The spring season has arrived, and with it comes an exciting season of coverage in our 2026 reports. Peekskill Herald readers can expect in-depth reporting on flag football, girls lacrosse, boys lacrosse, softball, baseball, boys tennis, golf, and track and field.

To make sure you never miss our weekly Friday reports—featuring updates on former Sailors competing at the collegiate level—be sure to subscribe to our email list.

Flag Football

Hen Hud’s flag football team opened its 2026 season at home on Mar. 24 against traveling Lakeland.

Still carrying the weight of last year’s historic sectional title run, the Sailors quickly learned that this season would not come as easily as the last. Turnovers stalled drives, timing felt off, and the offense struggled to find its rhythm. By the time the fourth quarter arrived, Hen Hud trailed 26-0.

With 6:50 remaining, quarterback Nicole Facciolo connected with Jonna Rivera for the team’s first touchdown of the season — a small breakthrough on an otherwise difficult night. Kate Stratton provided a steady presence with six catches for 63 yards, while Rivera added two receptions for 15 yards and the score. On defense, Charlotte Gaspar and Marlee Picarello led the effort with four tackles and a pass defended apiece.

“We had way too many turnovers and didn’t play well on offense,” head coach Craig Solomon said.

For Solomon, this season carries extra meaning. After 32 years in the district as a physical education teacher and coach, he is set to retire at the end of the school year. He has been there since the beginning of Hen Hud’s flag football program in 2023 — and just one year ago, he guided the Sailors to the top.

The 2025 season remains the program’s benchmark: a 13-12 victory over Ardsley secured Hen Hud’s first Class C title, powered by standout performances from MVP Lucy Mager, Co-Defensive Player of the Year Sasha Lemus-Villeda, and leading receiver Kaitlyn Raguso. The Sailors advanced to the regional finals before falling to Owego Free Academy, 40-14, but the foundation had been set. Solomon was named Class C Coach of the Year.

Now, much of that core is gone. Mager and Raguso have graduated. Lemus-Villeda is sidelined for the season with an ACL injury. Of last year’s all-section standouts, only Stratton remains. The responsibility has shifted to a mix of returning players and a wave of newcomers.

And it is a wave.

This spring, Hen Hud’s program has grown to 45 athletes across varsity and a newly formed junior varsity team. Among them are one seventh grader and three eighth graders on the varsity roster — an unusual move, but one Solomon felt was necessary.

“The numbers in the program are exploding,” he said. “We didn’t want to cut anybody, especially the younger girls. You never know what they’re going to grow into.”

That growth is fueled by more than just opportunity. The sport’s accessibility, its rising popularity, and last year’s success have all contributed to the surge in interest.

“It gives girls another option in the spring,” Solomon said. “And I think our success last year certainly helped.”

Two days after the opening loss, Hen Hud showed just how quickly things can change.

Back at home on Mar. 26 — this time against Ardsley — the Sailors looked like a different team. With just 0:59 remaining in the first quarter, Maria Ribeiro hauled in a touchdown pass from Nicole Facciolo, then converted the extra point on a similar play. The offense flowed. The defense held firm.

Facciolo struck again in the second quarter, finding Charlotte Gaspar deep for another score. Kate Stratton added the extra point, slipping unnoticed into the end zone. Ribeiro returned in the third quarter with another touchdown, and Rachel Budde capped the night late in the period, sealing a 26-0 shutout. Facciolo finished with 138 passing yards. Defensively, Picarello led the way with seven tackles, while Arianna Byers recorded an interception.

It was the kind of performance that hinted at the team’s potential, and its growing confidence.

At quarterback, Facciolo is locked in competition with Christina Barry, both sophomores who gained valuable experience backing up Mager last season. Around them, a deep group of athletic playmakers is beginning to take shape.

Rivera, Stratton, Ribeiro, and Elizabeth Calabro serve as team captains, guiding a roster that blends youth with experience. Seniors Stratton, Rivera, Shayla Cachay, Antonia Cooper, and Picarello provide leadership, while players like Budde and Gaspar are emerging as key contributors.

There will be challenges ahead. Solomon knows that.

“We might hit a couple bumps in the road early just because of their youth and inexperience,” he said. “But I think once they settle in, we should be pretty competitive.”

The goal remains unchanged: contend for another sectional title. But this year’s journey will look different. It will rely less on proven stars and more on development, depth, and belief.

And for Solomon, it carries a deeper sense of pride.

