10 things to watch in the Nassau girls lacrosse playoffs

1. Can Massapequa repeat?

Massapequa hopes to keep control of the top of Nassau Class A. Top-seeded Massapequa has won four county titles since 2016 and defeated Syosset, 11-8, in the final last season. Joely Caramelli had 36 goals and 27 assists, Bridget Valentine had 25 goals and 17 assists, and Jessica Giller had 19 goals and 23 assists to lead the scoring. Lucianna Cardello, one of the top goalies in the area, anchors the defense.

But No. 2 Syosset won’t make anything easy for Massapequa. Syosset lost, 8-6, in the regular season to Massapequa. Megan Kitagawa had 29 goals and eight assists for Syosset. No. 3 Oceanside hopes to pull off a few victories over higher seeds and make the final.

2. Garden City looks to defend its crown

The Trojans dropped their final two games of the season by a combined three goals – their only two losses in conference play this season. Top-seeded Garden City had a lot of turnover from last season’s Long Island Class B champion team that defeated South Side, 14-6, in the county final but reloaded with a ton of talent.

Marie Cacciabaudo scored 26 goals and Caitlin McNaboe added 19 goals to lead the offense as Garden City has played without Meghan Rode, the team’s top returning player committed to Syracuse, due to injury.

Garden City won the Long Island Class B championship last season and won state titles in 2016 and 2017.

3. Long Beach looking to make history

Long Beach has a strong chance of winning its first county title in program history, according to Newsday records, entering the Nassau Class B playoffs as the No. 2 seed. Long Beach features one of the top playmakers on Long Island in Delaney Radin, who had 52 goals, 41 assists and finished tied for third in Nassau with 93 points.

Cate Miller is a strong defensive midfielder who added nine goals and three assists. Ava Main had 19 goals and 19 assists, Delaney Chernoff had 17 goals and 16 assists and Keira Bauer had 19 goals and four assists. Sarah Gusler plays tough in net.

The Marines nearly rallied back from a 6-3 halftime deficit to Garden City this season before losing, 7-6. If they meet again in the final, it could be another game down to the final whistle.

4. Wantagh’s tremendous trio

Wantagh has been led by three of the top players in the county in Madison Taylor, Madison Alaimo and Eva Ingrilli. Wantagh, which last won a county title in 2017, enters as the top seed in Class C after winning the Conference I title. Taylor, who contributes in every facet of the game, had 60 goals and 32 assists, Alaimo had 55 goals and 34 assists and Ingrilli had 35 goals and 33 assists as Wantagh, the county runner-up last season, looks to win its first state title in program history. Wantagh’s high-powered offense scored at least 17 goals in six its 15 games this season..

5. Can Manhasset win it again?

Manhasset graduated a strong core from last season's Nassau Class C championship team, but Alexis Morton had led the offense this season with 32 goals and 27 assists.

Shea Panzik had 25 goals, and Annalisa Massaro added 20 goals playing in front a strong defense. Manhasset has won three straight county titles and a state Class B crown in 2018.

Manhasset’s only conference loss this season came to Wantagh, 14-11.

6. Kylee Colbert leading North Shore

Colbert, one of the most dynamic players on Long Island, had 82 goals, 15 assists and finished second in Nassau with 97 points. She was the top scorer in Conference I and has the ability to take over a game against any opponent. She'll be pivotal as No. 3 North Shore looks to make an extended run in the Class C playoffs.

Kate Gilliam has 40 goals and 11 assists and Ava Bartoli has 22 goals and 10 assists as North Shore aims to win its first county title since 2013.

7. Loaded Class C

Many of the top teams in Nassau play in Class C this season. South Side, Plainedge, Seaford, Lynbrook and Bethpage also had very strong seasons and are capable of defeating any team any day.

8. Cold Spring Harbor is the favorite in Class D

Cold Spring Harbor defeated Locust Valley, 10-7, in the Nassau Class D final last season. Ava Tighe had 57 goals and six assists as the Seahawks played a difficult Conference I schedule as they look to win their fourth straight county title. Cold Spring Harbor won the Long Island Class D championship last year after winning back-to-back state crowns in 2018 and 2019.

9.  Playmakers to watch this postseason

There is no shortage of dynamic playmakers in Nassau, including:

• Juliana Stanley (No. 11 Division, Class C): 79 goals and 21 assists.
• Casey Rhine and Gia Patane (No. 6 Roslyn, Class B): Rhine had 65 goals and 25 assists, and Patane had 56 goals and 33 assists.
• Mary Kate Person (No. 9 Jericho, Class B): 88 goals and five assists.
• Alex Leggio (No. 6 Seaford, Class C): 42 goals and 48 assists.
• Sara Curley (No. 7 Lynbrook, Class C): 41 goals and 26 assists.
• Emma Kelly (No. 5 Plainedge, Class C): 55 goals and seven assists.

10. The schedule

Class B opening round May 14

No. 9 Jericho at No. 8 Baldwin (Winner plays No. 1 Garden City)

No. 12 Carey at No. 5 MacArthur (Winner plays No. 4 Mepham)

No. 11 Bellmore JFK at No. 6 Roslyn (Winner plays No. 3 Calhoun)

No. 10 Herricks at No. 7 New Hyde Park (Winner plays No. 2 Long Beach)

Class C opening round May 17

No. 9 Locust Valley at No. 8 Bethpage (Winner plays No. 1 Wantagh)

No. 12 Mineola at No. 5 Plainedge (Winner plays No. 4 South Side)

No. 11 Division at No. 6 Seaford (Winner plays No. 3 North Shore)

No. 10 Friends Academy at No. 7 Lynbrook (Winner plays at No. 2 Manhasset)

Class A quarterfinals May 18

No. 5 Port Washington at No. 4 Farmingdale (Winner plays No. 1 Massapequa)

Winner of No. 7 Freeport/No. 6 East Meadow at No. 3 Oceanside (Winner plays No. 2 Syosset)

Class D semifinals May 23 at Adelphi

No. 4 Wheatley vs. No. 1 Cold Spring Harbor

No. 3 Oyster Bay vs. No. 2 Carle Place