Alexa (Lexi) Lese and Lauren Kozemko have grown up together on the lacrosse field. They evolved from young girls learning to hold a stick into two of the most dominant players in Horseheads history.
The seniors, now both 18, have combined for more than 460 varsity points as they prepare to head off to Division I college programs on opposite sides of New York.
Before then, at least one more high school game remains.
Top-seeded Horseheads (12-3) will host second-seeded Vestal for the Section 4 Class B championship at 7 p.m. Friday, May 29. The Blue Raiders are seeking their first sectional title since a 16-7 win over Vestal in 2022, a season in which Kozemko came up to varsity as an eighth grader.
“Our goal is to make it to that regional game,” Kozemko said. “We want to play outside of our section, and I think that’s really special. It’s like a whole new world once you leave your section.”
Not surprisingly, Blue Raiders head coach Jennifer Guzylak had high praise for each in terms of effort, leadership and overall contributions. She said both have meant a tremendous amount to Horseheads girls lacrosse.
It says just as much that Horseheads girls basketball coach Andy Scott had similar accolades for both players even though they played limited minutes on that team, which made it to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class AA semifinals this year. Their effort and enthusiasm were key elements to Horseheads’ success.
That unwavering commitment has given Horseheads the luxury of having two impactful players doing their thing at the same time over four varsity seasons.
Both have contributed to summer camps at Horseheads and have set an example for younger players in multiple ways.
“Just the time and effort they’ve put in,” Guzylak said when asked what stands out about Lese and Kozemko. “All the extra hours they put in working hard, making themselves better to make our team better. Playing in the offseason on their travel teams.
“All of that extra time they’ve put in has really helped our program grow. We’re definitely better off for having both of them in our program.”
Raiders and Monsters
Lese and Kozemko came up together through Horseheads’ youth program and are teammates for Rochester-based Monster Elite Lacrosse.
“We just know where we’re going to be on the field and everything, and it’s always cool when we connect and finish,” Lese said. “It’s been great.”
Said Kozemko, “We help each other a lot, and it’s really cool to come from the same club team and also play for the same high school team. It really builds a relationship out there.”
They’re not alone in their strong bond. Horseheads has nine seniors on the roster, five of whom will play college lacrosse. Another senior, Kenzie Baker, will compete in track and cross country in college.
Guzylak said all nine will be greatly missed by the program, and they will also miss each other. Kozemko described players on the team as best friends. Horseheads took a team trip to a water park in Pennsylvania over spring break.
“This group is really special,” Kozemko said. “Getting to play with the same girls I’ve played with since I was little, since the first time I touched a stick, is really awesome. We all have gotten so close, and especially on the field I think that shows.”
Lese boasts supreme field vision
Lese, who has committed to Niagara University near Buffalo, has 263 career points on 156 goals and 107 assists. Her numbers this season are 21 goals and 35 assists.
Kozemko said Lese has an “awesome” lacrosse IQ.
“What’s really special is her ability to see the field,” Kozemko added. “You can look at her stats compared to anyone, she has the best eye of anyone out there, and she’s really good at finding those spots and hitting everyone for their goals.”
Guzylak said Horseheads knows that, when the ball is in Lese’s stick, good things are likely to happen. Lese calls out plays and is the catalyst for the offense.
“She’s making things happen out there,” Guzylak said.
Lese, who plays soccer in addition to hoops and lacrosse, is often facing an opponent’s top defender. If her own scoring chances are denied, she’s looking elsewhere.
“She’s great about working the ball around and making her teammates have those opportunities to score when she can’t have them,” Guzylak said.
Kozemko a two-way standout for the Raiders
Kozemko has committed to the University at Albany. She has earned a number of individual accolades, including fifth-team Class B all-state recognition last season at midfielder.
She has 159 career goals to go with 40 assists, leaving her one point shy of the 200-point mark. Kozemko has 41 goals and nine assists this season. She is also a stalwart on draw controls, with 61 this season and 147 for her career.
Guzylak said Kozemko is the team’s top defender, excelling in slowing foes’ drive from the top while being counted on to cover other teams’ top midfielders. Kozemko relishes that role in basketball as well, volunteering to defend all-state point guard Samantha Bonnell in practice.
“It’s not just about the goals,” Guzylak said. “That dynamic part everybody sees and reports on, but she also is dynamic on defense and winning the ball off the draw and all those other areas to be a great midfielder.”
Lese said Kozemko is a strong leader as well.
“She’s always hyping us up and making sure we’re feeling good about ourselves, and her dodging and her ability to get to the goal is just awesome,” Lese said. “Her finishing is top-notch.”
Opportunity knocking before college
The opportunity to earn a spot in the state tournament on home turf isn’t taken lightly.
“It’s super special being at home for a sectional game,” Lese said. “That just gives us more motivation to win and get the job done because that’s been our main goal this whole entire year. Getting to do it on our home stadium is going to be the cherry on top.”
Lese’s decision to play at Niagara was made in part because it includes some of the qualities of Horseheads. Lese said the team culture at Niagara is “awesome” and pointed to a strong community, teammates and coaches there.
Kozemko is looking forward to the talent that will surround her at Albany.
“Once you get to DI, everyone is there for a reason, and they’re there because they worked hard,” Kozemko said. “I think I’m most excited to be around everyone who’s so hard-working and dedicated.”
Niagara and Albany played each other this season, leaving a possibility of longtime teammates Lese and Kozemko meeting on opposite sides after years working together.
“It’s going to be great,” Lese said.
Said Kozemko, “That’s going to be a really cool experience.”
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This article originally appeared on Elmira Star-Gazette: Horseheads lacrosse stars eye title together before pursuing DI dreams
Reporting by Andrew Legare, Elmira Star-Gazette / Elmira Star-Gazette
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