Lacrosse still is a developing sport in this area, but a handful of programs have made significant strides in short time. Wappingers and Highland both enjoyed program firsts last spring ― the Huskies reaching the Section 9 final for the first time and the Warriors becoming the first Dutchess County girls lacrosse team to advance to the Section 1 semifinals.
With consideration to past performance and team success, and with potential factored, the Journal selected some of the stars who are expected to shine brightly this spring and several others who should stand out.
Girls lacrosse 2024 Elite 11
Caitlin Becker
School: Highland
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack, draw specialist
What makes Caitlin elite? With her athleticism and instincts on offense, and her excellence in the draw circle, Becker helped lead the Huskies in a breakthrough season that culminated in their first trip to the Section 9 Class D final. The Adelphi commit is a capable scorer and facilitator who also recently notched her 100th draw control.
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Alexa Cazzorla
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Alexa elite? The two-time Journal All-Star is a tireless worker who shines on both ends and in transition, and she has been instrumental in helping Wappingers ascend. The Bentley University commit had 37 goals, 21 assists, 34 draw controls, 39 groundballs and 16 takeaways last season, earning all-Section 1 honors. She eclipsed 100 career goals last week.
Deirdre Connolly
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Deirdre elite? The multi-talented midfielder has steadily excelled, making plays all over the field and leading the Warriors during their rebuild. The two-time Journal All-Star last season had 46 goals, 11 assists, 40 draw controls and forced 25 turnovers, earning all-Section 9 honors.
Yianna Giannoulis
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Yianna elite? The Belmont Abbey commit combines remarkable athleticism with leadership, savvy and an ever-improving skillset. A track and field standout as well, Giannoulis has proven to be a difficult matchup in transition, who also can weave through set defenses, create and finish with a deep repertoire of moves. She scored 53 goals and won 39 draws last season, earning Journal All-Star honors for a second time.
Leah Klotz
School: Highland
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Leah elite? With her quickness, tenacious style and deft moves, the Plattsburgh commit is a constant threat inside 12 meters and a lethal scorer on crease rolls. A two-sport standout who also stars at volleyball, she emerged last season as a go-to scorer for the Huskies during a turnaround season and earned all-Section 9 honors.
Sadie Manger
School: Pawling
Grade: Eighth
Position: Attack
What makes Sadie elite? She turned heads last spring with a debut season so impressive, it made it seem almost as if the varsity level was elementary to the middle-schooler. Manger, with her athleticism and shot-making skills, announced herself with 69 goals and 13 assists, earning Journal All-Star selection. She had a 14-point performance in a game last week.
Kaylee Reaves
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Kaylee elite? The Robert Morris commit has good play-making instincts and shot-making skills, often able to dupe the defense and get off slick passes and shots at difficult angles. Reaves offered glimpses of her talents last season with 25 goals and 18 assists, helping Wappingers reach the Section 1 Class A semifinals, and she figures to have an even greater role this spring.
Sade Reyes
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Senior
Position: Defense
What makes Sade elite? Described by coach Sean Rowan as "our most athletic player," Reyes is the energetic leader of an excellent defensive unit that held opponents to 7.6 goals per game. The speed enables her to stick with offensive players on drives and dodges, and she is able to astutely read the field and make disruptive plays.
Taryn Satkowski
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Sophom*ore
Position: Attack
What makes Taryn elite? Her do-it-all skills and versatility provided the Warriors an infusion of explosive talent last season, helping the team more than double its win total from the previous year. Satkowski had 39 goals, 19 assists, 24 caused turnovers and 51 groundballs and received all-Section 9 and Journal All-Star nods.
Mackenzie Velsmid
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Mackenzie elite? Wappingers' blink-of-an-eye offense begins with her as Velsmid so often is able to self-draw, outrun the pursuit up field and initiate the transition offense. That's in addition to her superb defense. The Endicott commit won 113 draw controls, forced 33 turnovers, scooped 47 groundballs and scored 20 goals last season, earning all-Section 1.
Haley Washall
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Freshman
Position: Midfield
What makes Haley elite? She has exceptional speed and lacrosse IQ belying her age, which contributed to her being productive even as a seventh-grader. Washall is building an impressive resume and has already surpassed 100 career goals. The Journal All-Star had 51 goals, 16 assists, 33 groundballs, 17 forced turnovers and 41 draw controls last spring.
Others to watch
Quinn Ahrenholz, Highland, A, 8th; Abby Anderson, Lourdes, D/M, Sr.; Jessica Bianco, Arlington, A, Sr.; Sophie Brassard, New Paltz, M, Jr.; Sophia Bronzi, Arlington, D, Sr.; Piper Casey, New Paltz, A/M, Sr.; Erin Crowe, Arlington, A, Sr.; Illa Defraites Scott, Red Hook, M/D, So.; Ava Feliciotto, Wappingers, M, So.; Nevaeh Haines, Roosevelt, M, Sr.; Taylor Kabat, Red Hook, A, Jr.; Aileen Keevins, Arlington, M, So.; Molly Mackenzie, Lourdes, D, Sr.; Kalle Masseo, New Paltz, M, Sr.; Amanda Mauro, Arlington, D, Jr.; Martha McBride, Haldane, M, Jr.; Sidney Mayers, New Paltz, M/A, Jr.; Grace McGann, Arlington, A, Jr.; Morgan McHale, Lourdes, M, Sr.; Alexia Mitchell, Pawling, M, Sr.; Sophie Murtaugh, Highland, D, Sr.; Emily Nevermann, Pawling, A/M, Fr.; Kathleen Ninos, Wappingers, D, Sr.; Ellen O'Hara, Haldane, M/A, Sr.; Stella Plant, Roosevelt, M/A, Fr.; Avery Reimer, Wappingers, M, Sr.; Madison Reynes, Roosevelt, M, Fr.; Kayla Ruggiero, Haldane, A/M, So.; Jill Santaroni, Wappingers, A, Sr.; Ella Sardino, Roosevelt, M, 8th; Sami Thomas, Haldane, M/A, So.; Audrey Trick, Wappingers, M/D, Sr.; Logan VanZandt, Highland, M, 8th; Mackenzie Wahl, Pawling, A/M, Fr.; Kelcey Whalen, M/D, Jr.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com;845-437-4826;Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Girls lacrosse: Here are the Journal's '24 Elite 11 & players to watch
