The first HF-L Girls Lacrosse team top row (from left): Coach Kevin O’Connell, Brittany McDevitt, Casey Lewis, Jamie Uzialko, Brianna Banford, Sarah Cox, Crissy Gardner, Coach Dalton; middle row Chelsea VanVoorhis. Casey Whyte, Katie Smith, Millie Cambalik, Rachel Shellman, Krista Schunk; bottom row: Danielle Whyte, Ashley O’Brien, Ally Hills, Sara White. Photo provided by John Price
BY JOHN PRICE
No doubt the HF-L Lacrosse program is very successful, did you know that it was twenty years ago this week on April 7 & 8, 2004, that the Varsity teams took the very first steps on the path to that success. It was the final step in a building process that began in 1996 with the HF-L Youth Lacrosse Club.
The girls started April 7th with a trip to East Rochester to face Fairport, coached by Kevin O’Connell. While the girls fell in that game 10-4, they were very competitive and began to set the standard as one of the best teams in Section V. Sara Cox scored the first goal in school history at 13:10 of the first half of the game. Sara finished with 1 goal and 1 assist. Also scoring were Casey Whyte, Katie Smith and Krista Schunk, scoring one goal apiece. Ashley O’Brien finished with 10 saves in goal.
The girls played a very tough schedule facing many of the best teams in the area and finished the season with a 7 – 10 record. It was a great start to a promising future. Following the season, several of the girls earned Monroe County All-league selections. First Team – Sara Cox (M), Krista Schunk (M). Second Team – Katie Smith (M), Jamie Uzialko (A). Honorable Mention – Ashley O’Brien (G).
The first HF-L Boys Lacrosse team top row (from left): Coach Rick Pound, Rocky Pugliese, Chris Stanton, Eric Holton, Ryan Mulcahey, Mike Brisbane, Kyle Beck, Jacob Vogt; middle row: Dan Layfield, Bryan Zavitz, Kevin Garvey, Kevin Marafioti, Erich Dehm, Dustin Mulcahey, David Uzialko; bottom row Kade O’Brien, Mike Cintineo, John Cintineo, Zane Witzel, Will Fargo, Jeffry Price. Photo provided by John Price
The boys started April 8th, traveling to the DeWitt school to face Webster Thomas, coached by Rick Pound. In a very close and exciting game the boys came out on top 13-12! Mike Cintineo scored the first ever goal at 11:20 in the first period. This team was immediately one of the best teams in Section V, playing an up tempo style with crisp ball movement and tough defense. Scoring that day was led by Jeff Price with 6 goals/2 assists, Mike Cintineo 2/2, Eric Holton 4/0, Erich Dehm 1/1, Dan Layfield 0/2, David Uzialko 0/1. Mike Brisbane finished with 16 saves in the goal.
The boys finished the season with a 12 – 4 record. Another great start for a new program. Following the season, many of the boys were recognized with Monroe County All-league selections. First Team – Kyle Beck (D), Mike Brisbane (G), Mike Cintineo (A), Erich Dehm (M), Jeff Price (A), David Uzialko (M). Second Team – John Cintineo (M), Kade O’Brien (D). Honorable Mention – Dan Layfield (M), Dustin Mulcahey (D).
The members of these two teams set the expectations for Cougar Lacrosse and twenty years later the HF-L Boys and Girls teams are still going “Hard, Fast, Strong”!!
