The Manhasset High School Booster Club will once gain sponsor a Day of Lacrosse this coming Saturday on the Manhasset High School campus.

The Manhasset girls' varsity lacrosse team, sporting a 10-2 overall record, and a 10-2 league record, will take the field at 6 p.m. Their opponent will be Freeport High School and our girls enter this contest on a roll, having defeated Port Washington and Garden City last week.

Goalies Ashley Devins and Stella Kim anchor a sound defense for Coach Tom Campolettano. Team co-captain Katie Killeen, Mary Kate Denihan, Courtney Hammer, Lindsay Buhr and Tori Maino make up the rest of the defense unit that has been dubbed "The Blue Steel Curtain." Sophomore Kendra Bernard is a factor all over the field, playing aggressive defense and scoring when the opportunity arises.

The very young starting attack is led by All-County junior Kate Breslin and rounded out by junior Meredith Hotarek, sophomores Lauren Taylor, Juliet White and Ariana Parasco. Complementing the upper classmen is freshman Alycen English.

Standout scorer Kate Breslin said, "We are a young team, but a very potent one. Coach Campolettano and Coach Miller have meshed us into a cohesive unit that is predicated on hard work and hustle. The intensity and desire for post-season success are two motivating forces that are obvious to our dedicated and loyal supporters. We are women on a mission."

As evening descends upon the town of Manhasset, portable lighting will engulf Ed Walsh Field, making it a wonderful venue for the Manhasset boy's varsity lacrosse team to take on Island Trees High School. Coaches Alan Lowe and Bob Rule have assembled a team of unselfish and skilled players. As of the writing, the team's record is 8-2 and climbing.

Freshman sensation Cullen Molinari, when asked about the idea of playing under the lights, said, "I'm sure I speak for the team when I applaud the Booster Club for the opportunity to play at night. Mr. Bill Martocci (chairman of the Day of Lacrosse) has developed a smorgasbord that should whet the palate of any lacrosse fan. So I appeal to all of the Manhasset families to come out and enjoy what should be a wonderful community event. Oh, and please don't forget to watch the half time of the boys' game. The future stars of Manhasset lacrosse, the PAL boys, will put on an exhibition that will be both entertaining and mesmerizing. And for the 'piece de resistance,' I've heard that the Manhasset High School Booster Club will be providing hot dogs, hamburgers and soda all day and evening. Come by and enjoy the culinary efforts of chefs Mario Harris, Tom McMillen and Andy Palmedo. My thanks to the Manhasset High School Booster Club for all of their support to make this day possible."

This past week, the Manhasset High School girls varsity lacrosse team found out they were for real as they got to the meat of their schedule. First they defeated Division 1 rival Port Washington in a game that was tight throughout the first half, but then saw Manhasset dominate in the second half. After an initial sluggish start, the Manhasset defense stepped up. Co-Captain Katie Killeen held all-everything Sarah Walsh to a no-goal game. She was aggressively backed up by the trio of Mary Kate Denihan, Lindsay Buhr and Tony Maino. Offensively, Junior Kate Breslin (7g, 1a) took control for Manhasset. When she wasn't scoring, she was settling the offense and dictating play. As a result, the Manhasset attack was able to generate a balanced and lethal offensive. Aly English, a recent transfer from Port Washington, who played on their varsity as an eighth-grader, Kendra Bernard and Juliette White each had two goals and an assist. Lauren Taylor also contributed with a goal and an assist.

The girls then went on the road to take on archrival Garden City. GC got on the board first, but Manhasset came roaring back. Once again, Kate Breslin (6g, 1a) led the attack. In this game, Manhasset passed the ball well, particularly in the first half as eight of their 11 goals were assisted. Manhasset led comfortably throughout most of the game, but had to buckle down as Garden City mounted a furious rally in the second half, after Katie Killeen had been forced to sit out with her second yellow card. The team is off to play Farmingdale under the lights on Wednesday, as they complete a very difficult two-week stretch in their schedule.