Newsday's All-Long Island girls lacrosse team 2022

Newsday Player of the Year: Alexis Morton, Manhasset, A, Sr.

To say Alexis Morton rose to the occasion would be a massive understatement.

The Manhasset senior always was known as an extremely talented player – one of the best on Long Island. But once the playoffs started, it was as if Morton morphed into a new person. One that was completely unstoppable.

Nearly every one of Morton’s top performances came in the postseason. She had 26 goals and 17 assists over six playoff games to lead Manhasset to the state Class C title. Morton recorded 42.2% of her points (43 of 102) in the playoffs, continuing to improve and excel as the season progressed toward May and June to be named Newsday’s Player of the Year.

When Manhasset coach Meghan Clarke was asked if she ever saw a player raise their game as much as Morton did in the playoffs, Clarke responded, “To tell you the truth, I have not. I think she is the type of player that peaked at the right time and she knew when she needed to kind of put the team on her back and lead them.”

Morton, committed to play at Richmond, had 58 goals and 44 assists in a 15-2 season for Manhasset. She had 59 points over 11 regular-season games (5.4 points per game), compared with 43 points over six playoff games (7.2 points per game).

Morton’s success came in different ways. She had five goals and five assists in the Nassau Class C final against Wantagh, six goals and two assists in the state semifinals against Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake, and two goals and five assists in the state final against Honeoye Falls-Lima.

Clarke credits Morton’s work ethic for the senior’s success. Clarke said Morton was on the field the day after Manhasset’s loss last season in the Long Island Class C championship – and even wanted to get more practice in the day after winning the state final this spring.

“For her to peak at the time that she did and for her to step up when we needed her the most, I’m still at a loss of words,” Clarke said. “It hasn’t even hit me yet but she put in all the hard work.”

Suffolk Player of the Year: Kaylie Mackiewicz, Northport, A, Sr.

Kaylie Mackiewicz is a finisher.

The Northport senior is the type of player opposing teams can only hope to slow down but never completely stop. Her innate scoring ability was on display all year – including scoring the winning goal in overtime after tying it earlier in an 11-10 victory over Massapequa in the Long Island Class A championship – to be named Newsday’s Suffolk Player of the Year.

Mackiewicz, committed to play at Duke, had 74 goals and 31 assists this season for a Northport team that finished 20-2 and lost in the state Class A final.

Pictured, from left: Ava Biancardi of St. Anthony's, Ella Cabrera of Northport, Luchianna Cardello of Massapequa.

Ava Biancardi, St. Anthony’s, M, Sr.

The Duke commit had 36 goals and five assists for the CHSAA Class AA champions in a 15-2 season. The big, strong midfielder had three goals in the final against Sacred Heart, and scored seven goals in a non-league matchup with Wantagh.

Ella Cabrera, Northport, M. Sr.

The North Carolina commit was a featured part of every aspect of the game for the Suffolk Class A champions. She had 41 goals and 20 assists, was key on transitions and played a key role on defense.

Luchianna Cardello, Massapequa, G, Sr.

The Hofstra commit had 137 saves and a 52% save percentage this season, including nine stops in a 7-6 victory over Syosset in the Nassau Class A final. She possesses quickness in goal with the ability to make strong, long clear passes to spark transition on offense.

Pictured, from left: Kylee Colbert of North Shore, Lacey Downey of West Babylon, Isabella Germani of Northport.

Kylee Colbert, North Shore, M, Jr.

The Boston College commit had 98 goals and 17 assists this season. She is an imposing figure on draw controls and has an extremely high lacrosse IQ, quick first step and a quick shot that is nearly impossible to contain.

Lacey Downey, West Babylon, M, Jr.

The Boston College commit led Suffolk with 121 points (61 goals, 60 assists). She also had 123 ground balls, 94 caused turnovers and 106 draw control victories. The three-sport athlete dominates every aspect of the game for the Eagles and already has more than 300 varsity points.

Isabella Germani, Northport, M, Sr.

The Stony Brook commit had 58 goals and 15 assists for the Long Island Class A champions. The attacking midfielder was often at her best in the game’s most pivotal moments, shining in second halves throughout the playoffs, including scoring the winning goal in an 8-7 victory over Ward Melville in the Suffolk Class A final.

Pictured, from left: Abigail LoCascio of St. Anthony's, Olivia Rongo of Westhampton, Alexandra Schneider of Manhasset.

Abigail LoCascio, St. Anthony’s, A, Sr.

The Northwestern commit had 20 goals and 19 assists for the 15-2 Friars, the CHSAA Class AA champions. Her speed, shiftiness and field vision was pivotal in the championship season. She had two goals and an assist in the final.

Olivia Rongo, Westhampton, M, Sr.

She led Westhampton to its first county and Long Island championship in program history. The James Madison commit had 42 goals and 27 assists this season, including three goals in a 6-5 victory over Comsewogue in the Suffolk Class B final. Her height (5-11) makes her extremely dangerous on draws and caused turnovers.

Alexandra Schneider, Manhasset, D, Jr.

The lockdown defender helped anchor one of the best defenses on Long Island en route to a state Class C championship. The Virginia commit continuously embraced the challenge of taking on the toughest attacks and midfielders throughout Manhasset’s championship run.

Pictured, from left: Madison Taylor of Wantagh, Ava Tighe of Cold Spring Harbor, Natasha Yajadda of Sayville.

Madison Taylor, Wantagh, M, Sr.

The Northwestern commit dominated every part of the game for Wantagh. She had 72 goals and 44 assists as the team’s go-to offensive presence. She was dominant on the draws with 145 draw controls and played stellar defense with 74 ground balls and 38 caused turnovers.

Ava Tighe, Cold Spring Harbor, A, Sr.

She had 68 goals, nine assists and 90 draw controls for the Long Island Class D champions. The Florida commit uses her height (5-11) to her advantage, and has played attack and midfield for Cold Spring Harbor, shifting based on the team’s needs.

Natasha Yajadda, Sayville, D, Sr.

The game-changing defender contributes to the draw circle, is crucial on clears and is a strong 1-on-1 defender. She had 92 ground balls, 88 draw controls and 48 caused turnovers. She committed to play at Pennsylvania.

Nassau Coach of the Year: Meghan Clarke, Manhasset

She guided Manhasset to its first state title since 2018 with a 17-2 victory over Honeoye Falls-Lima in the state Class C final.

Suffolk Coach of the Year: Mary Bergmann, Westhampton

She guided Westhampton to its first Suffolk and Long Island championships in program history before falling in the state Class B semifinals.