Spring Sports Preview: Mamaroneck Girls Lacrosse

If you like offense, go to a Mamaroneck girls lacrosse game. The Tigers have played three times so far, losing to Pearl River 18-14, beating Horace Greeley 20-9 and then losing on Monday to John Jay 20-14. That's an average of almost 32 goals a game.

"We're a very strong, athletic team, and we have a lot depth, which is very exciting for us," coach Laurie DeRosa said. "We have many offensive players who are strong this year and really understand the
game."

Captain Sarah Massey said that the team's strength lies in its depth.

"When we play other teams I notice that there's one player that really sticks out in my mind," Massey said. "On our team it's not just a one-person show."

The team returned its top two scorers from last season in Lauren Rush and Abby Baigelman. Rush is a strong attacker with incredible game sense. Despite being a junior, she was voted by her teammates as a captain, which says a lot about her role as a leader on the team. Baigelman's biggest strengths are her speed and agility, and she serves as a powerful second scoring option.

In addition to the offensive fireworks, the Tigers do have strong defenders as well, led by seniors Caroline Clarke and Jessica Leddy. Another defender is Massey, a leader on and off the field, where she is always getting the team pumped and keeping everyone positive.

"I'm definitely not the strongest player out there, so I try to use my voice in that way," Massey said.

Massey said that three years ago, when DeRosa became the assistant coach under John Savage, the players on Mamaroneck decided they wanted to improve the program.

"Since then we've been trying to do that every way possible," Massey said, including practicing up to three hours a day, six days a week, and playing over spring break.

The roster is pretty evenly split between seniors (seven), juniors (four) and sophomores (six), along with a freshman goalie. Clarke said that the team is still finding its groove after having to replace so many graduated seniors, but it's nothing the Tigers can't fix. The team has good stick skills and great speed, which is one attribute
that can't be taught.

"I think we need to work on putting all our plays together," Clarke said "We're having a little trouble executing but that comes with practice and in a few more weeks we should be doing really well."