Last Wednesday, the girls lacrosse team took on the Lindenhurst Bulldogs (10-4). The two teams battled closely for the entire game, changing leads from start to finish.
Junior and captain Natalie Ledwitz led the team with three goals and helped lead the team on and off the field for most of the contest as the second-best goal scorer for the Vikings, trailing only senior Danielle Rosmarin for the team lead.
At the end of the first half, Port Washington was ahead by one goal—leading Lindenhurst 4-3. In the second half, the Vikings scored three goals and the Bulldogs four, tying the game at seven at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime.
Senior Melissa DellaRocca gave Lindenhurst the go-ahead goal at the beginning of the first overtime, but senior Danielle Rosmarin was able to tie it up with twelve seconds to go.
The second overtime was filled with grit, effort, and endurance by both squads. The Vikings controlled the ball in the second overtime, holding Lindenhurst scoreless. However, the Vikings were also met with stingy defense, as they were unable to put the would be game-winner in the back of the net before the time ran out. With a little under three minutes left in the third overtime period, Christina Zolezzi scooped up a rebound in front of the net and scored her fourth goal of the game for the 9-8 win.
“The Lindenhurst game was a challenge for us. We ended up in triple overtime and losing by one. However, it showed our team the potential we have when everyone does their part and works together. It helped us prepare for our post-season games, which started with a huge win over Half Hallow Hills and Baldwin,” said senior captain Ali Seltzer.
“We were neck and neck the whole game and then it went into three overtimes and two sudden deaths,” said captain Ledwitz. “We just hung in there.”
The Vikings currently have a record of 3-10, well below a .500 winning percentage. Although they have struggled this season, underclassmen already on the varsity level will continue to mature for the next two and three years. Sophomore Olivia Ressa currently has ten goals this season.
“It has been a lot of fun being able to play with graduating seniors this year. The team is filled with really talented players and I think we will be able to succeed in the next few years,” said Ressa.
Despite the seemingly unsuccessful record, the Vikings team contains graduating seniors that will be difficult to replace next year. Seniors Rosmarin, Kristin Kujan, and Lauren Desimone have led a steady offensive attack, while Seltzer and Brenna Betsch, who will be attending Sacred Heart University next fall to play lacrosse, have anchored the defensive side of the ball.