Mepham Girls Lacrosse Named Conference Champs as Johnson Makes 150th Career Goal

The Mepham Girls Varsity Lacrosse team defeated Glen Cove High School 17-10 yesterday win the Conference Championship. They will find out next week who they will meet in the playoffs.  Lauren Johnson led the team with seven goals including the 150th goal of her career and two assists. 

Cristina Olson had four goals and two assists. Jess Gelbwaks scored two goals and Nicole Stackpole, Alex Giorgos, Ashley Appel, and Sam Acri also scored. Kathryn DeLauter recorded 12 saves. Kaitlyn Paolillo, Erin Neuwirth, and Michelle Olson provided outstanding defense.

The team also celebrated Senior Day yesterday. Coaches Geraldine O'Brien and MaryBeth Vetro would like to thank the Sports Booster Club, Mr. Harrington, Mr. Lerner, Mr. Muscara and Mr. DiClemente and his staff for their assistance and support throughout this winning season.

They would also like to express appreciation to all of the parents who have come out to cheer them on throughout the season. The departing senior players are:

#26 Kathryn DeLauter: Kathryn is a two year starting varsity goalie and is a captain this year.  In tenth grade she joined the varsity team for several games including the playoffs. Kathryn was the team's unsung hero and an Academic All American in 2009. Kathryn recorded a season high 20 saves against Sewanhaka on May 3; she has a total of 179 saves this season. On April 29 against Hempstead Kathryn made four saves in the first half and then scored her first career goal.  Kathryn will be attending the University at Albany, SUNY and majoring in Business. 

#12 Lauren Johnson:  Lauren "LJ" is a four-year varsity starter and two-year captain.  Coming into this game LJ is ranked No. 4 on Long Island and No. 2 in Nassau County for points (86); No. 5 on Long Island and No. 2 in Nassau County for goals (62); and No. 14 on Long Island and No. 4 in Nassau County for assists (24). She was a member of the All-Conference Team in 10th grade. After a strong start to her 11th grade season, LJ suffered a season ending injury and the team greatly missed her. LJ recorded a career high 10 points against Bellmore-Kennedy on April 13 when she scored nine goals and gave one assist. LJ will be attending Monmouth University (Division I) on lacrosse and academic scholarships.  She will be majoring in Math Education.

#22 Kaitlyn Paolillo: Kaitlyn "Pao" is a four-year varsity starter and two year captain. As a defender she has marked and shut-down some of the top-scorers in our conference. She recorded career high two goals against Great Neck South on March 25. She has tallied three goals and one assist this season. She was a member of the All Conference Team in 2009 and was the team's MVP. Pao was named an Academic All American by the US Lacrosse Association in 2009. She will be attending SUNY at Cortland and majoring in Special Education.

#27 Theresa White: Theresa is a two year varsity player and is a captain this year.  Theresa plays both defense and attack. This year she has tallied one goal and two assists.  In addition to her classes at Mepham, Theresa has completed two years of study at the Cosmetology Program at Calhoun High School.  She will be attending Nassau Community College and majoring in Business.  

Sarah Hecker: Sarah is a two year manager for the varsity team. Sarah not only records all of the team statistics, she also helps with team strategies and feeds the hungry girls.  Sarah will be attending Nassau Community College and majoring in Adolescent Education.