Wantagh aces first 'B' test

Quick, who’s the patron deity of Wantagh? Ok, weird question. But how about Janus, the Roman god of beginning and endings? Janus, also the namesake of January, is usually depicted with two heads, one looking ahead one looking behind.

Just like Wantagh girls lacrosse.

The Warriors have reached five straight county championship games, falling to Garden City each time. It would be easy for this team to get tunnel vision and only focus only on getting past Garden City. But there are no easy wins in Class B. While Wantagh wants to take down Garden City, plenty of teams, South Side and Calhoun for instance, would love to take Wantagh’s place.

Wantagh left South Side in its rearview mirror, for now, with a 17-6 victory yesterday at the Dean Skelos Sports Complex in Rockville Centre. There’s a good chance the two teams could meet again in the Class B playoffs.

Jackie Sileo (pictured shooting) had five assists and a career-high seven goals for a career-high 12 points and Paula Schmidt had a career-high 10 points (five goals, five assists). To have such a performance against a Class B rival is big.

"It definitely boosts our confidence," said Schmidt.

Schmidt, All-County in 2009, is big reason why Wantagh will continue to keep its eyes forward. Only a junior, she’s already proving to be one of Long Island’s brightest lacrosse stars. Schmidt leads a score of talented juniors and ensures Wantagh will be a contender for at least the next two seasons. But with Sileo, a senior, setting the table for the offense (she has 15 goals, 19 assists so far) the Warriors definitely are talented enough right now.

Wantagh won’t take on Garden City until May 11, the last game of the season. If history is any indication, they’ll meet again a few weeks later in the county final. If it gets that far, Wantagh can’t look back.