Lacrosse: YHS aims to regain sectional crown, Lakeland/Panas ready to the challenge

YORKTOWN, N.Y. —The Huskers enjoyed another successful campaign last season, finishing 14-5 and reaching the Section 1 Class B Tournament finals for the second consecutive year before losing to No. 3 Horace Greeley 10-8 as the No. 1 seed at Lakeland High School.
Yorktown, which won its 12th sectional title the previous season, will have plenty of talented returning players this spring as it looks for sectional title No. 13.

“We are very excited entering this coming season,” said Yorktown fourth-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. “Losing in the section final fueled our fire heading into this season. The girls and my coaching staff have been putting in a lot of work during the offseason. Players have been growing and connecting with one another on and off the field. It has been exciting to watch and feel the positive energy.”

Ava Cunneen (senior midfielder, will play at the University of Albany, 2024 All-Section, All-League), Brie Gaccino (senior attacker, Iona College, ’23 All-Section, All-League, ’24 missed time due to injury), Sofia Boucher (senior attacker, Southern Connecticut State University, ’24 All-Conference, All-League), Caitlin Mulvihill (senior defender, SUNY-Brockport, ’24 All-Conference, All-League), Annie Cunneen (sophomore midfielder, ’24 All-Section, All-League), and Lily Diaz (sophomore midfielder, ’24 All-Conference, All-League) are the Huskers’ top returnees.

Ava Cunneen, Gaccino, Boucher, and Mulvihill are captains.

“These girls bring a lot of hard work, passion, and energy to practice each day,” Raniolo said. “They are great teammates and work well with one another. I expect the captains to set the tone, lead by example, and hold each other accountable.”

Yorktown, which won state titles in 1996, ’97, ’98, and ’06, was scheduled to start its season at home Tuesday, March 25, against Albertus Magnus.

“Our goals are high this season,” Raniolo said. “We want to compete, play hard, and take the section title back home. We have hopes at regional and state appearances, but are focusing on one day at a time. The girls need to keep the energy high, work hard, and push themselves and each other to be better every day. The majority of our team returns this season and are coming in stronger than before.

“We unfortunately experienced injuries from our veteran players during our last season, but in return, this helped give experience and confidence to our younger players,” the coach continued. “We hope to see that reflect this coming season, as these players take on bigger roles.”

Lakeland/Panas
Last year the Rebels finished 7-11 and, as the No. 9 seed, lost at No. 1 Yorktown 14-5 in the quarterfinals of the Section 1 Class B Tournament. Top returnees include Brooke Pizzarello, who is committed to play at the University of Albany, Lilly Whippo, Maddie DiMirco, and Anna Lemma.

Junior midfielder Pizzarello — who earned All-Section and All-League honors last year — is strong in transition and has a powerful shot.
Senior Whippo (All-League in 2024) is a strong leader and seasoned defender. Her fellow senior DiMirco is an aggressive and fast attacker who is strong on the redefend.
Lemma is another senior attacker, a leader with quick offensive instincts and great defensive communication skills.

Whippo, DiMirco, Lemma, and senior defender Ari Prashad are the captains.

Whippo is an intense defender who will keep everyone focused and fired up, according to Rebels’ coach Leah DiSisto, who is in her second non-consecutive season as coach. DiSisto, an ’08 Lakeland graduate, was a defender for the Rebels when they won sectional titles in ’07 and ’08, along with a regional title in ’07.

DiMirco is a positive player who is always encouraging her teammates.
DiSisto said Lemma will keep everyone competitive but knows when to make everyone laugh and have fun, while Prashad is quiet and kind, someone for the newcomers to go to and feel comfortable with.

The Rebels, who will play their home games at Walter Panas this year, are scheduled to open the season at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at home vs. Mamaroneck.

“We are looking for more consistency throughout the season and for everyone to be a playmaker,” DiSisto said. “We will focus on working as a team and knowing your role, so that everyone is part of the success. There will need to be constant communication and trust, and the girls seem up to the challenge.”