback Rasheda Walcott and senior, center halfback/stopper Patty Donald have been outstanding.
Lores thinks this team can contend. "We won the conference back in 2002, but got knocked out in the first round of the playoffs," said Lores, who is in his eighth year as head coach. "We're driven to win the conference, but we'd really like to get the first playoff victory in the history of the program."