“I’m just super proud that the program is growing,” he said, reflecting on the early days and the players who helped build it. “Now there are 45 girls playing, and I’m sure that number will continue to grow.”

Hen Hud (1-1) will next travel to Hastings High School on Monday, Apr. 6, to face the Hudson River Trailblazers at 4:30 p.m. If the opening week proved anything, this season will be a fun one for fans and players alike.

Girls Lacrosse

A new chapter has begun for the Hendrick Hudson girls lacrosse program — one defined not by veteran leadership, but by youth, potential, and the challenge of growing up fast.

Gone are last year’s captains, Kayla McCarthy, Gianna Gagliardi, Victoria Calabro, and Paige Montgomery, whose departures leave behind both a leadership void and an opportunity. In their place steps a young roster searching for identity, guided by a single returning star and a coach focused more on the future than the standings.

At the center of it all is junior midfielder Carleigh Ortiz.

Already committed to play Division I lacrosse at Manhattan University, Ortiz enters the season as both the team’s most experienced player and its emotional anchor. A dynamic, multi-sport athlete recently named to Lohud’s 2026 Elite 11 watch list, she is expected to do it all — push the pace, control the midfield, and lead by example.

“She may be young,” head coach Robert Porter said, “but she has the overall experience and the wherewithal to lead these girls. Her work ethic is very strong, and she puts 110% into everything she does.”

Porter, now in his third season, understands the task ahead. His 26-player roster includes no seniors, just four juniors, nine sophomores, nine freshmen, and even four middle schoolers.

“It’s going to be a new era for Hen Hud lacrosse,” Porter said. “We have a very young and inexperienced group. But with that being said, I think we have some extremely good talent that, with good coaching, is going to make an impact this year.”

That youth movement has already reshaped the structure of the program. For the first time in years, Hen Hud will not field a junior varsity team. Instead, every player will train and develop at the varsity level, allowing for more consistent coaching and greater opportunity.

Rather than splitting time between squads, Porter believes the unified approach will accelerate growth.

“We felt it was in the best interest of the program to develop these young girls,” he said. “They’ll get more reps, more stability, and more one-on-one coaching. Hopefully, we can revisit JV next year.”

While Ortiz leads the charge, she won’t be alone. Sophomore defenders Devyn Walsh and Bridget Couch are expected to shoulder much of the defensive responsibility, with Couch also contributing in the midfield. Junior Sophie Rivera is another key returner, poised to take a step forward and help steady the group.

The Sailors will also look to a wave of emerging talent. Avery Cody and Nora Devine are expected to take on larger offensive roles. Kinsley Steinhiser, a standout from the varsity girls soccer team, brings elite speed and athleticism that could translate into a midfield weapon as her stick skills develop.

“I’m pretty excited to see what they can do,” Porter said. “What they do outside of practice is really going to determine how quickly they grow.”

Early results have reflected both the promise and the growing pains.

In their season opener against Rondout Valley on Mar. 23, the Sailors fell behind 7-1 early but showed resilience, closing the gap to 7-5 by halftime before ultimately falling 12-7. Ortiz led the way with five goals, while Couch and Cody added to the scoring. Freshman Mandy Magliano recorded her first varsity assist, and goalkeeper Kelsey Wong made seven saves.

Two days later (Mar. 25), Hen Hud faced Nanuet and again leaned heavily on Ortiz, who scored six goals in a 14-8 loss. Couch added two more, and Wong stood strong in net with 14 saves.

Despite the 0-2 start, the focus remains firmly on development.

Porter has intentionally scheduled a more balanced slate this season, mixing winnable games with the challenge of a traditionally strong league. “I’m not overly concerned with wins and losses,” he said. “I really just want to see the development of the younger girls. We’ll take little successes as big steps forward.”

For a team with no seniors and so many unknowns, success won’t be measured solely on the scoreboard. It will be found in cleaner passes, stronger defensive stands, and the gradual emergence of a new core.

The Sailors return home on Mar. 27 to host Somers, still searching for their first win — but already laying the foundation for what they hope will be something much bigger.

Boys Lacrosse

After eight seasons at the helm, Troy Lepore has stepped down. In an email to the Peekskill Herald in Dec. 2025, Lepore explained that the recent arrival of his first child made the demands of leading a varsity team no longer feasible. By that same month, the program had already turned the page, appointing special education teacher and former junior varsity coach William Loftin as the new head coach of the Sailors.

