College Signings 13: These Petrides girls’ lacrosse student-athletes are locked and loaded for the next level

The Petrides’ girls’ lacrosse team enjoyed a fine season in 2024, not only boasting a respectful 10-3 record in PSAL play, but a fourth place finish in the highly competitive PSAL 2A-AA division.

Good teams usually come with solid players and you can certainly make that case about four student-athletes who recently graduated from the Sunnyside school.

In fact, those four players are being prominently featured in College Signings 13 this week. One of the four Panthers will be attending a Division 1 school while the other three players will be matriculating on D3 campuses.

To boot, two of the teammates have opted to attend the same New Jersey school.

For a closer look at where the latest signees will attend, please scroll down.

The Advance/SILive.com will once again share past signings from the current school year at the bottom as well. Give another look at those as well, if you wish.

Victoria Balder-Velez, Petrides

Petrides' Victoria Balder-Velez, seated, is joined by her mom, Selicitas Velez, as she makes her commitment to Fairleigh Dickerson-Madison official. (Courtesy of Petrides athletics)Courtesy of Petrides athletics

Victoria Balder-Velez never intended to continue her lacrosse career at the collegiate level, but as fate would have it, she decided to sign up on the recruiting platform Next College Student Athlete (NCSA) and see what happens.

To her surprise, she generated a considerable amount of interest and all of the sudden, playing collegiately was on the table.

“It really did surprise me — I didn’t expect a call back,’' added the 18-year-old Balder-Velez, who played for the Panthers during each of her four years.

Balder-Velez, however, did receive a call back from Fairleigh Dickerson University-Madison head coach Rosamaria Riccobono and recently, she agreed to play for the D3 Devils the next four years.

“(NCSA) asks for information and once (FDU-Madison) contacted me, I sent them two videos of me playing and although it took a while for them to get back, they eventually did and I went for a visit,’' explained Balder-Velez, who plays travel for DK3 Academy. “They offered me a spot on the team.

“There was a time I didn’t think I’d get anywhere playing lacrosse,’' admitted the defenseman. “But I decided to take a chance and I got an offer. Again, I’m really surprised, but grateful for it and looking forward for the opportunity.’'

Balder-Velez, who’s a Dongan Hills resident, said Riccobono gave her collegiate workouts that will get her through the end of August. She said once she gets settled at school in the early fall, she’ll play a fall season that includes practice and a tourney.

Balder-Velez, who is planning to play on defense with the Devils, is planning to major in International Business. She also received interest from New England College and Wells College.

Maya Henri, Petrides

Petrides' Maya Henri, seated, is joined, left to right, by dad Michael, brother Troy and mom Howeida, after making her commitment to Fairleigh Dickerson University-Madison official. (Courtesy of Petrides athletics)Courtesy of Petrides athletics

Petrides’ midfielder Maya Henri was playing travel lacrosse for DK3 Academy in either Delaware or Pennsylvania when she caught the eye of Fairleigh Dickerson University-Madison’s women’s lacrosse head coach.

Henri, mind you, already was seriously considering to attend the Division 3 New Jersey school and decided to send the coach an email.

“I originally emailed the previous coach, who told me she was leaving and I then reached out to the current coach (Mariarosa Riccobono),’' explained Henri. “I sent her film. She eventually came to some of my high school games and liked what she saw.’'

Henri, who is enrolled in FDU-Madison’s 4+1 Degree Program, recently agreed to join the Devils’ program while she continues to impress in the sport she only started playing three years ago.

The West Brighton resident was originally a softball player, but she decided to switch gears during her sophomore year.

“I played softball for 13 years and hoped to one day play in college, but Petrides shut down the program and I was aked to start playing lacrosse,’' she said. “I had no idea about the sport, but decided to give it a try and now, I want to take it to the next level and I’m very excited about it.’'

Henri played defense during her first two seasons, but she was switched to midfielder for her senior year and she responded in a big way after registering a whopping 41 goals on 77 shots and adding 10 assists.

