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Senior members of the 2015 Pittston Area lacrosse team are, from left, front, Rebecca Linko. Back row, Claudia Shandra, Abigail Rodriguez, Nicole Walters, Sydney Ralston and Elaina Menichelli.

Pittston Area’s Dana Zalewski catches a pass behind the net Thursday in Hughestown.

Pittston Area’s Haley Norwillo, right, puts the Patriots on the board with a goal as Lake-Lehman’s Sam Spencer, left, and Katie Strohl defend Thursday in Hughestown.

Pittston Area’s Lucia Menichelli-Bates, right, moved the ball up field as Lake-Lehman’s Carey-Ann Keiper defends Thursday in Hughestown.

For two straight years, Pittston Area’s girls lacrosse program has suffered through two-win seasons. However, the Patriots bring back a plethora of experienced players ready to take the program to the next level.

The Patriots have a new leader — the team’s second coach in three years. Leigha Dolcemascolo, a 2010 graduate of Delaware Valley and a former lacrosse goalie for Marywood University will take over the team.

“It’s really exciting,” she said. “The fact that I’m able to pick up a program that is fairly new is unbelievably exciting. The girls are very welcoming and very accommodating.”

The connections between Pittston Area and Dolcemascolo go a little deeper than just being named the new coach.

Dolcemascolo grew up in Milford, and attended Delaware Valley. In last year’s Pennsylvania Interscolastic Athletic Association District 2 Class AAA playoffs, the Warriors stung Pittston Area to the tune of 21-6. DelVal has been a lacrosse powerhouse for the past several seasons, dating back to when Dolcemascolo was there.

Now, the new hiring at Pittston Area has sparked a rivalry.

“I want to beat DelVal,” Dolcemascolo said. “It’s probably going to be a very difficult task. It has our kids pumped. ‘Let’s beat DelVal,’ they keep on saying. It’s exciting.”

The Patriots lost Sara Ruby to graduation last season. Ruby was the Patriots’ best offensive weapon. In the loss to DelVal in the district playoffs, she finished with three goals. Also adding three goals in that game was Haley Norwillo.

Norwillo, a junior midfielder, is part of a host of Patriots that will be back for the 2015 season. Pittston Area is blessed with a big junior class, which includes key returners Dana Zalewski, Kayla Williams, Laura Singleton, Rachel Ferrence, Taylor Levandoski, Bianca Mattie-Miller, Anna McDermott, Lucia Menichelli-Bates and Alyssa Neare.

“The junior class in general seems to be very strong and wanting to hold down everything,” Dolcemascolo said. “Every class has their own roles on the team. We definitely have a lot of untapped potential.”

The Patriots will rely on a senior, however, to man the net.

Nicole Walters, who saw significant time last season for Pittston Area, will lead a team that Dolcemascolo said will be defensive-minded.

“She’s going to be a great goalie for us,” Dolcemascolo said. “She’s been doing so well in practice.”

Seniors Elaina Menichelli and Sydney Ralston round out the list of notable Pittston Area returners.

With the program still in its infancy, Pittston Area’s offseason must include getting back to the basics. Sometimes, Dolcemascolo said, the team has to go all the way back to the beginning. But with a group of experienced players now, the Patriots will have an opportunity to improve.

“We’ve been focusing on the basics,” Dolcemascolo said. “They’ve been picking it up very quickly. Some of them are already very strong with the ball and able to run. We’ll be focusing on defending and strengthening that.”

Dolcemascolo is hoping the Patriots can eclipse their previous win totals and set a new mark for the school. But one thing she has already received from the players is a family environment.

“I definitely want the girls to win,” she said. “I want them to build on last year. When I got here they didn’t seem to get along so well. Now they seem like a family.”

Crestwood 25, Pittston Area 3

Haley Norwillo scored two goals for Pittston Area as Crestwood got the win on Monday in Hughestown.

Daniella Callaghan scored nine goals and dished out two assists as Crestwood cruised past the Patriots. Lizzy Dessoye finished with seven goals and two assists, while Hannah Ackers scored four goals and Abby Zaleppa made 10 saves for the Comets.

Lake-Lehman 18, Pittston Area 4

Pittston Area got four goals from four different players, but it wasn’t enough to take down Lake-Lehman Monday in Hughestown.

Haley Norwillo, Dana Zalewski, Bianca Mattei-Miller and Rachel Ferrance each score for the Patriots. Zalewski added an assists. Pittston Area was outshot 46-10. Keeper Nicole Walters made 22 saves for Pittston Area – 13 coming in the second half.

Pittston Area travels to Delaware Valley on Monday, April 6.