‘We have the best kids in the building’

Another excitement-filled season is already underway for the highly capable Warwick Valley High School girls lacrosse program.

The Wildcats are scheduled to host Monroe-Woodbury on Thursday, April 24.

Warwick Valley has once again set lofty, yet seemingly attainable goals this spring.

“Our goal is always to make the Section championship which we have made six out of the last seven finals winning four,’’ Warwick Valley Head Coach Denis O’Connor said. “Last season we were 13-5, overall including the playoffs.’’

Several student-athletes on the varsity roster have enjoyed significant success during their careers for the Wildcats.

“Top returning players are co-captain Kaitlyn Larney (senior, midfielder) and Kelsy Larney (sophomore, midfielder),’’ O’Connor said. “We are starting two underclassmen at attack, sophomore Sophia Mazza and freshman Delaney Corbalis, as well as junior Jolie O’Neill (all of whom are new to varsity). Freshman midfielder Keira Ginley and sophomore Cameron Knox also start along with junior Erin Kelly.

“We have 10 new starters including overhauling the defense with a new starting goal keeper in junior Laci Annunziato. Maddy McSweeney and twins Amiya Chatham and Janiya Chatham are on defense (all of whom are juniors). Senior Sahany-Renee Flowers is our back-up goal keeper.

“Coming off the bench we have Mira Costa and Jenna Alicea at attack, Ashleigh White and Molly Duffy at midfield (all juniors).’’

The Wildcats have already suffered more than their share of unfortunate setbacks on the field this year.

“One of our returning senior co-captains Abby Kadus was lost to an ACL injury in our scrimmage and our third senior co-captain Emma Silva (midfield and defense) has not played in a game yet due to injury so we are extremely young with only Kaitlyn Larney as our only starting senior.’’

Warwick Valley will continue to face very tough competition on a regular basis this season.

“Minisink is the two-time defending Section champ and definitely the team to beat,’’ O’Connor said. “Cornwall and Goshen both moved back up to Class B this season, they and Washingtonville always play hard so the league is never easy.’’

Optimism is indeed in abundance for the Wildcats this spring.

“We have 11 new players on varsity and like I said 10 new starters so we are looking to build team chemistry on the field,’’ O’Connor said. “Off the field the girls are a close group. I always say ‘we have the best kids in the building’. I really mean that. We have excellent young women in this program. My assistant coaches Jamie Barchi and Brittany Anderson are great to work with.’’