“(Riccobono) mainly talked about how hard-working I am. She knew i was a three-sport athlete and that I have a good work ethic,’' said the 18-year-old Henri. “She thinks I can bring a lot to the team on and off the field.

“She believes in me and I’m very happy that she believes in me.’'

Henri is planning to major in Business Marketing and do a minor in Sports Management. She also received interest from Kean, SUNY-New Paltz and Arcadia.

Samantha Ricks, Petrides

Petrides' Samantha Ricks, seated, is joined by her dad, Calvin Cress, after making her commitment to Mount St. Vincent University's women's lacrosse team official. (Courtesy of Petrides Athletics)Courtesy of Petrides athletics

It all happened quite quickly for Petrides’ lacrosse player Samantha Ricks.

The Stapleton resident, who only competed for the Panthers for first time this past spring, was playing travel for DK3 Academy in Delaware last summer when members of Mount St. Vincent University’s (MSVU) coaching staff felt compelled to contact Ricks.

“They showed interest and I went to visit the school last August,’' Ricks said. “I really liked it — that was my first impression.

“Since I started playing in high school, it’s been a goal of mine to play in college,’' she admitted. “I didn’t want to stop playing and I’m very excited about getting the opportunity.’'

Ricks, in fact, recently made her commitment to MSVU of the Bronx official.

Ricks’ one and only season on Petrides’ lacrosse team paid immediate dividends as she scored 26 goals and added six assists.

That obviously caught the attention of MSVU head coach Meaghan Smith.

“The biggest thing with (coach Smith) is, she really likes my willingness and desire to score,’' said Ricks. “She likes my competitiveness. That made me feel great, knowing that she believes I can be an asset.’'

The 18-year-old Ricks is planning to major in Biology. She also received interest from Kean, FDU-Madison and Caldwell.

Isabel Silva, Petrides

Petrides' Isabel Silva — Isabel Silva recorded six goals and three assists for Petrides during the 2024 lacrosse season. She's decided to play collegiately beginning next fall. (Courtesy of Petrides athletics)Courtesy of Petrides athletics

Isabel Silva went through the common practice of reaching out to several schools to satisfy her quest to continue playing lacrosse at the next level.

The Petrides senior contacted Division 1 Central Connecticut State University along the way and the Blue Devils’ coaching staff eventually go back to her.

“They wanted to see how I played, so I sent them film and I went for a visit where I got a tour of the school, saw them practice and lift (weights) and I was impressed,’' said the 18-year-old. “They loved me and my playing style and offered me a spot in mid-April.’'

Silva will now call CCSU home for the next four years.

“It’s a dream come true, but honestly, it’s crazy to me,’' she said matter-of-factly. “I didn’t start playing until my junior year and a lot of the girls I’ve played with or against started playing when they were 5-years-old.

“But by the time my senior year came, I had picked up (the game) pretty good and I played hard. To get an offer from a Division 1 program is amazing.’'

Silva, who tallied 11 times and added three helpers during the course of her two seasons with the Panthers, is looking forward to playing for head coach Betsy Vendel.

“She thinks I can help and I’ll do anything to help the team,’' said the Park Hill resident. “She calmed me down and told me, if there’s anything I don’t know or need to work on, she’s going to help me like a coach should and I appreciate it.

“That made me feel better and I’m looking forward to the challenge.’'

Silva, who is planning to major in Pre-Nursing, also received interest from FDU-Madison.

*****

Other recent college signings by Charlie De Biase Jr.

Tottenville’s Anthony Esposito (X-C, track & field)

St. Peter’s Qadir Martin (basketball)

CSI/McCown’s Keegan Baluja (XC, track)

Port Richmond’s Madison Gigliello (bowling)

Moore Catholic’s Boakai Veikai (football)

Moore Catholic’s Matthias Lighten (football)

Monsignor Farrell’s Cristian Pinto (football)

Sea’s Anthony Catalano (baseball)