Sports Recap: Greeley Girls Lax Off To Winning Start

Greeley enjoys winning start

Last year, Horace Greeley’s girls lacrosse squad won just one game.

This year things have changed dramatically.

After winning just one game a year ago, Horace Greeley improved to 3-2 after a 19-9 triumph against Arlington on April 15.

“My team worked together over the whole fall and winter and we really stress the team, over individual play,” Greeley coach Annamarie Marasco said. “We have a great group of young ladies willing to work hard. Our goalies, Arianne Crummer and Sydney Marks, are both pushing each other during practice to improve their skills and they have come up with some great saves. So overall, the team is playing as a team and is having fun!”

The day before, Greeley had evened its record with a 22-12 home victory against visiting Harrison. Greeley jumped out to a 13-4 halftime lead and was never headed.

Greeley was motivated by the fact that it was determined to rebound after a 12-6 loss to visiting Byram Hills in its previous game on April 11.

“My team knew they did not play well and were upset they let that game get away from them,” Marasco said. “When we played Byram Hills the girls let some calls get into their head and we did not use our home-field advantage of grass to help us with the ground-ball pickups.”

Greeley though came out really determined to redeem themselves against Harrison. The Quakers were dominate in the draws during the first half and were able to transition and score.

“While we had a good first half up 13-4, we all know that in the game of girls lacrosse, the score can change in a couple of minutes,” Marasco said. “Harrison came out strong the second half, and did not let down in their intensity level. In the second half of play, we were even with eight goals for each team so our first half lead really helped us win the game.”

Marasco said that her team continues to improve in some areas, but in others still needs to focus on the basics.

“We continue to struggle with the basic skills of catching the ball under pressure, cutting to the ball, and getting the ground balls,” Marasco said. “The game of lacrosse is ball control and we seem to lose our focus at times and turn over the ball. My team knows that each player must do their job on the field and contribute to the good of the team.”

“As we saw from the second half we let down our intensity and our focus and we played even,” Marasco said. “In the second half, I was able to get all my players into the game so we really need to work on making sure everyone does their job and works as a team.”

Greeley’s three players who seem to step up every game according to Marasco are her three captains, Jess Kreisler (seven goals, one assist against Harrison), Laura Ogden and Courtney Hill. They do this by going out and playing 50 minutes of intense lacrosse, Marasco said.

Greeley center Maura Grant had a breakout game against the Huskies with six goals and two assists.

“She needs to continue to have that kind of game for the remainder of the season,” Marasco said.

Marasco said there have been others that have played key roles in Greeley’s early season success so far.

“Issy Berkey (three goals and one assist) is all over the field as a middie and is such a great athlete and makes some great plays in transition,” Marasco said. “My offense is ever evolving, but yesterday, Hannah Gutenplan (two goals, two assists), Miranda Litwak (one goal, one assist), Willa Rosenblum (one goal and one assist) and Hannah Dunn (one goal) stepped up. Olivia Statman (one assist), a freshman, has started every game for me so far, and she is fun to watch. She understands the game and she continues to improve.”

Also contributing to the win against Harrison was Kelly Ginsberg with one goal and Crummer with seven saves.

Looking ahead

Those looking for a big day of local action look no further than next week. That is when Fox Lane and Horace Greeley will face each other in both baseball and softball.

Greeley will host both games on April 26 with Fox Lane doing the honors on April 28. Games on both days will be at 4:30 p.m.