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Sports

Season Preview: 2011 Port Washington Girls Lacrosse

Team looking for great results after semifinals loss last year.

After losing to defending state champion Farmingdale in the Nassau County semifinals last year, Port Washington is looking to win it all this year. The team only lost one key player in defensive midfielder Ali Feldman, who is now playing at Union College. With a cast of Alexa Froccaro, Jackie Froccaro, Christina Commons, Hayley Kerr and Sam Tilts, the team believes that they can do just that.

Their head coach Raquel Piraino believes that the team can be successful by sticking with the philosophy of playing hard, being consistent and winning.

Coach: Raquel Piraino (14th year)

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Last Season: 15-1-1

Key Players

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  • Alexa Froccaro, senior, midfield
  • Jackie Froccaro, senior, attack/midfield
  • Samantha Tilts, senior, goalie
  • Chrissy Commons, junior, midfield
  • Hayley Kerr, junior, defense

Position Breakdown: Senior captain-midfielder Alexa Froccaro is, in one word, unstoppable. Her athleticism, speed and ability to find the net over and over are what made her one of the top 20 attack players chosen by ESPN Rise. Her potential is limitless. She is coming off a 100-goal, 25-assist season as well as being selected as a two-time All-County player. She was selected to play in the Under Armour games and the National School Girls Tournament last season. Alexa is committed to playing for two-time national champion Adelphi University next fall.

Senior Captain Jackie Froccaro is extremely versatile. She takes the draw controls, feeds on low attack, is most dangerous on offense around the crease, and has great body positioning on defense. “Jackie is a workhorse – she is just as valuable on offense as she is on defense,” Piraino said. She was an honorable mention All-County selection last season. The two cousins always find ways to connect on the field and put up big numbers. Jackie finished last season with 62 goals, 4 assists and 149 draw controls in 17 games.

Junior midfielder and captain Chrissy Commons has the “best overall stick” on the team. “She reads the field extremely well, puts up big numbers consistently and also takes draw controls,” Piraino said.  Last season Commons finished with 56 goals and 22 assists. She was an honorable mention All-County selection last season and also participated in the National School Girl’s Tournament. Commons is committed to playing at Division I Hofstra University.

Commons is part of what the team calls a triple threat. “Alexa, Jackie and Chrissy have been playing together for four years, work really well together and bring out the best in our offense and the entire team,” Piraino said. “With this much experience and many talented other players we can’t wait to see how far this team goes this season.” 

On defense, three-year veteran Hayley Kerr anchors what may be the team’s secret strength. Kerr is the backer to our zone defense. “Her role is to be the voice of the defense and double wherever the ball is moved to,” Piraino said. “This is a very difficult position to play and she does it extremely well.” The All-Conference player and USC recruit has experience from being a multi-sport athlete, which helps her tremendously on defense. Port is expecting big things from Kerr and senior defenders Lily Thrope and Carly Rosenberg this season.

Senior goalkeeper Samantha Tilts is heading to Division I Qunnipiac University next fall for lacrosse and is the difference maker in every game. “Sam is consistent, mentally tough and her goaltending skills make her one of the top goalies on Long Island,” Piraino said. Tilts has the ability to make that game-changing save a team needs at a critical moment in the game. “She is exactly what you look for in a goalie – she doesn’t get rattled, stays focused, excellent reaction time and has great stick work,” said Piraino. Tilts was an All-County selection and also played in the National School Girls Tournament.

Expectations: Making it to the Nassau County Championship game.

Key Games:

4/28 @ Hicksville 4:45 pm

5/4 @ Massapequa (BURNS PARK) 5:00 pm

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