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.
Cross Town Quandary – Commack vs. Northport PREVIEW
Neighboring towns, Commack and Northport will face it off on April 18th at Northport High School. Sitting at LI Lax Journal Preseason Poll #11 and #12 respectively, these two teams have been battling it out all year, trying to make their campaign as forces to be reckoned with in 2018. This games winner will be decided by whose Senior class is more determined to come out on top. Both squads return strong cores who are willing to go the extra mile for their teammates.
Straight A’s – Long Beach vs. Syosset PREVIEW
Preseason ranked number 6 and 7 respectively in the Nassau County coaches preseason poll, the Syosset Braves will travel from the North Shore down to the southern waters of Long Beach to face off against the Mariners on Saturday April 14th.
Class C Crusade: Mt. Sinai vs. Bayport Blue Point
On April 20th, Mt. Sinai will travel to Bayport Blue Point for an all out war, to determine who rules Suffolk County Class C. The last time BBP was able to claim victory against the Mustangs was in 2014, the County Final game. However for the past three seasons, Mt. Sinai has been crowned ruler of New York State Class C, winning three consecutive Championships. Who will have the edge in 2018?
“Clear eyes and full hearts don’t lose,” the Mt. Sinai Mustangs go into every game ready to battle. A “warrior” attitude, Coach Bertolone prepares his girls to fight with grit, never surrendering. “The perfect storm,” Mt. Sinai returns a heavy starting lineup including attack trio sr. Meaghan Tyrrell (Syracuse), sr. Camryn Harloff (Stony Brook) and jr. Morgan Mitchell (Stony Brook), defensive duo sr. Meaghan Scaturo (Notre Dame) and sr. Kirsten Scaturo (Notre Dame) and midfield standout jr. Emma Tyrell (Syracuse).
Up for the challenge, the Phantom’s of Bayport Blue Point look to scare opponents off the field. With a great start to the season, they are once again ready to face another challenging opponent. A mix of talent in all ages, BBP is led by seniors Courtney Weeks (BC), Cassidy Weeks (BC), and Katelyn Eames (High Point), with contributors including juniors Madison Grazidei, Brooke Sparacio (Quinnipiac) and Meghan Pickel (Stony Brook) and sophomores Madison Waters (USC) and Ailish Kelly. This is a squad that is all about preparing and dissecting teams. Coach Gick wants his girls to “understand situations,” and be able to make adjustments on the fly in order to give his squad the upper hand.
A long lasting battle, this Class C Crusade will prove to be a glorious game. Although BBP is extremely talented, starting with the Weeks sisters, I believe the Mustangs will have the upper hand, as this is a squad that is very senior heavy as well as extremely experienced in big time games.
Crosstown Quandary: Commack vs. Northport
Neighboring towns, Commack and Northport will face it off on April 18th at Veterans Park. Sitting at LI Lax Journal Preseason Poll #11 and #12 respectively, these two teams have been battling it out all year, trying to make their campaign as forces to be reckoned with in 2018. This games winner will be decided by whose Senior class is more determined to come out on top. Both squads return strong cores who are willing to go the extra mile for their teammates.
FLG Spring Training RECAP #4
Hey All,
Last Sunday was the 1st ‘somewhat’ Spring Day. The sun was out, the weather started to warm, the air was calm, and the ball was flying around. It was a super productive day on all fronts. Personally, I thought it was the most productive FLG Training session since the teams had their first training session in September of 2017. From Small Group Training to practice, all our teams & participants training looked great.
Below is a RECAP of Sunday’s Spring Training. We focused on a ton of skills and implemented some great drills. If you have questions on anything we do, don’t hesitate to reach out! I’ve gotten some great calls and answered some great questions as it relates to youth training.
Good luck to everyone in their PAL games this Sunday as well!
See everyone on the fields,
Corey
Boys
Ground Ball Stations: 2, five minute stations focusing on 2 different types of ground balls, Man-Ball & Boxing Out. 2v1 GB’s is a classic GB drill that works on man-ball. Advantage box out is a classic GB drill where players start back to back with a ball between them. Every man for himself.
3v0 Give and Gos – Player 3v0 with 1 point player and two low players. Have players execute two give and gos before they take a shot. This drill teaches players to give, cut, and replace. Off-ball movement is key here to maintain balance and get the offense to re-set.
