Commack's Caridi Helps Keep Seawolves in National Spotlight

This article was reported and written by Chrissy Sampson. It was posted by Amanda Lindner.

Last year, a torn ligament had Commack resident Frankie Caridi sitting out her team's conference championship lacrosse game against Albany, a game that ended in Albany's favor by two goals. This year, that was all Stony Brook allowed in the team's 9-2 regular-season win over Albany a few weeks ago.

"Watching the team struggle in the championship game was something I never wanted to see again," she said. "It was great for us to get back, take back what was ours."

The Stony Brook women's lacrosse team is once again staring straight at that conference championship game. At 4-0 in the conference (12-2 overall) in games through Saturday, the Seawolves have already clinched their spot in the championship and have their sights set on the NCAA tournament. And Caridi, the team's starting goalie throughout the season, is one of the players behind the team's successes.

According to NCAA statistics, Caridi leads the country in goals-against average (5.18) and is second in save percentage (.518). The junior goalie, a native of East Northport who graduated from Commack High School in 2010, has been named the conference's Defensive Player of the Week four times this season so far.

Caridi and the defense have allowed double-digits in scoring in just one game this year – and that happened against Florida, who was ranked the No. 3 team in the nation at the time. Against No. 1 Maryland, Stony Brook allowed eight goals – the fewest that team has scored in a single game this season.

The Seawolves are currently ranked the No. 10 team in the nation, according to both the coaches' and media polls. The ranking has had the effect of keeping the team focused, Caridi said.

"We have to keep climbing but not let it get to our heads," she said. "We keep it in perspective that as fast as it comes, it can go, so we just have to keep our heads in it."

She was one of a handful of players who started their careers at Division II lacrosse powerhouse Adelphi and later transferred when former Adelphi head coach Joe Spallina arrived at Stony Brook. 

"She’s somebody who can take a game over and who we’re going to lean on heavily down the stretch," Spallina said. "...She’s a difference maker. There are few goalies that play at her level when she’s been on, which has been evident this year so far."

Caridi said she puts team goals first.

"My personal goals are just to play the best I can every game, but it’s more about the team goals, which is to climb the rankings and limit [teams] to as few goals as we can," Caridi said. "Obviously that doesn’t happen unless everyone else on the field plays their best, which they do."

According to Caridi, this season is shaping up to be a great one.

"We set goals for ourselves and we keep achieving those goals, which means they really are realistic," she said. "We can continue to grow from here as a whole and as a program."