Catholic girls lacrosse preview

How good is St. Anthony's? Well, the Friars have won three consecutive Nassau-Suffolk CHSAA championships and this season's team may be better yet. Not only are they the team to beat in the CHSAA, but they're in the national spotlight, having earned high rankings, including the No. 1 spot in the ESPN Rise poll.

"It means somebody besides us thinks we're capable of achieving something special, which adds confidence," Friars coach Corinne Broesler said. "There's also added pressure. We're a target now, but I know my kids can handle it."

Talentwise, St. Anthony's certainly is equipped to handle anything as the team has 13 players with Division-I commitments. The Friars are led by All-Americans Kerrin Maurer and Lauren Schwalje, along with Shanna Brady, Maggie Bill, Chrissy Schreiber, Betsy Holland, Darcy Messina, et al. The Friars will be tested with a rigid non-league schedule that includes second-ranked Olney (Md.) Our Lady of Good Counsel.

Sacred Heart, the bridesmaid in each of the last three finals, has the same goal: "Make it to the championship game again," coach Morgan Molinari said, "and perform better than last time."

The Spartans have a high-powered offense led by Nina Corcoran, Penn State-bound Kristen Brent, Meghan Breen and Becky Conto. Taylor Higgins anchors the defense.

"We want to overcome," Molinari said of St. Anthony's reign. "Having them in our league drives us to compete harder, it makes us a better team."

Kellenberg, which reached the semifinals, has a roster full of upperclassmen, including Katie Connery, Paige Savia, Sarah Croutier, Emily Hanifan and defender Nicole LePetri.

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St. John the Baptist, which lost in the quarterfinals to the Firebirds, has a young but skilled group. All-Long Island midfielder Danielle Jaycox leads the Cougars, along with Melissa McLaughlin, Jill May and Caitlyn Gibbons.

Our Lady of Mercy, with Fairfield-bound senior midfielder Courtney Chmil, also will contend.

INDEPENDENT

Portledge went 14-2 last year and won the NYSAIS championship, defeating Hackley of Tarrytown to avenge an overtime loss in the 2009 final. The Panthers lost seven seniors, including Addie Reilly, whose 132 goals set the state's single-season record. They do, however, return Ceci Mulry along with defenders Tori Phillips, Sophie Steell and Alexa Lodenquai.

Long Island Lutheran, which reached the second round, is a young team led by sophomore midfielder Carolyn Dottino, Dierdre Hocevar, Macy McNair and Liz Carnicom. LuHi's no-longer-secret weapons, though, are twins Danielle and Nicole Sinacori -- freshman attacks with great potential.