Haley Washall sometimes had to be reminded that it was all right to take a day off occasionally. She was so committed to the Wappingers girls lacrosse team and so determined to improve what already was an impressive skill set, that even her coach encouraged her to take a break.
Never mind that it was during the winter, while Washall also had basketball obligations. She still was a weight room regular and an eager participant in the lacrosse off-season training.
"She's incredible," Wappingers coach Sean Rowan said. "She's one of the hardest workers we've ever had."
Washall is also one of the best players they've ever had — already. She burst onto the scene as a seventh-grader and wasted little time establishing herself as a talented offensive weapon, and she has steadily progressed since.
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The all-section midfielder dominated, totaling 72 goals and 26 assists along with 88 draw controls, 22 groundballs and 11 caused turnovers, leading Wappingers to the Section 1 Class A final.
Those accomplishments earned Washall the Journal's Girls Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Year.
Mackenzie Velsmid, Wappingers
A succinct description of Mackenzie Velsmid's game would be: possession specialist.
In a sport in which success so often is determined by who has the ball and can create the most scoring opportunities, Velsmid excelled in those areas and elevated her team. The Endicott commit dominated the draw and, with her open-field speed and field vision, often ignited fast breaks that led to quick-strike goals.
That, of course, was in addition to her brilliance as a defensive midfielder, effectively using her height and athleticism to shadow opponents, all of which helped Wappingers enjoy its best season in program history.
The senior earned all-Section 1 honors after racking up 148 draw controls, 49 groundballs and 37 forced turnovers in addition to 13 goals and 18 assists.
With that, Velsmid earned a third Journal All-Star nod and distinction as the Defensive Player of the Year.
First team
Caitlin Becker, Highland, Senior, Attack/Draw: The Adelphi commit excelled on the draw and was a facilitator for the Huskies, aiding a turnaround that saw them reach the section final in two straight seasons. Becker won 56 draws and added 21 points, earning all-Section 9 first team honors. She also was recognized by USA Lacrosse as an Academic All-American and was among its Jackie Pitts award winners.
Alexa Cazzorla, Wappingers, Senior, Midfield: She earned all-section and Journal All-Star honors for a second time after helping lead Wappingers' brilliant run with her scoring, hustle and playmaking in transition. Cazzorla had 55 points, including 43 goals, with 34 draw controls and 10 caused turnovers.
Deirdre Connolly, Our Lady of Lourdes, Senior, Midfield: The three-time Journal All-Star had another superb season, using her quickness and guile to excel on both ends. The all-Section 9 pick had 49 goals and 13 assists, and surpassed 100 career goals.
Yianna Giannoulis, Red Hook, Senior, Midfield: The Belmont Abbey commit concluded a remarkable career with another outstanding season. Giannoulis, who became known for her offensive repertoire and excellence on the draw, routinely dominated defenses and eclipsed 200 career goals this season. The three-sport star also set program records for the track and field team.
Nevaeh Haines, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Senior, Midfield: She was a natural, leading the Presidents in a turnaround season despite having only played lacrosse for little more than a year. Haines contributed in all areas, totaling 53 goals and 12 assists along with 71 groundballs, 91 draw controls and 17 forced turnovers.
Taylor Kabat, Red Hook, Junior, Attack/Midfield: With excellent speed, good vision and a knack for finding openings in the defense, she shined this season as a scorer and feeder. She and Giannoulis formed a prolific offensive tandem.
Aileen Keevins, Arlington, Sophomore, Midfield: She earned all-league honors after a breakout season in which she showcased her athleticism and stick skills. Keevins had 44 points, including 23 goals, along with 37 draw controls, 30 groundballs and nine forced turnovers.
Leah Klotz, Highland, Senior, Attack: A reliable scorer with quickness and slick dodge moves, she scored 38 goals while helping Highland reach the Section 9 Class D final. The Plattsburgh commit was a first team all-Section 9 selection.
Sadie Manger, Pawling, 8th grader, Attack: A talented athlete who quickly developed into a prolific scorer with instincts belying her experience, Manger had another spectacular season, leading Pawling to the Section 1 Class D semifinals. She was at times unstoppable, racking up 77 goals and 30 assists, earning Journal All-Star honors for a second time.