Loftin inherits a roster in transition, but not without promise. “We are a young group but a lot of the players have years of experience,” he said. “We have a solid core of upperclassmen to help lead the younger players and help them transition to the varsity level.” That blend of youth and experience will define Hendrick Hudson’s season, as returning starters Richie Simonetti, Ethan Walsh, Billy Magliano, Aiden Roush, and Conor Butts anchor the lineup.

Magliano, now a junior, has already drawn attention beyond the program, earning a spot on Lohud’s 2026 Elite 11 watch list.

Still, Loftin’s challenge extends beyond returning veterans. A group of underclassmen is stepping into significant roles, including freshman goalie Tim Palmer, along with Vann Pastolove and Lucas Beloff, and sophomore DJ McCarty. Their development will be critical, particularly after the graduation of standout goalkeeper Aidan Mazzoni, a four-year starter and All-Section selection who recorded more than 500 saves during his career. The Sailors also lost key scoring contributors Dean Pastolove, Drew Hiltsley, and James McManus, leaving both leadership and production gaps to fill.

To guide the transition, Loftin will lean on captains Billy Magliano, Richie Simonetti, and Shawn O’Mara—players tasked with setting the tone for a team still finding its identity. He also emphasized the importance of his coaching staff, which includes Gerald Gentile, Rich Simonetti, and Sean McKim. “To have three additional staff is something not many teams have at this level,” Loftin said, noting their shared vision for the program’s future.

That vision goes beyond wins and losses. Loftin has outlined clear goals for his debut season: building cohesion among a young roster and earning a spot in the sectional playoffs. But just as important, he said, is establishing a culture rooted in communication, accountability, and resilience. “My role as the coach is not just to win games,” he said. “It’s to teach these young men skills to be successful off the field as well.”

The Sailors have even coined a motto to capture their approach: “Legally Nasty.” It’s a philosophy that emphasizes playing fast, physical, and smart — competing with intensity while staying within the rules. Loftin hopes that identity will make Hendrick Hudson a difficult opponent, one that forces every yard and every goal to be earned.

The season opened on Mar. 24 with a 14-6 home loss to Brewster. Vann Pastolove led the offense with two goals and two assists, while Lucas Beloff added two goals of his own. Ethan Walsh and Aiden Roush each scored once, and Chris Barreiros contributed four assists. In goal, freshman Tim Palmer had 16 saves, a bright spot in an otherwise tough opener.

Now 0-1, the Sailors will look to regroup quickly as they head on the road. They travel to the Bronx to face Cardinal Hayes on Saturday, Mar. 28, before taking on Haldane on Mar. 31. Both games will be played at 11 a.m.

Softball

New coach, no worries.

Hendrick Hudson opened the 2026 softball season in commanding fashion, rolling past Pleasantville with a dominant 13-1 road victory.

Leading the offensive charge was Bella Booth, who singled and blasted her first varsity home run, finishing with four RBIs. Angelina Carbone added a single and drove in two runs, while McKenna Silverman contributed two hits and two RBIs of her own.

The lineup stayed productive throughout the game. Lillien Tomlinson added an RBI, and Sophia Velardo chipped in with a hit and an RBI to round out the scoring effort.

In the circle, Emma Barbelet delivered five strong innings, allowing just three hits and one earned run while striking out 12.

This season, Hen Hud is led by veteran coach Dennis Wolownik, who brings 22 years of wrestling coaching experience. A special education teacher at Hendrick Hudson High School, Wolownik has also coached girls volleyball and both boys and girls lacrosse. While new to the program, he is no stranger to softball, having spent nearly seven years on the coaching staff of his daughters’ travel team.

Wolownik is joined on the staff by assistant Amy Glashoff and volunteer Rick Boyle. “I’m still getting to know the girls,” Wolownik said. “As much as they’re learning about me, I’m learning about them.”

He takes over for former head coach John Glasshoff, who led the Sailors to a standout 2025 season but did not return this year. Under Glasshoff, Hen Hud went 15-7, earned the No. 3 seed in the postseason, and reached the Class A sectional final, where they fell to Albertus Magnus, 3-2.

The team graduated seniors Kiely Morley and All-Section standout Janae Walker but returns a strong core. This year’s senior class includes All-Section pitcher Emma Barbelet, Emma Johannsen, and JJ Redmond. Barbelet and Johannsen will serve as team captains.

Wolownik said his early focus is understanding the program’s foundation.

