Top 10 girls lacrosse teams on Long Island to start 2022 season

NORTHPORT

The Tigers return eight starters from last season’s 18-0 Long Island Class A champion, led by leading scorer Kaylie Mackiewicz. The Duke commit had 66 goals and 11 assists, including four goals in a 10-6 victory over Massapequa in the Long Island Class A final. Ella Cabrera, committed to North Carolina, is one of the best defensive midfielders on Long Island and can also contribute on offense. Isabella Germani and Emma McLam will be key midfielders, Shannon Smith adds depth on the attack with Charlotte McGroarty and Angelina Longo on defense with Megan Morris in goal for coach Carol Rose, entering her 33rd season at the helm. Northport won the state Class A title in 2019 and hasn’t been able to defend its state title since then due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the Tigers will set their sights on doing that this spring. 

ST. ANTHONY'S

The Friars return a strong core off their 12-0 CSHAA ‘AA’ championship last season, led by a strong midfield featuring Ava Biancardi, Kat McAteer, Tess Calabria and Rose Christie. Biancardi, committed to Duke, had 22 goals, six assists and 22 draw controls. Abby LoCascio, committed to Northwestern, will be a focal point of the scoring after posting 16 goals and 14 assists. Taylor Cullen anchors the defense and Shae Lembo takes over in net as St. Anthony’s eyes a state championship while playing a very competitive league and non-schedule.

BAYPORT-BLUE POINT

The Phantoms are coming off their first Long Island championship in program history – defeating Manhasset, 6-5, in the Class C final. Bayport-Blue Point graduated some key players, but also return a strong core, led by goalkeeper Felicia Giglio. Katie Clare, who had a goal and an assist in the Long Island C championship and had 21 goals and 16 assists last season, will be a key piece at midfield. Mairead Kelly, Haydin Eisfeld, Natalee Frabizio and Mikaela Mooney lead the attack.

GARDEN CITY

The defending Long Island Class B champion graduated key contributors from last season but the Trojans always have a strong pipeline to replace those players. Meghan Rode, committed to Syracuse, will be the focal point of Garden City’s scoring after totaling 28 goals and 21 assists, including three goals and an assist in a 14-5 victory over West Babylon in the final. Carla Curth, Caitlin McNaboe and Marie Cacciabaudo lead the midfield with Amanda Grimes in net.

MANHASSET

Richmond commit Alexis Morton enters her senior season after a huge 44-goal, 19-assist junior year for the Nassau Class B champion. She had three goals in the county final victory over Wantagh and two goals and two assists against Bayport-Blue Point. Annalisa Massaro, who had 22 goals, forms the 1-2 scoring tandem for Manhasset. Despina Giannakopolous, Christina Petras and Alexandra Schneider form a tough defense with Caitlin Barrett and Ashley Newman at midfield.

WANTAGH

Wantagh returns All-Long Island selection Madison Taylor, a Northwestern commit who had 56 goals, 28 assists 113 draw controls, 30 forced turnovers and 58 ground balls for a 12-win Wantagh team that reached the Nassau Class B final. Attacks Eva Ingrilli, committed to North Carolina, and Madison Alaimo, committed to Virginia, along with Taylor form one of the top-scoring trios on Long Island. Midfielders Madison Alaimo and Julia Nicholson, along with attack Olivia Nicholson, build Wantagh’s depth. 

MOUNT SINAI

The Mustangs, much like in recent years, will rely on their strong defense in hopes of a championship run. Seniors Alexa Carannante, Delilah Mile and Jordan DeBlasio have the experience and chemistry to control the defensive side of the field. Kylie Budke and Kayli Carannante lead the midfield with Lea Flobeck, Taylor Cline and Alexa Spallina on the attack for the Suffolk Class C runner-ups. Chris Carannante takes over as head coach after coach Al Bertolone’s retirement.

WEST BABYLON

The defending Suffolk Class B champion returns Lacey Downey, an All-Long Island selection who led Long Island in points (121) and goals (71) last season. She also ranked second on Long Island with 50 assists and was dominant on draws for West Babylon. The Eagles also get a boost from midfielder Emma Blloshmi, an Ohio State commit who missed last season with a torn ACL.

MASSAPEQUA

The defending Nassau A champion returns the bulk of last season’s team, led by goalkeeper Lucianna Cardello, who had 129 saves and is committed to play at Hofstra. Massapequa features a strong midfield in Joely Caramelli, Bridget Valentine, Jessica Giller and Kimberly Greenblatt.

SOUTH SIDE

Mia Delmond, Maggie Long and Emily Iacobellis form a strong midfield for the Cyclones with Mackenzie Creagh, one of the top goalies in the area, in net.