LI Lacrosse Journal
#2 Massapequa Chiefs Season Preview
“8-5, 8-5,” The score of both Long Island Championship losses to Ward Melville. Word has it, Massapequa Assistant Coach, Mike Powers, has “8-5” as his screensaver as an incessant and painful reminder of how close the Chiefs have been the past two seasons. Coming off a tough loss in the 2018 Long Island Championship to Suffolk County foe Ward Melville, who went on to win the New York State Championship in Class A, “Pequa” is ready to prove to the world that they are a force to be reckoned with in 2019.
#1 Garden City Trojans Season Preview
Why are Garden City athletics always competitive? If you ask Head Coach Steve Finnell, the answer is simple, “we love to compete.” Passion fuels amateur athletes to do great things. For the Trojans of Garden City, they don’t let their competitive embers fade in lacrosse’s ‘off-season,’ instead, they fuel them by playing and competing in something else. The Garden City’s Football team is a prime example. This past Fall, they won a Long Island Championship with a roster full of lacrosse players.
Play Like a B’ee
Carol Rose has the most wins out of any high school girls lacrosse coach in New York State history. Approaching her 30th season at the helm of Northport High School, she sits at the top with 409 wins, and we’re still counting. In a recent interview with Coach Rose, she was asked about how it feels to have so many wins, she replied, “It feels good. It was definitely a bucket list of mine.” What’s most impressive, as time goes on, her passion grows, her love for coaching deepens, and her program(s) just keep getting better.
Honoring Welles Crowther “The Man in the Red Bandana” at the NYSRC
“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).” The Red Bandana, a symbol of the purist form of love and compassion. Welles Crowther was a true example of this. Native of Nyack NY, Welles grew up playing sports and hanging out with his friends. Whether it was on the street, in the classroom, or on the field, Welles was always willing to lend a helping hand. When he was 16 years old, he joined the local fire department as a junior firefighter. Given to him by his father, the Red Bandana became a part of him. He carried it everywhere. In college, Welles was a star athlete, ripping it up on the lacrosse field. He possessed all the intangibles a coach wants in his players, and his teammates respected him for that. The people he met and experiences he had all shaped him into the man he was, preparing him for the toughest day of his life.
New York State Regional Championships – The Preliminary Tryout Round
The New York State Regional Championships is a new event that is and will be a great opportunity for New York State High School lacrosse players to represent their region, Nassau, Suffolk, Parochial, NYC, Hudson Valley, Adirondack, Central or Western, and compete for a State Championship to see what region has the best lacrosse players in New York State. Eligibility for the event requires players to be a resident in NYS from the graduating classes of 2022 through 2019.
Middle Country v. West Islip ‘Tension in Newfield’ PREVIEW
With similar records on the year as well as similar successes, the Lioness’s over as West Islip (8-3) will travel to Middle Country (8-3), for a 7:00 pm night game on May 9th. Emotions will be running high as this is the Wolverines Senior Day. It’s tough to say who will win this game based on their record as both teams have had major success as well as key losses. Both teams have losses to Ward Melville and Northport however Middle Country beat Smithtown West and lost to Riverhead, while West Islip beat Riverhead and lost to Smithtown West. I think this game will come down the experience and playing in the moment. Both teams have strong upperclassmen that possess the ability to make plays when called upon. Can MC defend their turf on Senior Night? Or will the West I’s pride claim victory? Find out tonight!
Cold Spring Harbor vs. North Shore PREVIEW
On May 7th, the Seahawks over at Cold Spring Harbor High School will travel to North Shore to battle the Lady Vikings. This game will prove to be a thriller as both teams are strong competitors in Nassau Power Conference 1. Picking up yet another victory against Port Washington, the lady laxers of Cold Spring Harbor have had a very successful season thus far, with a 11- 2 record on the year, 6-2 in conference. North Shore, who has been battling all year, suffering some close game losses is 7-6 on the year, 3-6 in conference. Putting the score column aside both teams have a plethora of talent.
Smithtown West vs. Smithtown East “East v. West” PREVIEW
A crosstown rival, the lady laxers over at Smithtown East will travel to Smithtown West on May 2nd to battle for bragging rights in the streets. Sitting at LI Lax Journal preseason poll seeds #8 and #11, with West at the forefront and the better record at 7-3. Going into this game, West may have the upperhand, however this game will prove to be a great contest, as emotions will be running high being that it is a rivalry game. Who will be the stronger Bull?
The Setauket Squabble – Ward Melville v. Northport PREVIEW
Two Storied Girls Lacrosse Programs will battle it out next Tuesday, April 24th @ Ward Melville High School. The Northport Tigers head east to Setauket to take on the Ward Melville Patriots. Both Class A teams come into the contest undefeated with 7 -0 records.
When interviewing the coaches; Coach Carol Rose of Northport & Coach Kerri Kilkenny of Ward Melville for the Long Island Lacrosse Journal, both coaches were asked what game should FLG Cover for the String King Game of the Week. Both coaches said Ward Melville & Northport respectively. This is game you won’t want to miss.
