Oyster Bay, in only its second year, advances to Nassau Class C final

Hannah Kaiser once envisioned her lacrosse team making postseason runs, celebrating big victories and competing for championships.

"Yeah, but that's because I was so young," the Oyster Bay senior said. "Once we actually got a team and I saw how good some of these other programs were, I was like, 'That was a crazy thought.' "

It wasn't. Because Oyster Bay, in only its second year, is headed to the Nassau Class C final.

Kaiser, who helped establish the program, added to its legacy with three goals and two assists as No. 2 Oyster Bay beat third-seeded Seaford, 17-13, on Thursday night.

Vanessa Yu scored six goals to lead Oyster Bay (11-5), which faces Cold Spring Harbor at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Adelphi. Michelle Yu added four goals, Nicole Hauser had three assists and Emily Vomvas made nine saves.

Kaiser, six years ago, was among a group that campaigned at board meetings for Oyster Bay to develop a girls lacrosse team. It came to fruition last season.

"Wow," said senior Rebecca Layne, who had three goals. "We put in a lot of hard work to get here, but it's still hard to believe."

SEE PHOTOSNassau Class C semifinal: Seaford vs. Oyster Bay

Vanessa Yu gave Oyster Bay an 8-1 lead 16:33 left in the first half, and it withstood Seaford's second-half surge. Emma Schait had five goals and two assists, and Ali Palermo four goals and three assists for the Vikings (7-8-1).

"Long Island is such a lacrosse hotbed, so to be in contention for any championship is a huge accomplishment," Kaiser said. "And as a second-year team!"

Crazy, huh?