Despite falling short of a playoff berth in head coach Rachel Ray’s first season, Long Beach finished with an impressive 10-5 record in 2010 that a young, talented team looks to improve on this season.
For the Marines, anything short of a playoff berth will be a disappointment. Expect East Meadow and MacArthur to be among the teams battling Long Beach for postseason slots.
Ray likes the competitive nature of the team’s practices.
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“I feel that one of our strengths is our depth,” Ray said. “We have a lot of girls fighting for playing time, so they’re pushing one another to get better each day. Practices have been condition-oriented, so we’re not going to get outworked.”
Like every other position on the field, the Marines have competition in the cage. Senior Allie Kaplan and sophomore Elyse Stark are both vying for playing time, with Stark appearing to have an edge. Stark sees the field well, and has a player’s mentality. Both are very capable net minders.
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A trio of sophomores leads a formidable defensive attack. Hayley Kosiner, Molly Martin and Katherine Meyers all play well beyond their years. Sophomore Kirsten Horvath is a versatile player who provides offense and defense. Senior captain Emma Fisher and sophomore Chandler Gregor provide depth on the defensive end for Long Beach.
Freshman center Liz Rourke, in her second year with the varsity, plays more like a senior. Rourke is a big offensive threat who can dodge, feed and finish. Senior Kadee Medrano, junior Tricia Murphy, and freshman Melissa Rubin are solid group of middies that make things happen between the lines. Rourke and Murphy handle most of the face-offs for the Marines.
Sophomore Molly Medrano and eighth-grader Emma Cohen will also contribute at midfield. Senior captain Emily McLoughlin is the go-to girl for Long Beach. McLoughlin is terrific behind the net, sees the field well, dodges in the crease and finishes with the best of them. Ray sees McLoughlin as an extension of the coaching staff on the field. Sophomore Jillian Piazza, who has the versatility to shoot both left and right handed, is a perfect complement to McLoughlin.
Junior Lauren Santinello is a strong finisher from the right side, and senior Danielle Danoski will contribute from the left. Eighth-graders Hanna Sofield and Rebecca Idson, freshman Hope Henry, sophomore Jackie Deniston, and junior Aileen Denis will all contribute on attack for Long Beach.
Ray, who is assisted by Tara Wesselhoft, is optimistic about the 2011 Marines.
“The girls are capable of doing some big things,” she said. “We’re young, but the underclassmen play like veterans. My expectations are very high for the team.”
