Girls Lacrosse: Farmingdale 2011 Preview

A three-peat performance could be in the works for Farmingdale girls lacrosse.  The two-time defending Class A state champions are back on the field, turf actually, at the school, braving the cold weather as the season begins to heat up.

Nothing less than winning it all will be satisfactory for the Dalers.  The team is stacked, with most of the starting lineup returning from the team that took home the crown in Cortland, hoping they get to hoist yet another trophy come June.

"We expect to contend for the conference championship, certainly for the county championship, the L.I. championship, and our ultimate goal is to get on the bus and get up to Cortland again this year," head coach Shari Campbell said.

Should that day come, the bus will be full of talent, looking for title number three.

Last Season: 15-4, NY State Class A Champions.

Head coach: Shari Campbell (third season).

Key players:

• Kelly McPartland, midfield
• Maegan Meritz, midfield
• Jamie Leone, attack
• Kim Kolodny, attack
• Alex Gurecki, goalie

Position breakdown:

The Dalers return most of their low attack and their entire midfield from a year ago. Campbell calls senior Jamie Leone the "little lefty," and says the offense runs through her. Krislyn Engelke and Kyra Ochwat will be looked to for scoring, and Kim Kolodny will chip in on the low attack as well.

Senior captain Kelly McPartland will be heading to Maryland next year, and representing the U.S. in Germany on the under-19 squad this summer.  For now, she and Maegan Meritz provide speed in the midfield. Campbell calls Meritz a "tireless warrior" who seldom comes out of the game. 

The key to the Dalers success is their man-to-man defense.  A zone may occasionally be deployed, but make no mistake, man 'D' is the foundation of the team.

"We are a man-to-man, big help-slide, double team, all over the field defense," Campbell said.  "We're lucky enough to have a great goalie in Alex Gurecki, so we're not afraid to push the envelope because we know in the end she'll make a big save for us."

"Last year we had a weak defense when we started, then we got so strong, everyone was doubting our goalie," Leone said.  "Now we're all returning players and we're going to be really good, we just can't be selfish."

Campbell says virtually the whole basketball team is part of the lacrosse squad, not to mention soccer back in the fall.  The chemistry is there, and success on the court definitely carries over onto the field.

"I love coaching the three-sport athlete because angles of attack and depth perception, defense and offense, it's all basketball and soccer related, so it's a great transfer for us," Campbell said.

Expectations:

Win it all.  The Dalers have scheduled some formidable non-league games against the likes of Manhasset, Wantagh, even Darien, CT to keep them sharp for Conference A-I play, featuring fellow contenders Port Washington and Massapequa. Farmingdale hopes to keep their edge.

Key Games:

April 4: Farmingdale @Manhasset, 6 p.m.

April 6: Farmingale @ Port Washington, 4:30 p.m.

May 2: Darien, CT @ Farmingdale, 4 p.m.

May 11:  Massapequa @Farmingdale, 4:15 p.m.