In 2009, Oyster Bay High School added lacrosse to their athletic program with a seventh- and eighth-grade team. By 2011, the first program had grown to include a junior varsity team as well as a middle school team. In 2013, OBHS supported their first varsity team.
The very first goal of the first varsity game was scored by Vanessa Yu, who was a freshman at the time. Two years later, Yu has proven that her first goal was not a fluke. After two seasons of performing at a top level, Yu, now a junior, has made a commitment to play Division I lacrosse for the University of Michigan after she graduates from OBHS in 2016.
Yu plans on studying either business or science at U of M. While at Oyster Bay High School, Yu is a member of the varsity soccer team and runs winter track. She is a member of the National Honor Society, the International Club, the Student Athletic Leadership program and the Interact community service club.
Last season, in just their second year in the league, the girls’ varsity lacrosse team went all the way to the County finals. Two other players have also committed to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level.
OBHS Senior Emma Devereaux has made a commitment to play Division III lacrosse at Savannah College of Art and Design next year. Devereaux plans on studying photography at college. While at Oyster Bay High School, Devereaux is a member of the varsity soccer team and runs winter track. She serves as editor-in-chief of the yearbook and is the vice president of the Art Honor Society.
Devereaux is also a member of the National Honor Society, the Tri-M Honor Society, the Student Athletic Leadership program, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and the Quill and Scroll Honor Society.
OBHS Senior Nicki Stanco joins her teammates in making a commitment to play lacrosse at the collegiate level. She will be playing for Adelphi University next year. Stanco plans on studying physical therapy at Adelphi.
Stanco plays volleyball and is a member of the defending Nassau County Champion varsity basketball team. She is also a member of the National Honor Society and involved in SADD.
Oyster Bay High School physical education teacher Charles Rizzuto was instrumental in bringing lacrosse to Oyster Bay-East Norwich. His dedication and enthusiasm as head coach created an environment which allowed the girls to flourish and excel right out of the gate.
“I am very happy for Nicki, Emma and Vanessa,” said Rizzuto. “Playing lacrosse in college was a goal they all had and they worked really hard to achieve that goal. All of the athletes on our team contribute to the team’s overall success in their own way and these girls are no different. Nicki has the ability to be one of the best defenders around. She can shut down opposing dodgers and is an instant threat in transition. Emma does a great job taking the majority of our draws, which is a huge part of team success. In addition, she acts as an integral part of our team on defense playing dodgers and taking away passing lanes. Vanessa is a junior midfielder who attacks the goal extremely well. Her speed and stick skills make her a very difficult match up for any one defender to handle on her own. All three of these girls will experience great success at the next level.”
