The goal of FLG’s Long Island Lacrosse Journal is to promote the sport of the lacrosse on Long Island. The LI Lax Journal will include team previews, coach interviews, rankings, top players, and much more. Follow FLG Lacrosse this Spring to get inside access to what’s happening in the world of lacrosse on Long Island!
Cold Spring Harbor 2017 Season Preview
Cold Spring Harbor High School
Mascot: Seahawks
Nassau Class C
Ranking: 1st
Cold Spring Harbor was a close favorite as the best HS boys team in Nassau County. The Seahawks lhope to compete for a 3rd straight State Championship!
The Cold Spring Harbor Seahawks have a target on their back as they go into the 2017 season trying to become state champs for the third time in a row. Filled with talent and experience anything less than a county championship would be an utter disappointment. With all the winning that’s been going on over the past few years, it’s safe to say that the Seahawks are the team to beat in the league. They are led by an outstanding and extremely talented senior class that includes Dylan Guarneri (Manhattan Commit), Ian Laviano (UVA Commit), Matt Licciardi (Cornell Commit), and Taylor Strough (Fairfield Commit). All four of these guys are expected to have monster years as they try to end their Senior years on a good note.
“It’s not about me, it’s about us.” -Dennis Bonn, Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach
Matt Licciardi (Left) is one of the best all-around midfielders on Long Island. Will he lead CSH to another State Championship? Matt will be attending Cornell after his senior season.
Key Losses:
- Riley Cox – Loyola
- Eddie Fox – SMU Club
- Dylan Burdo (Goalie) – Bowdoin
- Mason Marion – Gettysburg
- James Kessler – Lincoln Memorial
- Michael Visconti
4 Key Returners:
- Dylan Guarneri, 4-year varsity player, 3-year starter, Manhattan next year, Leader, Captain of the football team and All-county football player, Team Captain
- Ian Laviano – 5-year varsity player, Starter, Committed to Virginia, 200 Career Points, First Varsity game was in 8th grade and had 37 points that season, Plays hockey in the winter. High IQ. Does a little of everything, Team Captain
- Matt Licciardi – 4-year varsity, Captain and 3-year starter, Committed to Cornell, Point Guard on the Basketball Team. Like a point guard on the field, Team Captain
- Taylor Strough – 5-year varsity player, Committed to Fairfield, Plays Basketball as well, Plays most of the game if not all, Team Captain
Key Games:
- @ Syosset – 3/28/17 (Out of League)
- @ South Side – 3/31/17 (Out of League)
- Vs. Locust Valley – 4/28/17
Locust Valley 2017 Season Preview
Locust Valley
Mascot: Falcons
Nassau Class C
Rating: 2nd
This year for the Falcons it’s all about growing these kids into young men. As coach Tommy Susko said, “Our boys need to know that lacrosse isn’t everything. They need to develop as leaders, their attitudes, and learn to work hard”. But with that mindset in the forefront, it’s safe to say that Locust Valley will still be gunning for a shot to win a County Championship. Every guy on this team expects to win and keep this program going in a positive direction.
“I want to prepare our guys for what’s next. If you’re a sophomore, than it’s becoming a junior. If you’re a senior it’s college. As long as our players bring the two things they can control, attitude and effort, each and every day, our season will be a success.” Tommy Susko, Head Coach
Angelo Caiazzo will lead the Falcons under a new regime. After what hopes to be a successful senior season, Angelo will play for the Jaspers of Manhattan College next Fall.
Key Losses:
- Owen Trepeta, Hartford
- Tyler Liantonio, Merrimack
- Madson Brothers, St. John’s
- John Pedranghelu, LIU Post
- Reed Tansill, Hobart, Walk-on
Key Returners:
- Cooper Trepeta, Sophomore, Middie, Hofstra Commit
- Angelo Caiazzo, Senior, Midfield, Manhattan Commit
- Cole Barnard, Senior, Middie, Fairfield Commit
- Francesco Anile, Senior, Defense, Colby Commit
- Colton Teitelbaum, Sophomore, Goalie, Loyola Commit
Key Games:
- Home vs Port Washington – 3/25/17
- Home vs Lynbrook 4/22/17
- Away @ Cold Spring Harbor – 4/28/17
- Home vs North Shore – 4/06/17
North Shore Season Preview
North Shore High School
Mascot: Vikings
Nassau Class C
Rating: 3rd
With the season closing in, the North Shore Vikings are looking to make a push in the difficult Nassau Class C. With Cold Spring Harbor at the top of the class, it will be a tough ride for the Vikings as they try to surpass the red hot Seahawks. However, with a hole at the goalie position and an inexperienced offense, it will be a wave to sail. With an early exit in the playoffs last year the Vikings hope that this year they can at least try to compete for a Class C Nassau county championship.
“With Aughavin being our biggest threat this year it’s a great opportunity for other guys to step up and prove their worth.” -Aaron Kozlowski, Head Coach – North Shore
Ryan Aughavin is speedy, do-it-all middle. Ryan hopes to step up against a challenging Nassau Class C schedule. Ryan will be heading to Brown in the Fall.
Key Losses:
- John Delio
- Matt Baldich
Key Returners:
- Ryan Aughavin, Senior, Midfield, Committed to Brown, All-County.
- Liam Knehr, Senior Attackman, St. Rose Commit, Lefty Attackman.
- Andrew Kahn, Senior Attackman
- Steve Graber, Faceoff , Sophomore, Older brother is the captain up at Army, oldest brother played at Colgate.
Key Games:
- Vs. Port Washington – 4/13/17
- Vs. Lynbrook – 4/19/17
- Vs. Cold Spring Harbor – 4/22/17
- @ Locust Valley – 5/6/17
Lynbrook 2017 Season Preview
Lynbrook
Mascot: Owls
Nassau Class C
Rating: 4th
The Lynbrook Owls come into this year as a middle of the road team with no break-out studs or big D1 commits. However, the goals don’t change and that’s making it to the playoffs and competing for a county championship. The best way to describe this year’s team is a mix of guys that have experience meshed with some fresh faces. But nothing will come easily as the Owls play Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, and Locust Valley all on the road. It is most certainly going to be a grind this year if the Owls want to have a shot at playing for a County Championship.
“This year, we’ll be looking to play different styles of defense. I’m really hoping the guys can mature quickly. With our program, it’s all about the brotherhood. We insist our boys hang out off the field too. We want our guys to become lifelong friends.” -Bill Leighley, Head Coach Lynbrook
Eddie Perlstein is great between the lines. He will be the key to getting possessions throughout the season, especially against Licciardi and his top-seeded Seahawks. Eddie will be heading to Rutgers in the Fall.
Key Losses
- Zach Barrett, Binghamton, Defenseman
- Zach Locicero, Quinnipiac, Midfield
- Ryan Candel, Attackman, Denison to Nassau
- Joey Virgona, Midfielder, Pace
- Quentin Herrmann, Defense, Alabama Student
Key Returners
- Nick Paris, Hobart Commit, Defenseman
- Eddie Perlstein, Rutgers Commit, Face-Off Middie
- Kyle Yager, Oneonta Commit, Attack
- Tom Urena, Junior, Defense
- Ian Proefriedt, Senior, Goalie
- Sean Barrett, Sophomore, Midfield
- Jack Fagen, Sophomore, Midfield
- Joe DeMonte, Sophomore, Defense
- Johnny Dibenedetto, Sophomore, LSM
Key Games:
- Home vs Farmingdale – 3/21/17
- Away @ North Shore – 4/19/17
- Away @ Locust Valley 4/22/17
- Away @ Cold Spring Harbor – 5/10/17
