The Farmingdale PAL Spirit girls' lacrosse team finished its undefeated Long Island Senior Girls Youth Lacrosse league season with a 14-9 victory over Manhasset for their sixth victory in a weather-shortened season. Farmingdale finished first in the league's top conference. The Spirit scoring was led by two of the eighth-grade captains, Jenna Block and Kristin Jones. Block had three goals with three assists, finishing as the teams points leader, while Jones hit the back of the net five times with an assist on Kristen DiLiello's goal and finished as the team's top goal scorer. Seventh-graders Candace Rossi and Shannon Haas each had two goals to finish out great individual seasons. DiLiello had two assists to go along with her one goal and Jillian Cerar also had one goal and two assists. Tara Gangarossa and Katie Wood rounded out the day's scoring with Gangarossa having two assists and Wood one.

Midfielder Melissa Maier as always played a fine game in the center of the field with her outstanding athletic offensive and defensive abilities. Defenders Brittany White, Melissa Crow, Amanda Dorsey and Erin Forstrom once again proved to be one of the best defensive units in the league. The Spirit's defensive unit held the Manhasset offense well in check. The score was not indicative of the Farmngdale dominance since the Farmingdale coaching staff substituted liberally and took many of the top players out toward the end of the game with the score at 14 -6.

Goaltender Brenna Dugan had another great game with eight saves, which allowed her team to sit on a comfortable lead. Her clears were very effective and started many successful full field transitions. Kiera Murphy and Margaret Wheeler played hard and contributed offensively and defensively.

Assistant Coach George Psillos guided the team in the absence of Head Coach Joe Fanning, who was on the sidelines of the Farmingdale girls' varsity game against Northport in the Long Island championship, which the Lady Dalers unfortunately lost. Coach Psillos credited the fabulous Spirit defense with being the key to the victory.

The Spirit were supposed to make up their opening day rainout with Levittown on Sunday. However, in this weather-plagued season the game was rained out again. This unfortunately ended the regular season for the Spirit which finished with a 6-0 record. The Spirit won all five games they played on the field and the high-powered Wantagh team forfeited to them.

Coach Joe Fanning was very complimentary and proud of the Spirit this season. Fanning proudly reported, Úquot;This team was a very solid and powerful one from top to bottom. Every player contributed to its success. It had the best defensive unit in the league and a very potent offense that possessed many scoring threats. It was team lacrosse at its best. All the girls, just like the coaches and parents, should be proud of the way they have matured into talented and athletic lacrosse players. I know they will continue to improve and enjoy the game.

The entire coaching staff wishes all the eighth-graders the best of luck as they prepare to move to high school lacrosse!Úquot;

Last Saturday, the seventh-grade girls played their last regular season game against an undefeated Bethpage team. Fortunately, the game was at home for Farmingdale and the girls were not about to lose in front of their hometown fans. Farmingdale set the tone of the game from the opening whistle with Lauren Broton and Lauren Principato dominating the center field draws. Jackie Gunn led the team offense scoring two goals, with Jessica Wadsworth, Alyssa Kildare, Broton and Principato also scoring goals. Farmingdale's midfield transition showed much improvement with the fine play of Danielle Dialto, Katie Thompson, Stephanie Rulli, Brittany Kohlmann and Amanda Lavista. The attack, led by Liz Edwards, Julia Castaldi, Lia Costanzo, Alexandra Maldonado and Jen Troy, kept constant pressure on the Bethpage goalkeeper with their excellent passing and ball control. The Farmingdale defense anchored by Allison Laudage and Brianna Birney received several praises from the Bethpage coaching staff, as time after time they shut down the Bethpage offensive attack. Once again the fine goaltending team of Julianne Cona and Samantha Elle combined to hold the undefeated Bethpage girls to only six goals. Final score Farmingdale 6 and Bethpage 6, in what turned out to be an excellent Lacrosse game.

The seventh-graders finished the season with a 4-3-1 record, which earned them a second-place finish in their highly competitive conference of LISGYLL. Coach Bob Davis was very pleased with the team's performance, ability and skill.