Sophie Murtaugh, Highland, Senior, Defender: With her technique, smarts and a fierce tenacity, Murtaugh was a hounding defender on set plays and in transition. The Section 9 all-star scooped 40 groundballs and anchored a defense that held opponents to 7.5 goals per game.
Avery Reimer, Wappingers, Senior, Attack: A consistent contributor throughout her varsity career, she stepped into a more prominent role this season and flourished as a scorer and facilitator. Reimer had 37 goals and 37 assists, earning all-Section 1 honors.
Sade Reyes, Wappingers, Senior, Defender: Described by Rowan as "our most athletic player," Reyes was a defensive catalyst who typically guarded tough assignments and disrupted offenses with her activity. The University of Tampa commit recovered 23 groundballs and forced 15 turnovers, and has an infectious energy that teammates fed off.
Alexis Roff, New Paltz, Senior, Goalkeeper: The Buffalo State commit brought instincts and range to the position and made several difficult saves, helping the Huguenots record a program-record eight wins this season. Roff was an all-Section 9 selection.
Ella Sardino, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 8th grader, Midfield: Her emergence as a do-it-all weapon was a key to Roosevelt more than doubling its win from the previous two seasons combined. The sparkplug had 39 goals, 58 groundballs, 66 draw controls and 14 caused turnovers.
Taryn Satkowski, Our Lady of Lourdes, Sophomore, Attack: She earns Journal All-Star honors for the second time after running up 44 goals, 18 assists and 45 groundballs. Satkowski will be even more of a focal point going forward as the Warriors continue to rebuild.
Mackenzie Wahl, Pawling, Freshman, Midfield: A budding star with a versatile skill set, she enjoyed a breakout season while helping lead an ascending young team. Wahl had 35 goals and 34 assists, serving as a playmaker for an explosive offense, and was excellent on the draw.
Second team
A — Quinn Ahrenholz, Highland, 8th
D/M — Abby Anderson, Lourdes, Sr.
A — Erin Crowe, Arlington, Sr.
A — Ava Feliciotto, Wappingers, So.
M — Kate Faughnan, Lourdes, So.
A — Grace McGann, Arlington, Jr.
M — Kalle Masseo, New Paltz, Sr.
M/A — Sidney Mayers, New Paltz, Jr.
M — Morgan McHale, Lourdes, Sr.
M — Emily Nevermann, Pawling, Fr.
G — Madison Pfister, Pawling, Fr.
A — Kaylee Reaves, Wappingers, Sr.
D/M — Madison Reynes, Roosevelt, Fr.
M — Illa Defraites Scott, Red Hook, So.
M — Logan VanZandt, Highland, 8th
Honorable mention
Arlington: Sophia Bronzi, Sr., D; Sophia Rescigno, Fr., M
Franklin D. Roosevelt: Stella Plant, Fr., D/M; Natasha Diaz-Santiago, Sr., A/M; Shana Whalen, Jr., A
Haldane: Ellen O'Hara, Sr., M/A; Kayla Ruggiero, So., A/M
Highland: Annabella Bruschetti, So., M; Alexandra Carey, So., M; Garand Cockburn, So., G; Kelcey Whalen, Jr., M
New Paltz : Sophie Brassard, Jr., M; Piper Casey, Sr., M; Christine Verney, Sr., A
Our Lady of Lourdes: Isabella DeCicco, So., A; Ariana Grube Rubino, Jr., G
Pawling : Emily Mascia, Jr., D; Alexia Mitchell, Sr., M
Red Hook: Darcy Cavanaugh, So., G; Caroline Pethic, So., D/M
Wappingers: Brooke Cameron, Fr., A; Emma Martin, Jr., G; Kathleen Ninos, Sr., D; Jill Santaroni, Sr., A; Audrey Trick, Sr., M
Coach of the Year
Sean Rowan, Wappingers: He led Wappingers on a historic run, becoming the first Dutchess County girls lacrosse team to reach a Section 1 final, and the Warriors nearly beat Suffern, a state title contender. That followed a sterling regular season in which Wappingers captured a third consecutive league title and proved themselves against a challenging schedule.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Girls lacrosse: Velsmid, Washall lead the 2024 Journal All-Stars
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