Yellow Jackets

April 29, 2004

Northport Carol Rose was named Newsday Hi-Five Coach of the Year last season after she led her team to the Long Island Division I girls lacrosse title. Northport, which started this season 6-2, 6-1, is the two-time defending Suffolk champ. Rose also heads an elite travel program, the Long Island Yellow Jackets, with Farmingdale coach Tracy Wiener.

The Interview
Chris Antonacci: Do you think this season will be more of a challenge than the previous two for Northport?
Carol Rose: I think it is a definitely a challenge. Losing eight kids that went to Division I teams, it's not quite a rebuilding year, but we have to find the right pieces to the puzzle. I only have five returning staters, so I have to fill in the rest of the positions.

CA: Northport's boys and lacrosse programs have been considered among the best in Suffolk the past few seasons. Is there something in the water in Northport?
CR: I don't know. For the girls program in particular, the girls play club lacrosse. That is a big factor why my team is so strong. They play year- round. They keep a stick in their hand and that is a big factor in being successful during the season. It has been a tremendous help for the girls.

CA: So the fact that you and boys coach Bob Macaluso were named Newsday's Coach of the Year last season was a coincidence? yeah.
CR: It was a coincidence. I give credit to the community. We have a really strong PAL program and a lot of support from the school district. We have two middle school and two JV teams. I also think there are a lot of opportunities for girls lacrosse. A lot of girls are flocking to it. Due to the expansion of college programs, I think there is a lot of parity now in the girls game with Long Island and the Maryland game. A lot of colleges are looking at us a lot more in the past three years than they ever have before. Amy Appelt (Garden City) at Virginia is one of the best players in college right now and she is from the Island. It is important for kids to see that Long Island lacrosse is very strong.

CA: How does the composition of your team differ from the one last season?
CR: There is a big difference between my team from last year and this year. They had a lot of experience and leadership. They had played for three years. They built a great working unit. They loved playing the game. They had great chemistry. There are so many kids that can step in and play, we are still trying to find the right cohesiveness. We are doing very well in our league. We were a little shaky against Bethlehem on Saturday. Not having Emily Lawrence, that is like having a car without one wheel. I don't know how to put it. We don't even have the same starting lineup at each time. We have different kids are stepping up at different times. We are still looking for that balance to see what that lineup will be toward the end of the season.

CA: How would you describe Emily Lawrence in one word?
CR: Thoroughbred.

CA: How about Jill Byers in one word?
CR: Wow. Uh, Awesome.

CA: Wow would have been acceptable.
CR: That kid is awesome.

CA: How difficult is it for Jess Boccio to occupy the goalie position that Kristen Hordy occupied last season?
CR: It's very difficult to fill the shoes of a two-time All-American goalie. She makes the saves that she needs to make. We have to build a nice line of defense in front of her. She is the last line of defense. She made a great save in the Bethlehem game. We are very proud of her. She is stepping up.

CA: You have played Farmingdale in the past two Long Island Championships and could meet in a third. How would you describe that rivalry?
CR: I am not even looking that far ahead. Do they have the potential to get there? Yes. I am not even looking toward Farmingdale. Last year, we were looking at them right away. This year, we are looking forward to getting back to the county final and defending our title.

CA: Are you no longer irked that Bay Shore received the preseason top seed?
CR: That does not matter at all. There is a lot of parity within Suffolk lacrosse. Any team can win on any given day. Everyone has taken a loss except for Huntington. It is up for grabs this year.

CA: How do you think your team will respond from two one-goal losses this season, especially the one to Ward Melville early this season?
CR: It has made them very focused. They have worked very hard. It actually has been very good for us. It makes them want it that much more. When you go through the season without a loss, it makes it hard to keep everyone focused. The reason the scores have been lopsided, is because my team is hungry. Our motto is: Tradition never graduates. We are working on that.

CA: So many Long Island players are going to great colleges. Any reason for that?
CR: The kids are playing travel lacrosse and we are bringing them to tournaments. The college coaches like Long Island kids and their aggressiveness. They are feisty and they have a style of play. Travel lacrosse has opened up so many opportunities for young ladies in this game. I had three teams of senior kids for our travel team, the Yellow Jackets. There are 54 kids from there who are playing in college. It is the equivalent to Newsday's list.

CA: How long have you been involved with the program?
CR: I have been running the program for about four years.

CA: You run that league with Farmingdale coach Tracy Wiener. One of your biggest rivals is a close friend.
CR: We're best friends. It's a game. When the game is over, win, lose or draw, it doesn't matter. The kids know each other. They play each other all summer. We look forward to the summer travel season. It is not a big deal. There is nothing that would take away our friendship.

CA: Let's do a little word association.
CR: OK.

CA: Goggles.
CR: Protection.

CA: Kilt.
CR: Tradition.

CA: Bay Shore.
CR: Rival.

CA: Farmingdale.
CR: Tenacious.

CA: State title.
CR: That's awful. House of pain.