The Farmingdale PAL Spirit sixth grade girls lacrosse team extended their winning streak to three with a dominant 10-3 victory over Long Beach increasing their record to 3-0-1. The Spirit led at halftime 6-0 and 7-1 after three quarters. The Farmingdale girls completely dominated the Long Beach team, but the Spirit players and coaching staff refused to run up the score showing good sportsmanship.

Defensively the team was led by their goalkeepers Samantha Elie and Julianne Cona. Elie preserved a first half shutout with three excellent saves. Cona played a great second half with five top notch saves. Both keepers did a great job starting the up field transition after each save and on other occasions with well timed and well placed clearing passes.

Farmingdale played their typical excellent field defense. In addition to great one on one defense all over the field the Spirit repeatedly denied their opponents access to the Farmingdale goal with superior eight meter defense and fabulous double and triple teams. Stefanie Rulli, Ashley Raso, and Brittany Tuzzolo led the Spirit defensive effort with outstanding play in the Farmingdale defensive zone and then in the offensive zone when their respective trio units were there. Danielle Dialto once again showed superior midfield play with her hustle and stick skills.

Another main element of the Spirit's victory was their total domination of getting the loose balls on the ground. Even the Long Beach coach credited the Farmingdale win to this important aspect of the game. Allison Laudage repeatedly came away with critical loose ball acquisitions in both the defensive and offensive zones. Kate Thompson and Carolyn Psillos, among many others on the team, also came away with a number of ground ball pickups.

The Spirit scoring was led by the talented Shannon Haas with two goals and two assists while the equally skilled Melissa Maier had two goals and one assist. The rest of the Farmingdale scoring was evenly distributed with Lauren Broten, kate Wood, Alyssa Dorsey, Julia Castaldi, Jackie Gunn, and Brittany Kohlman each scoring one goal apiece. The Spirit team concept was again highlighted by great overall passing and some very nice assists by Jen Troy and Lauren Principato.

Coach Joe Fanning was joined by assistant coach George Psillos in praising the unselfish team orientated play of the Spirit and the exceptional manner that they all play the game. Win or lose the entire Spirit team continues to increase their skills, knowledge, and enjoyment of the game.

The Farmingdale 8th grade Conference A team won their 5th consecutive game, defeating Huntington 13-4. Huntington opened the scoring going up 1-0 and then Kim Miller broke free scoring Farmingdale's first goal tying the game at 1. Michelle Maier then scored on a fast break, putting Farmingdale ahead 2-1. Courtney Cullen then scored on a pass from Katie Dorso. Farmingdale closed out the half with goals from: Michelle Maier and Terri-Ann Beier for a 5-2 lead at the half.

In the second half, Katie Dorso and Kristine Pullen each scored an unassisted goal to put Farmingdale ahead 7-2. Michelle Maier scored on an assist from Ali Lauterborn. Michelle Maier, Kristine Pullen, and two goals from Ali Lauterborn closed out the Farmingdale scoring.

Erica Masci and Kian Lyons, who both had tremendous games, led Farmingdale defensive effort picking up loose balls and starting Farmingdale's fast breaks. Maggie Grubb and Denise Mulhall also played massive games knocking down Huntington passes and shots and clearing the loose balls. Nicole Juray intercepted many attempted passes, clearing promptly to an open player. Ryann Quinn and Kari Rotkin both played solidly on both offense and defense. With their hustle and play-making skills, Farmingdale goalie Megan Hardgrove made several outstanding point blank saves frustrating Huntington's offense constantly. She made 10 saves in all, keeping Farmingdale ahead in Conference A with a 5-0 record.

