Wantagh Girls Lacrosse Hangs Tough with Garden City Before Falling

Conference B girls lacrosse powers and Garden City squared off in a first place showdown Thursday afternoon, but their bigger matchup may be a few weeks away. 

The Trojans (9-3, 8-0) edged the Warriors (8-5, 7-1) 14-10 in a hard-fought battle at Garden City High School that could be a preview of the upcoming Nassau County Class B title game at Hofstra University's Shuart Stadium. The two longtime rivals are no strangers to big games with Garden City defeating Wantagh in the 2009 and 2010 county finals. 

"It is always a great game with Wantagh," said longtime Garden City girls lacrosse head coach Diane Chapman, whose team held a 9-4 halftime lead before the Warriors mounted a second half comeback and cut the lead the three twice. "They are a great team and very well coached."

A major reason for Garden City's success on Thuraday and throughout 2012 has been Princeton-bound senior attacker Alexandra Bruno, who despite being closely watched defensively managed to tally six goals and one assist against Wantagh. 

"She's a very skilled player, said Chapman of Bruno. "She has a very quick step." 

Also contributing to Garden City's potent offensive attack Thursday were Jenna Fuchs with three goals, two scores apiece from Catherine Dickinson and Jackie Jahelka and one tally by Catherine McTiernan. Wantagh generated plenty of quality scoring chances against Garden City but were often stonewalled by goalie Megan McDonald, who registered 13 saves.

The Warriors were led by four goals from Northwestern-bound senior midfielder Kaleigh Craig, who has fought back from two ACL injuries to be one of the team's offensive leaders in 2012. 

"She has battled hard all season long," said Wantagh assistant coach Ody Svolos of Craig. 

Also making the Wantagh scoring column Thursday along with Craig were Brenna Connolly and Tara Basile with two goals each as well as single tallies from Catie Ingrilli and Colleen Lovett. Erin Pugh also had one assist.

Another team Wantagh may need to contend with for a county title in addition to Garden City is Manhasset, who the Warriors edged 12-11 on April 4 for the Indians only Conference B loss. Garden City will face Manhasset (9-2, 7-1) in the last regular season game on May 9 in a game that could decide who earns the top seed in the playoffs.

Wantagh is next in action in a non-conference game against Northport at Farmingdale High School Saturday night before closing out the regular season at home against Hewlett on Tuesday. Garden City is next in action against Mount Sinai Saturday at Farmingdale High School Saturday before its big regular season finale on May 9 at Manhasset.