Lady Vikings Lacrosse Leaves Mark on 2010 Season

Despite losing in the Nassau County Class A semifinals to the Farmingdale Lady Dalers, the Schreiber Lady Vikings lacrosse team has a lot to be proud of this season.

The team went undefeated during the regular season and claimed the Conference III title — its first conference title in a decade.

"I think they've exceeded our expectations and goals," Lady Vikings head coach Raquel Piraino said. "We were 2-12 and 3-13 in the two previous seasons, so when you go and turn that around to a 15-1-1 record you can't be anything but overly excited about the turnaround … We won our conference, which hasn't been done since 2000, and we haven't been to the semis in five years. As far as all the positives, that one loss is nothing compared to what we've accomplished."

Schreiber's turnaround can be attributed to several of their key role players, including junior captain Alexa Froccaro.

"I think that with all of our success this year, it's going to make kids who are in the younger age groups want to play lacrosse," Froccaro said. "It's definitely going to help the rebuilding process for next year and for years to come. Also, I feel like our success this season will help our own confidence for next season."

Senior captain Ali Feldman added, "This season definitely taught our team how to win and we just came together as a team."

On top of the tremendous accomplishments as a team, the Lady Vikings have also had several players receive individual post-season honors.

Froccaro and junior goalie Samantha Tilts were named members of the All-County team while junior captain Jackie Froccaro and sophomore midfielder Christina Commons were given All-County Honorable Mention. Feldman and sophomore defender Hayley Kerr both received All-Conference honors.

"It's awesome," Alexa Froccaro said about the honor. "I had gotten it last year as well, but it's great to get it two years in a row and be recognized for the hard work. Any county award is really such a great compliment."

The number of award-winning players is impressive, but the fact that five of the six players who won major awards at the end of the season will be around next season is extraordinary.

"I always tease them, I have to find ways to get them left back so I can have them another year," Piraino said of the Lady Vikings' returning players. "They're great kids, they're committed kids, and they really have the heart and want to win."

Schreiber, which will only lose four of its players to graduation, has a youthful core which should carry the team over the course of the next few seasons.

"I think we're a year away," Piraino said in regards to where her team is headed. "This core group of kids now has playoff experience. They've all figured out what it feels like to lose and how hard they have to work to win."

Piraino said the four graduating seniors — Feldman, Caroline Millo, Anniki Santala and Sara Lee — won't be easy to replace, but that their efforts have put the Lady Vikings in a favorable position heading into the next few seasons.

"They're part of the foundation of rebuilding," Piraino said of her seniors. "We're finally back on the map, as far as lacrosse goes."

Feldman, who will attend Union College in the fall where she will play on the women's lacrosse team, added, "I was on varsity as a freshman and I just watched the team transform. I couldn't be happier knowing that we were undefeated this season. Having Piraino and [assistant coach Mary] Romano as coaches was an amazing experience. They really taught me everything. ... Overall, I think it was a great season and I'm really happy with the experience and outcome."

The Lady Vikings' loss in the county semifinals can't change the fact that this was one of the most productive seasons in the team's history. Even with this season's success, it was just a stepping stone for a team that may have a Nassau County title in its immediate future.