Carey enjoying breakout season

Carey’s girls’ lacrosse team has taken off on a meteoric rise after consecutive 2-11 conference records. 

Nobody could’ve imagined Carey busting out to eight straight Conference 4 victories to start the 2024 season. Yes, the Seahawks were buoyed by an influx of productive youngsters from last season’s unbeaten JV but this reversal has stunned the lacrosse cognoscenti. 

“I can’t say I expected this,’’ coach Paul Luzzi said. “I thought we’d be better but I didn’t know to what level. To think we’d be 8-0 to start the conference season was a nice surprise. We got a couple of early wins and it built the confidence in the girls.’’

Carey finally suffered its first defeat May 2 – a 12-11 heartbreaker, against Herricks. The Seahawks’ record stands at 8-3 overall, 8-1 in conference. 

“Credit to the girls and the hard work they put in,’’ Luzzi said. “They dedicated themselves to getting better. As games and practices have gone on, we’ve gotten better and better.’’

Junior Leila Paz has notched 50 goals and 12 assists to lead Carey’s attack. Her 9 goals in the Herricks loss was just not enough. 

“I’m always trying to bring out the best in myself and my teammates so we can be successful,’’ Paz said. “I always like to keep everyone focused.’’

Paz played on last season’s losing squad and loves the new togetherness vibe. 

“Our coaching plays a big part of it,’’ Paz said. “Our teammates, we all have each others’ back. Early in the season we said we wanted to make a change in our program and we all stepped up. We got a goal and wanted to get our goal moving and grooving.’’

Paz was All-Conference last season but has taken her game to a new level with her versatility. “She plays midfield and gets up and down the field,’’ Luzzi said. “She’s a dynamic scorer. She doesn’t come off the field. And she’s great on ground balls.’’ 

Carey’s next leading scorer is Kaitlyn Zitarosa, who has 31 points and its best assist girl with 25.

“She’s our quarterback for the offense,’’ Luzzi said. “We moved her to low attack and she feeds from behind the cage.’’

Three of last season’s JV girls have been phenomenal – attacker Mikayla DePaulo, who scored late April 26 to beat Clarke, 7-6, and defenseman Magdalena Koutsoumbaris and Lexi Giugliano.  “They’re doing a tremendous job as defenders,’’ Luzzi said. 

 Those two first-year starters have boosted the defense, which had allowed 3.1 goals during its 8-0 run, including a shutout.

“Our defense has been stout,’’ Luzzi said. 

The Seahawks’ two biggest wins came against Island Trees and Clarke – two clubs seeded ahead of them in preseason. 

Sophomore Kaitlyn McGrath (20 points) has also been an offensive force. 

“The girls really enjoy playing with each other,’’ Luzzi said. “That makes it a great team. Everyone knows their role and plays their roles really well.’’

 The new kids on the block still have West Hempstead, Wheatley and Malverne left on the schedule before the postseason. 

“Getting to the playoffs, this is what we worked for,’’’ Paz said. “We’re taking each step and keep improving. Everything is falling into place.’’