“I’m going into a program that’s had success, especially making it to the sectional finals last year,” he said. “I’m not trying to come in and change everything. I want to learn what they’ve done, evaluate the talent, and build from there. We have a very strong returning team.”

When it comes to goals, Wolownik emphasizes both daily growth and postseason success.

“I break goals into two categories,” he said. “Daily goals are about getting better every day. Team goals are making a deep playoff run and hopefully competing for a sectional title.”

He also has a broader vision for the program’s future. “Long term, I want to help grow the love of softball in the community and get more girls involved at a young age,” he said. “Sports are becoming more travel-focused, and that’s just the direction things are going.”

Now 1-0, Hen Hud will host Brewster on Tuesday, March 31 at 11 a.m. at Frank G. Lindsey Field.

Boys Tennis

On Mar. 20, Hen Hud was scheduled to host Carmel but the match was cancelled due to rain. The Sailors returned to action on Mar. 24 with a dominant 7-0 victory over Walter Panas at home. Ezra Smith (8-2), Nicholas Gatto (8-0), and Benjamin Kushnir (8-2) led the way in singles play. In doubles, Jacob Markovitch and Adrian Szostak won 8-0, Niels Pfeiffer and Sebastien Cruz also posted an 8-0 win, and Noah Eichenholtz and Luke Conticello secured an 8-1 victory.

Two days later, on Mar. 26, Hen Hud fell 5-0 to Blind Brook at home. Smith delivered a strong performance at first singles, dropping the opening set 6-3 before responding with 7-6 and 7-5 wins, ultimately falling in a closely contested 11-9 tiebreaker to Blind Brook’s Bryce Hudesman.

The Sailors are led this season by head coach Bradley Fredman, who has guided Hen Hud’s tennis program for more than two decades.

This season, the team will compete under a new format against smaller schools, featuring two singles matches and three doubles, rather than the traditional three singles and four doubles. “It’s just a bit of an adjustment,” Fredman said. “I have a decent amount of depth talent-wise, so now we just have to figure out who our top eight are. We’ll probably rotate a bunch of guys because they’re all pretty strong.”

Fredman highlighted senior leaders Nicholas Gatto and Ezra Smith as key contributors. Both are six-year varsity players who will anchor first and second singles. “They’ve been around for a long time,” Fredman said. “They’ve played through a pandemic and bring a lot of experience. They’re really talented and put in a lot of work in the offseason, so they’re great role models for our younger players.”

The roster also includes promising underclassmen, including eighth graders Jacob Markovitch and Adrian Szostak, who earned All-League honors last season as third doubles players. “They’re going to do some heavy lifting this year,” Fredman said. “You can see they’ve improved physically — they’re stronger — and they give us a strong young core. We also have players from different grades who have put in the work and are ready to step up.”

As always, team success remains the top priority. “A league championship is always the goal,” Fredman said. “But it’s also about building community, especially after graduating a large senior class last year. We want to take pride in representing Hen Hud, support each other, and carry on what those seniors built.”

Over his tenure, Fredman has seen the program — and the sport — grow significantly. “Our interest is larger now than it’s ever been,” he said. “More students are trying out each year because they want to be part of something. Tennis is a lifetime sport that teaches so many lessons.”

Beyond coaching, Fredman is an adaptive physical education teacher and a strong advocate for inclusive athletics. He has helped expand adaptive tennis programs in Section 1, organizing clinics for athletes with special needs. His players regularly volunteer at these events, helping foster a broader tennis community.

“Inclusivity is what it’s all about,” Fredman said. “We want everyone to have an opportunity to play.”

He also supports unified sports, which bring together students with and without disabilities. This year, Hen Hud was named Unified School of the Year by the Special Olympics, an honor Fredman accepted alongside his colleagues.

After more than 20 years on the sidelines, Fredman shows no signs of slowing down. “I’m only getting faster,” he said.

The Sailors will now head into a week-long spring break before returning to the courts in early April.

Other News

Hen Hud Wrestlers Earn Postseason Honors

Hen Hud’s Rocco Carbone (118 pounds) and Sebastian Willkehr (150) have been named All-Section Division II wrestlers, while Shawn O’Mara Jr. (175) earned honorable mention.

Carbone and Willkehr each finished as runner-up in their weight classes at the Section 1 Division II championships in February. O’Mara Jr. had a strong season but was sidelined by injury before he could contend for a sectional title.

All three also earned honorable mention on Lohud’s 2026 Westchester/Putnam wrestling all-stars list, released March 19.