MacArthur aims for conference title

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After placing second in Conference-III last year, MacArthur girls' lacrosse is focused on reaching the top this season.

The Lady Generals (3-1) are armed with plenty of returners from a team that finished 6-4 in league play before falling to county power Garden City in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. Fourth-year coach Dan Agovino established the slogan “never settle” that his veteran players are buying into as they look to raise the standard as a program throughout the spring.

“We have a lot of returning players and expectations are very high,” Agovino said. “We want to keep pushing that bar higher.”  

Reigning All-Conference goalie Mary-Kate Sweeney is off to a hot start in her second season starting behind the cage including s 13-save performance in a 9-6 win on March 25 during MacArthur’s league opener against crosstown rival Division. The junior netminder also delivered 11 saves in a 15-13 non-league win at Conference II opponent Floral Park on March 23.

“She has been lights out,” Agovino said of Sweeney. “She has really stepped up

this year.”

The Lady Generals have plenty of senior experience on the roster including two-way midfielders Olivia Quitoni and Marisa Misura along with attacker Kelly Cook, who are taking on captain roles in their final season of high school lacrosse. Both Cook and Quitoni netted three goals in MacArthur’s season-opening 19-10 win against Clarke on March 18.

“They lead with their actions,” Agovino said of his senior captains. “They are very poised.”

Misura and Quitoni have keyed increasing the amount of offensive possessions by dominating on draw controls. The duo combined to win 80 percent of the draws in the Floral Park game to spark the victory.

Senior Marisa D’Angelo is also a big factor in the offense and broke out with four goals in the Floral Park victory. Sophomores Ryan McAllister (midfield) and Sophia Quitoni (attack) are also emerging as scoring threats in their third season on varsity.

The MacArthur defense has shined with a standout goalie along with her twin sister Tara Sweeney and senior Brenna Holler in front of the cage. The backline limited Division and Hewlett to just two second-half goals in back-to-back games. The stout late defense in the Hewlett game propelled MacArthur’s rally from a 6-3 halftime deficit before falling in overtime.

“This is the most balanced team I have ever coached,” Agovino said. “We have strength at both ends of the field.”

MacArthur will face competition for the Conference III title with Division, Hewlett, Calhoun, Friends Academy, Hicksville, Bethpage, East Meadow, New Hyde Park and Mepham. Agovino said winning the league title is important not just for pride but for also earning a favorable seed in the Class B playoffs.

“The girls have really bought in to what we are trying to accomplish,” he said.

The Lady Generals are next in action at home on Thursday against Jericho for a 4:30 p.m. non-league game before hosting Conference III foe Friends Saturday at 10 a.m. The upcoming schedule also features MacArthur’s seventh annual “Lax 4 Autism” Day when it battles Carey on April 27 at 9 a.m.