No. 18 Ranked Wantagh Warriors Team Preview

Continuing to move up the ladder in the LILJ top 25 preseason rankings, it’s back to Nassau County with the Wantagh Warriors who enter the season as the reigning county champs of Class C, making it all the way to the Long Island Championship where they were defeated by Sayville. After a deep playoff run in 2024, they’re back in 2025 with 14 returning players on their roster. Entering year three is Head Coach Lauren Ruppert who said that the key to a successful season this year is “putting in the work and playing together.” This winter Wantagh was once again a participant in the LILJ HSWL gearing up for what they hope is another run to the Long Island Championship.

Starting with Wantagh’s offense which averaged just under 10 goals per game last year, their attack includes senior Albany commit Riley Forthofer who had over 40 points junior year, Isabella Sandoval the senior committed to Binghamton who recorded over 20 points last year, and junior Madeline Drago who has recently committed to UMBC. At midfield Wantgah returns senior James Madison commit Juliana Cerasi after a 34 goal, 12 assists season last year. Cerasi will also play a big role on the draw circle as a primary draw taker.  Adding to their midfield is junior Sabrina Asadurian (Stony Brook) coming off of a breakout sophomore year with 28 goals and 4 assists for 32 points. Their biggest loss on offense is 2024 graduate Sienna Diglio who led Wantagh in points with over 50. Shifting to the defensive end of the field, in the senior class one of the top defenders is Lyla Ingrilli (Maryland) and in the junior class they return Katelyn Baudo, two of their key returning upperclassmen. They are without 2024 graduates Brighid Smith and Paige Martin, two of their starters from last year which will now create an opportunity for others to have an increased roll this year. In goal Wantagh has junior Madeline Gonzalez (Iona) who this winter recorded 51 saves which was the third most of any goalie in the league and had a save percentage of 56%. With the start of the new season on the horizon, coach Ruppert shared what excites her about her team. “We have 14 returning players who have been playing together for past year through season, summer, and fall. They have learned each other strengths and have motivated each other through their weaknesses. I am so excited to watch them play and be each others strengths.” Wantagh’s season will begin with three consecutive non-league games against St. Anthony’s on March 24th, Harborfields on March 25th, and Connetquot on March 29th. They open up their first league game in the power conference against North Shore on March 31st.