No. 3 Ranked St. Anthony’s Lady Friars Team Preview

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Making the top three in the LILJ top 25 preseason rankings are the St. Anthony’s Lady Friars. They are not only one of the best teams on Long Island but they are regarded as one of the top teams in the country. In a covid-shortened season last year they went 12-0 and won the Catholic League State Championship for the 11th time in 12 years. They defeated rival Scared Heart in the championship game to take home the title. The roster has a lot of returning players that are poised to lead them to another championship. Head Coach Summer Keopplin expressed the eagerness that they have to get back on the field this spring.

“We are so excited to get back to a full season this year. We have a challenging schedule, strong competition, and cannot wait to get back on the field. Our key to success is playing like a unit and supporting each other all over the field. We have an athletic and deep roster and are looking forward to bringing everything together in March.” The offense is extremely difficult for opponents to contain. Last year they averaged 13.5 goals per game and the majority of their attack and midfield unit is back this season. Senior Abigail LoCascio (Northwestern) is one of their starting attackers that is back following a 12 goal 13 assist season last year. One player she will be playing alongside is senior Meredith McPharlin. A few of their extremely talented players on the midfield unit are seniors Ava Biancardi (Duke) and Kate McAteer (Navy) and sophomore Tess Calabria. Biancardi was their leading scorer with 16 goals, while McAteer added eight goals to go along with 11 assists. Calabria scored 14 goals as just a freshman and is arguably the top player on Long Island in the class of 2024. Calabria was also a participant in both the LILJ High School Winter League and LILJ Winter Box League where she took both leagues by storm. Junior Rose Christie (Villanova) also returns as part of a deep midfield unit and contributed with 13 goals last year. Defensively St. Anthony’s was elite at shutting down their opponents. They got it done with great team defense and an elite goaltender between the pipes. That goalie was 2021 graduate Erin O’Grady who saved nearly 70% of the shots against her and was the MVP of the championship game as well as the CHSAA Player of the Year. Her presence will certainly be missed as well as defender Marley Anna who was also a 2021 graduate. Two defenders they will definitely lean on this year are seniors Taylor Cullen (Michigan) and Sammy Baker. Cullen is a two-time defensive MVP, and Baker is described as having tremendous vision on the field. A tough schedule for St. Anthony’s will see them play some great teams both on the island and across the region. Some of their notable Long Island matchups include at Wantagh (4/3), at Syosset (4/7), vs. Sacred Heart (4/13), at Manhasset (4/20), and at Sacred Heart (5/9). St. Anthony’s has seen a number of players in recent years who left a strong legacy while wearing the Friars uniform. Here are some of their notable alumni that are now playing collegiately. Erin’ O’Grady ’21 (Michigan) Katie DeSimone ’20 (Duke) Hunter Roman ’20 (BC) Natalie Smith ’20 (Syracuse) Bella Palagonia ’20 (Florida) Kira Accettella ’19 (Stony Brook) Charlotte Verhulst ’19 (Stony Brook) Sophia Iaccino ’19 (Quinnipiac) Sabrina Cristodero ’18 (Hofstra) Shannon Boyle ’18 (Hofstra) Charlotte Campbell ’16 (5th year at Stony Brook)[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://vimeo.com/686400670″ el_width=”80″ align=”center”][/vc_column][/vc_row]