Wantagh Girls Lacrosse Advances to County Title Game

Wantagh girls lacrosse senior midfielder Kaleigh Craig will be suiting up for college powerhouse Northwestern next year but now she is focused on extending her high school career as long as possible.

Craig’s Wantagh playing days got stretched out at least a week Wednesday when her Lady Warriors pulled off a dramatic 17-15 win against second-seeded Manhasset in the Nassau County Class B semifinals at Adelphi University. The victory in a game that featured nine lead changes advances Wantagh to the county finals against top-seeded Garden City on May 30.

“I have my sisters out there and I don’t want it to end,” said Craig of how close the Wantagh team is chemistry wise both on and off the field in 2012. “It’s our time.”

Craig along with teammates Colleen Lovett and Catie Ingrill registered four goals in an offensive explosion that saw Wantagh tally 11 goals in the second after trailing 7-6 at halftime. Lovett scored the game winner with exactly 5:00 left on the clock off a feed from behind the net by Brenna Connolly.

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“The girls did what they needed to do,” said Wantagh head coach Bobbi Colavita. “It’s a great feeling to get back to the finals.”

With Manhasset leading 8-6 early in the second half, Wantagh on the strength of winning five straight draw controls went on a 5-0 run to take an 11-8 lead. The Warriors also got solid play in net with goalie Sophia Gambitsky making nine saves including a key stop from close range with just over eight minutes left and Manhasset leading 15-14. 

Wednesday's win avenged a loss Wantagh on the semifinal stage, 11-7. Now Wantagh will look to break through against a Garden City team in the regular season on May 3 and also in the Nassau County Class B finals two years ago.

The Nassau County Class B title game between Wantagh and Garden City is scheduled for 6 p.m. on May 30 at Adelphi. The winner will advance to the Long Island Class B championship on June 3 at Dowling College.