2011 Spring Preview: Lindenhurst Boys & Girls Lacrosse

The boys and girls lacrosse teams enter 2011 in a similar position, trying to keep their heads above water in Suffolk County's hotly contested League I.

Though both have some holes left to fill from last year's seniors, they're shaping up into legitimate playoff threats this year.

Boys Head Coach takes over the reigns in his first full season as head coach, after being an assistant since 1996.

Ranked 14th in the county to start the , McCandless knows his boys have their work cut out for them if they're to advance into the post-season for the first time in three years.

"We missed the the last two years, and before that we made the playoffs for four years in a row," he said. "My number one goal is to get back to the . The top 12 go in, so we’ve got to jump up a couple spots, which I think we can do."

Chris Caiazza and Kyle Cropsey will be doing the majority of the goal scoring for the Bulldogs, while getting help from Keith LaClair, David George and Kevin Irving in the midfield.

They'll need a strong effort from Joe Hergenhan in net to preserve key victories, as well.

"The teams in the middle of the road from nine to 12, we’ve got to beat them to take their spots," McCandless said. "That’s what we need to do. Sachem East will be a big game for us. If we can catch them, we’ll be good."

The girls team will be looking to avenge a first-round playoff exit at the hands of Ward Melville last season. The losses of Kelsey Russo, an All-American honorable mention now playing at Sacred Heart, and all-County player Kim D'Angelo will leave big holes for a young team, but Head Coach Tom Carro is excited for the challenge.

They return Jessica Wharry and Gabriella Valela, who will lead a talented group of sophomores this season.

"They’re my top two scorers. I also have a young group of sophomores who are probably the best group I’ve seen in some time - maybe the best group to come through Lindenhurst."

But with promising youth comes questions. These girls will have to adjust to the fast-paced game Division I offers if they're to succeed.

"Recently, we’ve always been between eighth and tenth in the county," said Carro. "This year, my estimation is that we’ll be better than that. But at the same time, having such a young group, you don’t know they’re going to respond to being in Division I and competing at a higher level of play."

Rachel Ramirez returns as one of those talented sophomores. Carro called her "one of the best goalies in the county right now."

They'll rely on her heavily, along with a number of her classmates, to help Lindenhurst get back to the playoffs.

"I think as the season goes on, we’re in a position where we can only get better," said Carro. "I think we could have a very successful season, but when you’ve got a group of young players, it really could go either way."