Somers Spring Sports Previews

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Boys and Girls Lacrosse and Flag Football Photos

Softball Slideshow

After Last Season’s Post Season Disappointment, Lacrosse Team is Pointed Forward

Last season the boys lacrosse met an abrupt end to their season in the semifinals of the sectionals, and the disappointment is not forgotten. “Any time your season ends short there’s a motivation factor,” said head coach Jordan Hirsch. But the difference for the Tusker is the direction.

“They’re looking at it from a point forward perspective,” said Hirsch.

A new team with a new edge, the coach added, he started in goal - even though the position is still up in the air. “We got a really good competition going,” said Hirsch, “they’re all making our decision difficult.”

A good problem to have, according to Hirsch, the defense is in good hands. “Coach Spillane has them really dialed in,” he said.

They include Bret Kennedy, Brendan Lyle, Tristan Wachtel and Logan Ruby. “Our returning defenders got significant playing time last year,” said Hirsch.

The defense has depth too. “Some of our younger guys are putting pressure on the older guys, so all the defensemen are looking good,” said Hirsch.

In transition, Dean Palazzolo and Holden Brelesky are back at midfield. “We got a great rope unit with our defensive midfield,” said Hirsch.

Up the field, Miguel and Tristan Iglesias return to join forces on the attack with Ryan Brush and Cam Violante. “They are all very hungry,” said the coach.

Scooping up the crumbs, Matt Mayfield is back on the draw, and all together, the end point is the same. “The goal is to get better every day and be in a position where at the end we’re playing well when it’s most important,” asserted Hirsch.

That helps when the roster is littered with a number of state champions. “The crossover between football and lacrosse is really strong,” said Hirsch.

An undeniable pedigree, the translation to the spring comes down to the daily nitty gritty. A strong work ethic leading the way, he concluded, “they know what it takes."

Somers Girls Lacrosse is ready to get out of the Gate Quick

After a slow start last season, the Somers Girls Lacrosse team picked it up and finished with a winning record. Losing to the eventual sectional champs of Nyack, the Tuskers don’t quite have the luxury of sluggishly getting out of the gate, and neither does anyone else in Section One.

The (90 second) shot clock is the big thing,” said Coach Deb Daly. “So we’re going to talk about moving the ball, moving up the field and utilizing time.”

Taking the long view, Daly started on the defensive end. Emma Donaldson will be in between the pipes, and the sophomore will be quarterbacking Julia McCartin, Sophie Padovani, Meadow Dondl and Maddie Whipple. “They communicate and have been working hard on their stick skills,” said Daly during the first practice.

Shut down, the middies are already showing they can pick up the slack. “The transition is really looking good,” said Daly.

The girls got a pretty good anchor too. “She’s going to be the focal point,” said Daly of Notre Dame commit Sydney Ingraham.

The senior isn’t surrounded by slouches either. Kate Barton and Caitlyn Mayfield are returning as sophomores, and Mia Paulmeno is fully on the mend. “She’s come back so healthy and strong,” beamed Daly.

Joining them on the clock, Lyla Mancini and Jocelyn Klein have their tusks sharpened. “They are going to be real threats this year,” boasted Daly.

Not alone, Daly still remains modest, and the aspiration follows in kind. “The goal is to be above .500, make it to the playoffs and at least get to the second round,” she concluded.

Flag Football Continues to Build Toward Success

Last season, after Somers Flag Football opened with several losses, the Tuskers reached the sectionals and did more than just show up in the first round. They beat Panas 32-0. “The whole team was jumping around,” said Rebecca Lippolis. But even though the Tuskers were the team with the donut in the next round, one senior leader conveys the consensus for this year’s prospects.

“We have high hopes for the season,” said Julia Schmidberger.

A two way player, the Tusker is in the scheme of things with an addition to the coaching staff. “We’ve got a new coach on defense. Coach Albano, he’s been super helpful to us because it was one of our weakest parts last year,” said Schmidberger.

The safety, her game has gone up a notch as a result. “You have to know to watch every single player - the ball, the quarterback, the runners, everything,” she said.

No rest on the other side, Schmidberger looks forward to connecting again with her quarterback. When eye contact is made with Natalia Antonecchia, sparks fly. “She feels compelled to pass,” said the receiver.

On the other side of the field, Chloe Harris has her own chemistry with Antonecchia and solidifies the bond by turning on the burners. “I like getting past people,” she described the adrenaline rush.

Also on the run, Cara Persico does her thing without a first class ticket. “I see the holes, and I guess where they are going before they do it,” said the running back.

Olivia Wiegand, on the other hand, gave up finding the holes for filling them. “I started as a running back and switched to cornerback,” said the junior.

She keeps it simple either way. “My job is to have my eye on the wide receivers,” said Wiegand.

Of course, the defender knows there’s no place for going it alone. “We have to rely on each other and play our own part to get the job done,” Wiegand said.

In this, Wiegand sees the synergy translating to wins. “Our team is going to be really strong and really successful,” she concluded. “We have a great set of girls."

Somers Softball Aims to One Up Section One

Last May, Somers really busted the post season softball bracket and landed in the finals versus top seeded Harrison. All good things, though, a 5-0 loss was good for second place. So obviously the Tuskers are thinking championship, but all the returning players make the goal more than just rumination.

Only one departing senior from last year’s team, said Coach Theresa Ricci, “The key players are coming back, and that’s how we're going to build.”

Friday begins the season at John Jay, and sophomore Emily Boyle has the date circled. Fastball, curve and the change up, said Ricci, “she has all of it. She’s increased her speed and is working on her movement. So I’m hoping she has even more strikeouts this year.”

Next up from JV is Mia DiChiaro. “Her strength is getting the pitch straight down the middle,” said the coach.

Still developing the bends, the sophomore is slated to be number two in her first year. “We just want Mia to be there to support and back up Emily,” said Ricci.

On receipt, Katherine Papa doesn’t miss a beat. “She is always ready to play,” boasted Ricci. “Never gives up, she's the one who’s always leading the team, playing her hardest and eager to go every single moment of every single game.”

Of course, her number one priority is front and center. “Her and Emily have an unbelievable bond,” said Ricci.

At third, Somers won’t break either with Kiera Griggs. “She’s improved her fielding skills. So I’m really excited to see how she moves, and at the plate, she hits for power,” asserted the coach.

So does Katie Cole, and the same goes for the shortstop’s ability to hit to all fields. “She has so many different coaches and is always training,” said Ricci.

The junior was also there when her team lost in the finals. “She wants to win it all - everything,” assured the coach.

On the turn, Alyssa Pirraglia has the coach ready to pivot. “It’s looking beautiful,” said Ricci of the double play combo, “I am so excited.”

Finally, Caitlin Fitts blows the horn at first and ain’t bad with the bat. “She hit a grand slam to get us into the finals,” said Ricci.

In center, Kaleigh Conti takes nothing for granted. “Every single practice and game we’ve had the last two years, she has increased her range, her communication and her speed,” clarified Ricci

That leaves Victoria Morel in right and Julia Peanamanda in left. “I’m excited to see how our outfield locks it down,” she said.

As for the offense the order is not set yet, but in terms of locomotion, the lineup doesn’t matter. “Every single player is so fast,” said Ricci. “We are going to create a lot of mistakes.”The goal then should come a lot easier. “We want to continue to grow every single day, stay one as a team and do better than we did last year,” Ricci concluded.