Wantagh Girls Lacrosse Shoots For County Title

With 23 players returning from last year’s Wantagh High School girls lacrosse team that reached the Nassau County title game, head coach Bobbi Colavita is filled with optimism for the 2011 season.

Among the returning starters are players bound for the collegiate level including midfielders Paula Schmidt (North Carolina), April Iannetta (Hofstra), Brianna Schussler (Sacred Heart) and Alexandra Rousseau (Manhattan) along with goalie Kelly Keenan (Sacred Heart). Some more seniors from this year’s Wantagh girls lacrosse team are also expected to make commitments to play at the college level next month, according to Colavita.

One big loss suffered from last year’s team, which went 13-4 and fell to Garden City 20-13 in the Nassau County title game 20-13 is All-American Honorable Mention selection, Jackie Sileo, who is now starring at attack for CW Post. The Lady Warriors will get a boost however from the return of Kaleigh Craig, who suffered a torn ACL in Wantagh’s semifinal win against South Side last spring. Another player who suffered an ACL injury that is expected to bring important leadership to the Lady Warriors is Brittany Rader.

Colavita expects to have a potent offense this year led by Schmidt, who earned All American accolades last year, Ianetta, Sabrina Mattera, Colleen Lovett, and Alyssa Polo. The defense is anchored by Keenan in net, Shannon Reilly, Schussler, Rousseu, and Meghan Smith. The four senior defense players will continue playing at respective programs next year.  

Some young players Colavita expects to contribute this season include Tara Basile, Catie Ingrilli, Allison McClain, Brenna Connolly, and Jen Graham. 

In order for Wantagh to capture a county title it will have to tackle a grueling schedule.

"This year's schedule includes the best teams on Long Island such as Garden City, Manhasset, Bay Shore, Massapequa, and Farmingdale, to name a few," said Colavita, who is in her 16th season as Wantagh girls lacrosse head coach. “The ladies recently played an all day tournament at Port Washington, a non league at Cold Spring Harbor, and a cross over game against Calhoun, where they were successful in demonstrating the skills needed for another successful season." 

Wantagh (3-0) captured its Conference BI opener over Calhoun this past Wednesday 17-8 and followed that up with an impressive 16-8 non-league win over Suffolk County power West Babylon. Wantagh is next in action on Thursday afternoon at Division starting at 4:30 p.m.