As the No. 5 seed, Yorktown defeated No. 2 Horace Greeley 14-6 at Lakeland last season in the Section 1 Class B title game to win the team’s 13th sectional title. The Huskers’ season ended in an 18-5 loss to Section 8 champion Garden City in the Region 1 championship game, also at Lakeland.
Garden City entered the game as the No. 7 squad in the Q-Collar Girls Public School National Rankings.
Yorktown beat Greeley 15-12 in the 2023 sectional final at Nyack, the Quakers got their revenge in 2024, topping the Huskers 10-8 at Lakeland for the title, before the Huskers returned the favor.
The Huskers will be looking to return to the sectional final for a fourth straight season and have plenty of returning talent to do so.
One of those top returning players is junior All-Section midfielder Annie Cunneen, who committed to play at Rutgers University.
“Annie has been a dedicated member of the program since joining as an eighth grader and has grown to make a big impact all over the field,” said Husker fifth-year coach Heather Raniolo (YHS class of 2012), a former Husker defender/draw specialist who played on YHS’s state final four squad during her junior campaign. “As a highly skilled midfielder and draw specialist, she consistently demonstrates strong field awareness, excellent stick skills, and the ability to contribute on both ends of the field. Her work ethic and leadership set the tone for her teammates, and she continues to elevate the level of play whenever she steps on the field.”
Another high level junior Husker midfielder is All-Conference Lily Diaz.
“Lily has been a dedicated member of the program since joining the team as an eighth grader and has continued to grow into a key contributor,” Raniolo said. “Known for coming up with big athletic plays when the team needs them most, she brings energy, determination and competitiveness to every game. We also rely on her on the draw, where her strength and quick reactions help us gain valuable possessions. Her athleticism and clutch performances make her an important part of our team’s success.”
Another Husker who came on board as an eighth grader is sophomore All-League attacker Sydney Sateriale.
“Since joining as an eighth grader, Sydney has truly come into her own and developed into a confident, impactful player,” Raniolo said. “Her work ethic, determination, and willingness to continue to raise the bar for herself have allowed her to continue building on prior success year after year. Her confidence, high level of skill and understanding of the game continue to develop, making her a consistent threat on the field. As we head into this season, she remains a player that we can rely on to make an impact and help lead the team’s success.”
All-League honorable mention sophomore attacker Ava Ryan also has been part of the team since eighth grade.
“Ava has continued to develop into an important contributor,” Raniolo said. “With strong fundamental skills and a deep understanding of the game, she has stepped into a key role for our team. Her high lacrosse IQ allows her to make smart decisions on the field and put her teammates in great positions to succeed. Her composure and awareness make her a valuable asset as we move into the season.”
Raniolo said the Huskers’ goal coming into the season is to continue growing as a team while competing at the highest level in their section.
“We want to build on our past success by improving every day—individually and collectively—and making sure we are playing our best lacrosse when it matters most,” Raniolo said. “We need to stay committed to the details: working hard in practice, communicating on the field, trusting each other, and holding ourselves accountable. If we continue to grow, support one another, and push each other to improve, we’ll put ourselves in a strong position to compete with anyone we face this season.”
Cunneen, Diaz and junior defenders Gianna Boucher and Isabelle Wilson are the Huskers’ captains.
“As we enter the 2026 season with the goal of staying at the top and remaining a highly competitive team, our captains are expected to lead by example every day,” Raniolo said. “That means setting the standard in effort, accountability, and attitude.”
Yorktown will start its season when it hosts Mahopac at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 25.
Lakeland/Panas has numerous top-returning players, led by senior All-Section midfielder Brooke Pizzarello, who will play at the University of Albany.
“Brooke is crucial in all aspects of the game and has been growing in her leadership role,” said Lakeland/Panas coach Leah DiSisto, who is in her second consecutive season and third overall coaching the Rebels.
DiSisto, a 2008 Lakeland graduate, was a defender for the Rebels when they won sectional titles in 2007 and 2008 along with a regional title in 2007.
Returning on defense is senior Kelly McAleese.
“Kelly gives strong direction on the defensive end and is able to transition the ball to the offensive end well,” DiSisto said.
Senior Samantha Alleva also returns playing defense.
“Sammy is one of the strongest defenders I have ever coached and her tough mindset will carry the team through games,” DiSisto said.
Another returnee, senior midfielder Sophia Hoffman, will play at Clarkson.
“Sophia has officially transitioned to an offensive threat and will be a huge help in creating and finishing plays,” DiSisto said.
Senior Katelyn Kuney is a returning midfielder.
“Kuney is quick and her ability to finish goals is strong,” DiSisto said. “We are looking for her to be a huge contribution this season on the offensive end.”
Another returnee, sophomore midfielder Gabby Goldstein, has earned her place as a starter at a young age because of her drive and willingness to work hard according to DiSisto.
“Her defense and shooting skills have improved greatly and she will be one of the most important people on the field,” DiSisto said.
DiSisto said that the biggest goal for this season is to stay consistent throughout games.
“We need to come out strong and stay strong throughout,” DiSisto said. “The leadership this year will help this.”
Pizzarello, McAleese, Kuney, Mya Wilkowski (senior, attack) and Alleva are the team captains who DiSisto expects to stay strong and positive throughout games.
The Rebels will look to improve on last season’s 6-12 mark, one that ended as the No. 10 seed, losing at No. 2 Horace Greeley 15-3 in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Class B Tournament
Lakeland/Panas, which will play its home games at Lakeland this year, starts out this season’s campaign on the road at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 23 at John Jay-Cross River.
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