6v6 Scramble: Organize six lines of offense all slightly outside the box (2 at X, 1 on each wing, 2 above the top the box). The first player at each line must have a ball in their stick. Defensive players are in one line directly at X. Start drill with a 2 v 2 anywhere on the field. Once ball is shot, turned over the coach blows the whistle and points to the line that will join the drill. The defense adds a player from X but he cannot mark the offensive player entering the drill. Build up to 6v6.
Attack
Shooting Variations: Below are the differnet types of moves and shots we worked on this past Sunday at small group training. All are 100% applicable to attackmen.
- Finalizers – using a double move directly at X to get a step on your man for a shot. Key is to make your moves so the defensemen are forced to hop over the back of the cage.
- Low Wing Dodges – dodging from the low wing is a growing trend in college lacrosse. A great way to get your hands free for a shot, feed, or simply to get the defense to start sliding and rotating.
- V-Dodge
- V-Dodge into a Split Dodge
- S-Dodge
Challenge 1v1s with Attackman: Pick a guy you want to go 1v1 against, approach the man, defend to a shot
Defense/Goalie
Defend the Cone: focus on approach, positioning, hand placement, and defending guys from up top. Don’t use your stick, use your hands when defending above GLE!
Three-man Approach Drill
Challenge 1v1s with Attackman: Pick a guy you want to go 1v1 against, approach the man, defend to a shot
Midfield
Marquette Shooting Drill: 2-man games from the wings, cutting the field in half, and working on getting your hands free for a shot.
- 2 Variations to work on
- Pass to razor pick → Dodge to alley shot
- Pass to razor pick → Dodge to alley hit slip
2v1 Dodges from High Wings: Great way to rep the two-man game and put the shooting variations to practice with a defender in the drill
2v2 Razor Picks: The Razor pick is a great pick variation to give the dodger an opportunity to dodge down the alley or to the middle.
Girls
Defense
- V Shuffle in Alley – Focus on Footwork, Form, stick position
- Ladders into GB’s, then into Breakdown and Contact (6 min)
Vary the foot patterns, stress ABCD’s
- 1 v. 1 in Alley
Attack & Midfield
- Dodging and Shooting from the Wings
- Face Dodge under, Face Dodge and Roll, Split to top side.
- Demonstrate and then have them rep. it from alternating sides, do from right side then left side. Focus on footwork, change of direction, stick position.
- Shooting – if release is early (before mid-crease) aim for far pipe, if release is late (after mid-crease) shoot back.
Practice Drills
3 Lady Passing – Right, Left, Catch left throw right, Catch right throw left, gb’s (center person changes every min.)
Crazy 8’s – one of our favorite Fusion games that includes a 2v2 ground ball into a 3v2. Whoever earns the GB gets the extra player. Play to a shot and stay inside the 8 meter. Players on the outside of the drill are responsible for keeping the ball in play.
4 Corners 1 v. 1’s – 1v1s from 4 popular dodge locations around the 8 meter.
Smithtown West vs. Hills East PREVIEW – Birds or Bulls?
Preseason ranked number 4, The Thunderbirds of Half Hollow Hills East will take on number 2, Smithtown West Bulls on Thursday, April 12th at Smithtown West High School. Struck by lighting, Hills East is electric when they take the field. Under new management, Coach Paul Benway and Justin O’Connell, have managed to get these boys flying higher than ever as they are off to a 4-0 start in the 2018 campaign. Hills East returns talent all over the field on both ends including midfielders Drew Martin (Air Force), Brett Martin (Hopkins), Mike Monitto (Lehigh), attackmen Ryan Doran (St. Joseph’s PA), Zach Cosentino (Catholic), LSM Sal Pascarella (St. Joseph’s PA), and defenseman Mike Gomez (Hopkins) and Conor Caiazza (Ithaca). Equally combatting Hills East’s strengths, Smithtown West is shaking up the competition all over the Island as the Bulls are 5-0 on the season. A philosophy built on focusing “One at a time,” Smithtown West is dialed in, ready for any challenge 2018 brings. Senior leadership is a huge aspect working in West’s favor. Talent in all positions, Smithtown West returns midfielders Matt Cattigan, Conor Calderone (FOGO- Maryland), Brandon Meir (Siena), Andrew Arce (Binghamton), attackmen Kyle Zawadzki (Yale), John Hoffman, Matt Miller (Quinnipiac), defenseman David Gonzalez (Christopher Newport) and goaltender Kyle Walker (Army). What is sharper, the horns of a Bull? Or the beak of a Bird? It all goes down today, Smithtown West vs. Half Hollow Hills East.