The last two games have proven themselves to be a battle for the 4th grade White team. Although both games were played hard and with heart, they ended in defeat. In the midst of a heavy downpour Farmingdale came out strong against the tough Wantagh team on April 28. Alexis Rzempoluch and Alyssa Cardillo put Farmingdale on the board within the first three minutes of the contest. Wantagh then came to life offensively, outpacing Farmingdale which eventually allowed them to lead convincingly, 11-6 late in the third quarter. The Farmingdale defense then proceeded to buckle down. At the forefront were Megan Ryan, Fiona Grubb, Kelly Grzinic, Taryn Boyle and Samantha Smith. Contributing to the offense were Lauren Connors, Katie Murphy, and Lisa Duddy whose great team play enabled the girls to mount their comeback. Leading the scoring Alyssa Cardillo (5 goals), Alexis Rzempoluch (3 goals), Jordyn Hasemann (1 goal), Taylor Sciara (1 goal) and congratulations to Brianna Kane on the first goal of her career. Despite the flurry of goals, the score rested at 12-11 with 22 seconds left on the clock. Farmingdale won the draw and then proceeded to make their two passes and got their shot on goal only to be rebuffed by the Wantagh goalie.

The White team's game this past Sunday was hard fought. The North Shore team was strong and talented with the score ending in their favor 9-5. Megan Planz with her "good luck dance" was spectacular in the goal tallying 12 saves, 8 of these saves were at point blank range. She kept the girls within striking distance in the first half manifesting itself by the fact that Farmingdale remained only one goal behind. The offense continually mounted an attack on the North Shore goal with crisp passing by Sarah Mulcahy, Lisa Duddy and Taylor Sciara. Extraordinary ground ball play was carried out by Vanessa Amezquito which greatly added to Farmingdale's pursuit. Putting Farmingdale on the board were Alyssa Cardillo (2 goals), Katie Murphy (1 goal), Jordyn Hasemann (1 goal) and Alexis Rzempoluch (1 goal).

The defense was constantly put to the test by the talented North Shore team. Anchoring the defense were Emily Todd, Megan Ryan, Taryn Boyle, Amy Neuburger, Fiona Grubb and Kelly Grzinic. The girls are learning good team play and the coaches would like to thank the parents for their support. Good luck to the White team as they face Garden City next Sunday at home.

The Fourth Grade Girls Lacrosse Green team lost to Garden City Red in a well-played game on Sunday, May 5. Green kept it close in the first half with some nifty midfield play by Tara Gannon and Michelle Mellina which help produce two goals for Green. Melanie Raso scored the first goal for Green when she received a super pass from Julianne Littel. Ellie Boltja scored the second goal a penality shot. The relentless pressure put on by the Green Attack of Sarana Volenti, Emily Chernakoff, and Samantha Ricena caused the obstruction call with led to the goal. Although, the talented laden Garden City squad was overpowering, Farmingdale Green fought hard to the end. Kelli-Ann Hess and Samantha Spadaro with their exceptional hustle help produce Green's third goal in the 4th quarter which was scored by Melanie Raso. The fabulous hustle after ground balls by Allison Gallagher, Kristen Fowler and Amanda Troy kept Green in the game. Kaitlyn McCrystal showed real courage playing goalie for the first time and made several outstanding saves. Sara Bolja, Jacqueline Sonneshein, and Alexandra Zwerling played heads up defense in the losing effort.

Farmingdale's combined seventh and eight-grade PAL girls lacrosse team lost a real close one with five seconds left 9-8, against their biggest rival Plainedge. It was a great game with the score changing every couple of minutes. The clock ran out with Plainedge ahead.

The scoring was lead by Kristin Jones with 5 goals, Jenna Block 2, and Jillian Carar 1. The rest of the offensive team consisting of Kristen DiLiello, Erin Forstrom, Amanda Dorsey, Patricia Draghi, Margaret Wheeler, and Nicole Prechtl also played an outstanding game. Farmingdale's defense was led by Stephanie Butler; Melissa Crow, Silvia Megalaa, Katie and Mary Orabona, and Brittany White. Brenna Dugan had another great game in goal both halves making 9 saves. Coaches Tim Jones, Tom White, and Greg Diliello were pleased with the girls determination in keeping the game close.