DiSalvo Nets 8 Goals, Hewlett Wins Big, 21-12

By Scott P. Moore
Standard Staff Reporter

Hewlett’s Val DeNapoli charges down the field past the Long Beach defenders en route to set up a goal. Photo by Scott P. Moore.

The Hewlett Bulldogs girls varsity lacrosse team scored its first league victory against the Long Beach Marines on Monday afternoon, 21-12. Sam DiSalvo led the way for Hewlett, scoring eight goals and earning one assist.

“Today was the first game where we really followed our game plan,” said Hewlett Head Coach Patrick Gromley. “When they follow the game plan, we’ll score 20 often. Everybody’s got to be working together and today they did.”

In a battle of the Bulldogs, Hewlett and Long Beach played a back-and-forth game throughout the first half with Long Beach taking the lead three separate times and Hewlett being forced to rally back from deficits of 3-1, 5-3 and 6-5. Hewlett took the lead for good in the first half on a nifty goal from only a few feet out by DiSalvo, giving Hewlett a 7-6 lead. The Bulldogs closed out the first half with a 9-7 lead.

“DiSalvo got all those goals because everybody else was moving too,” said Gromley expressing his happiness with the girls’ teamwork. “When she wants to go to goal, it’s really tough to stop her. She’s a phenomenal athlete and patient going to the goal.”

Long Beach came out hot during the second half, going on a 4-1 run in the opening five minutes and took an 11-10 advantage over Hewlett. DiSalvo came through for the Bulldogs again, quickly tying the game up on her sixth goal of the day. Hewlett’s offense came alive as they aggressively attacked the net, catching the Long Beach defense off-guard with seven more goals and taking a 18-11 lead. Long Beach came back for one more goal, but Hewlett answered with three more before time expired. The Hewlett Bulldogs took the victory, 21-12.

“We were controlling the game from the draw,” said Gromley. “If we can have the ball in our sticks, we’re going to control the game.”

The win improves the Hewlett Bulldogs girls varsity lacrosse team to 1-2 in league play and 3-2 overall.

“It feels good,” said Gromley, who coached at Long Beach for a few years. “Hopefully we can keep continuing this against the other teams ahead.”

Hewlett will play its next game at Glen Cove High School in non-league action after the upcoming Easter/Passover break on April 16th at 4:30 p.m.

Hewlett Scoring

Sam DiSalvo – 8 goals,1 assists
Jenni Rogoff – 5 goals, 4 assists
Emily Cohen – 4 goals, 3 assists
Val DeNapoli – 2 goals
Sam Schecter – 2 goals
Gabby Korin – 1 goals