The last home game for the East Hampton High School girls lacrosse team on May 12 included athletes of all ages. East End Lacrosse brought some of its elementary school girls to see their high school heroes, creating a lacrosse stick tunnel for the Bonac seniors to run through before their matchup against John Glenn. The Bonackers lost 20-7, but there were some special moments throughout, especially from Lola Eldridge, a junior captain who scored the 100th goal of her career.
Before the game, Joe DiGirolomo, the head coach, honored each of his eight graduating seniors, sharing their plans for the future and some of their favorite memories.
Lily Caplin, a two-year varsity defender, is heading to Yale University to study environmental sciences. “Over the past two years Lily has continued to develop her game and has become a mainstay on the defensive end,” DiGirolomo said. “Lily is as smart as they come, and always works as hard as she can without taking a play off.”
Cass Ceva, a four-year varsity attacker, will attend the University of Virginia in the fall, where she plans to study business marketing. “Each year Cass has continued to develop her game and work her way into a larger role, becoming a two-way player who helps solidify our team on both ends of the field,” DiGirolomo said. “Cass, you are an absolute joy to be around as you bring your relaxed vibe and sense of humor that keeps things light. Never change!”
Carly Fromm, a two-year varsity attacker, will be working toward her cosmetology license after high school. She wants to become a professional hairstylist, with the hope of one day opening her own salon. “Our favorite memory of Carly is from the Whitman game junior year, where she scored the game-winning goal — in overtime, as time expired,” DiGirolomo said. “What a memory!”
Katie Grande, a four-year varsity attacker, is going to Fairfield University, where she plans to study nursing and play club lacrosse. “Katie has improved each and every season and increased her point totals,” said DiGirolomo. “She has become a force as an attacker, racking up 33 goals and 15 assists so far this season. Katie is a coach’s dream, remaining coachable by always listening and wanting to work on her game.”
Clio Halweil, a two-year varsity attacker, will attend the University of California Santa Barbara next fall, where she will double-major in environmental studies and pre-psychology and brain sciences. “Clio is an absolute joy to have on our team, always smiling and supporting her teammates, as well as working on her game to get better over the past two seasons,” DiGirolomo said.
Abby Perello, a four-year varsity midfielder and team captain, is also going to U.C. Santa Barbara, where she will major in communications and play on the club lacrosse team. Abby’s sisters Grace and Lily — both Bonac alums — joined her on the field. She said she was beyond lucky to have been able to play on a team with both of them. “As Captain, Abby has been a great role model for hard work and sustained growth over the years, improving her point totals each year,” DiGirolomo said.
Hannah Salazar Sierra, a two-year varsity goalie, is heading overseas to the American University of Rome where she will study archaeology and classics with a minor in art history. “She often asks the coaches, ‘What are two things I can be working on?’ And she wants two things to work on, not just one,” said DiGirolomo. “This shows her incredible attention to detail and willingness to be coached with open ears. It definitely shows in her game as she is nearing 100 saves in just 20 games.”
Hailey Welsch, a four-year varsity defender and midfielder, and two-time team captain, is going to Clemson University, where she hopes to play club field hockey. “Since freshman year, Hailey has been a team-first type of player, always putting the team’s needs above her own wishes,” DiGirolomo said. “This type of attitude has enabled her to be recognized as a two-time Coach’s Award recipient.”
Last Thursday, the lacrosse team also played a dedication game in memory of Scarleth Milena Urgiles Samaniego, who was killed in a car accident in Springs last June. The 19-year-old junior had just joined the team as a goalie that season. There was a pregame fund-raiser in support of her family. In the most fitting tribute, Bonac beat Center Moriches 11-10 in the last four seconds of the game, with Salazar Sierra, East Hampton’s goalie, recording her 100th save.
