Caroline DeBellis’ 6 goals lead Cold Spring Harbor to ‘C’ title

Cold Spring Harbor’s girls lacrosse team mustered only six goals March 29 in losing by one to Wantagh. The top-seeded Seahawks nearly tripled that Wednesday night, defeating third-seeded Wantagh, 17-4, at Adelphi’s Motamed Field for the Nassau Class C championship.

The Seahawks had seven goals in the first nine minutes. With a 12-2 lead and a running clock by halftime, they proved they have turned the corner.

“Throughout the season, we really worked hard. We just kept winning and winning,” said Caroline DeBellis, who had a game-high six goals. “We finished everything strong today from start to finish.”

DeBellis’ backhand sling gave Cold Spring Harbor (16-2) a 7-0 lead. She scored once more during a 5-0 run at the beginning of the second half, giving the Seahawks their largest lead at 17-2. Kayla Conway scored all four goals for Wantagh (6-8).

DeBellis had help, as Sophia DeRosa had four goals and three assists, and Grace Tauckus had three goals and an assist. Nicole Mormile had a team-high four assists. Cold Spring Harbor outshot Wantagh 26-7.

“Coming into today, we just had to realize that we’ve seen all the progress we’ve made since we played them,” DeRosa said. “That game wasn’t a good game for us. “

None of the offense would have been possible without the draw team, which coach Danielle Castellane said has gotten better as the season has progressed.

SEE PHOTOSNassau Class C final: Cold Spring Harbor vs. Wantagh

Tauckus and Sophia Taglich split duty inside the circle, while Mormile and DeRosa raced after the 50-50 balls outside the circle. Cold Spring Harbor won 16 of the 22 draws.

“There’s not a practice that goes by that we don’t practice draws,” Castellane said. “I think a lot of people forget that it’s the most important part of the game. It gives you possession.”

Cold Spring Harbor awaits the winner of Thursday’s Mount Sinai-Westhampton game in the Long Island Class C championship, which will be played at Islip on Sunday at noon.

Wednesday was the culmination of a season’s worth of work. Castellane said, “You always want to be better in May than you are in March,” and DeRosa is confident the Seahawks have what it takes.

Said DeRosa: “Today we just pulled it all together and realized that this is a team that could possibly go all the way.”