Coming up, this will be an exciting week in the boys Suffolk lacrosse world. I went in depth on four major games this week to see exactly what is the match-up at hand. I also take a look at the stars and x-factors that may play apart in each of the four games.
Half Hollow Hills West vs East Islip Game Preview
Time/Place: Wed. May 22nd at East Islip
Last Meeting: East Islip won 8-6 back on April 10th in a close match-up.
Key Players: East Islip: John Sidorski- Attack (38g, 42a)
Hunter Lyons- Midfield (25g, 5a)
For Half Hollow Hills West: Christian Mule- Attack (40g, 36a)
Mike Leva- Attack (25g, 9a)
X Factors: For East Islip: Dylan Rigo- Midfield (24g, 7a)
For Half Hollow Hills West: Danny Zabbia- Attack (23g, 4a)
Scott’s Scoop: Coming off a huge 11-10 win against Eastport South Manor, Half Hollow Hills West is red hot. They won by a goal in a big game that they were the underdog in. The momentum they have coming into their game with East Islip is massive from this win. Mike Leva scored three times in this game and Christian Mule also scored three times. These are two of the best players on the Half Hollow Hills West Team and will be a tough challenge for East Islip. However, East Islip has been playing very well. They come into this game with a big win over Westhampton, 11-5. In that game, John Sidorski scored four goals, and Shane Lyons scored three goals followed by Hunter Lyons with two goals. East Islip has a very good offense and has many scoring weapons on their team. Their game could go either way with Half Hollow Hills West. Both teams have prolific scorers and have a lot of weapons on their team. One thing we know for sure, is that this game is sure to be a good one.
Comsewogue vs Harborfields Game Preview
Time/Place: Wed. May 22nd at Harborfields
Last Meeting: Harborfields won 6-5 back on April 24th in a one goal game.
Key Players: For Comsewogue: Corey Watson- Midfield (30g, 7a)
Sean Kennedy- Defense (29g, 12a)
For Harborfields: Thomas Sangiovanni- Attack (29g, 21a)
Danny Alnwick- Midfield (23g, 16a)
X Factor: For Comsewogue: Jake Deacy- Attack (21g, 11a)
For Harborfields: Aidan Costello- Attack (25g, 11a)
Scott’s Scoop: Comsewogue comes off a big, commanding win against Kings Park 12-1. Chris Wolfe scored four times this game for Comsewogue, followed by three from T.J. Heyder, and two from Sean Kennedy. This game serves as a big momentum builder for Comsewogue by winning with such a commanding, 11-point lead with their goalie, Thomas Heller made 6 saves and only gave up one goal. If Comsewogue plays that way again, Harborfields will have a tough time winning. Harborfields lost their last two games of the season, against two very good teams in Mt. Sinai and Bayport Blue Point. Between these two games, Aidan Costello scored five times, Jonathan Osmun scored five times, and Thomas Sangiovanni scored three times. The Cyclones goalie, Tucker Ward made 16 saves and allowed 19 goals over the past two games. This game against Comsewogue will make for an intense match-up!
Mount Sinai vs Islip Game Preview
Time/Place: Wednesday, May 22nd at Mount Sinai
Last Meeting: Mount Sinai won 13-4 in a physical match-up.
Star Power: For Mount Sinai: Russel Maher- Attack (46g, 9a)
Joey Spallina- Attack (44g, 55a)
Brandon Ventorola- Midfield (30g, 8a)
For Islip: Chris Giuliani- Midfield (39g, 21a)
Luke Arey- Attack (30g, 26a)
X Factors: For Mount Sinai: Brandon Ventrola- Midfield (30g, 8a)
For Islip: Joe Juengerkes- Midfield (36g, 11a)
Scott’s Scoop: Islip has had a great season, coming off a state championship win last year. They hope to get back to counties this year, but they will have a tall task ahead of them in undefeated Mount Sinai team. Islip is coming off two big wins, one against Eastport South Manor in the regular season and a round one playoff win against Elwood/John Glenn. In their win against Eastport South Manor, they put up thirteen points and only allowed five. Luke Arey scored five goals, followed by Joe Juengerkes with three goals. In their first-round playoff win they put up thirteen points again in a win over Elwood/John Glenn. Mount Sinai is coming off a first-round bye after and undefeated season. They are doing incredible in all aspects of the game. Their defense gives up an average of 5 points per game and their offense scores an average of 14 points per game. Islip is a very good team but in order to win they must come in and stop one of the best offense’s in Long Island Lacrosse. This game will be a good one. Will Mount Sinai win and keep their undefeated streak alive or can Islip pull off the upset and continue their quest to a second straight state championship?
Bayport vs Shoreham Game Preview
Time/Place: Wednesday May 22nd at Shoreham Wading River
Last Meeting: Shoreham Wading River won 8-6 back on March 21st.
Star Power: For Bayport: Devin Benvenutti- Attack (24g, 9a)
James Ringer– Midfield (16g, 10a)
For Shoreham Wading River: Xavier Arline- Attack (35g, 40a)
Johnny Schwarz- Midfield (34g, 5a)
X Factor: For Bayport: Jamerson Smith- Attack (19g, 5a)
For Shoreham Wading River: Alec Gregorek- Attack (30g, 5a)
Scott’s Scoop: Bayport Blue Point won their last eleven games heading into the playoffs. This is largely due to their great offense and how many goals they can put up per game. They can put up 15-20 goals in one game, which if you can do that, you have a good shot at winning. The last two wins were against Comsewogue and Harborfields, in two very close games against two very good teams. They are lead by scorers are Devin Benvenutti, Jamerson Smith and James Ringer. If they want to win at Shoreham Wading River, they will need to utilize those three guys a great deal. Shoreham Wading River is a tough team to beat. They are coming off a two-game winning streak against both Babylon and Half Hollow Hills West. Their game against Babylon they put up fourteen points and gave up zero goals. Against Half Hollow Hills West they put up eighteen points and only allowed six goals. Xavier Arline scored six times this game followed by Alec Gregorek with four. Both these teams are two good young teams in facing in a playoff match-up in which anyone can really win. One thing we know for sure, is it’s going to be a competitive, intense, physical round two playoff match-up.
