2022 HERALD High School Lacrosse Preview
LONG BEACH Marines rely on balance, chemistry By TONY BELLISSIMO
S
eeded fourth in Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse coming off a 5-win campaign that included impressive victories over Class A programs Massapequa and Port Washington, Long Beach is looking to take care of business against opponents seeded below it and give the top three a “run for their money,” coach Jason Pearl said. “We have a coachable group
with chemistry,” Pearl said. “I think we’ll be pretty balanced and have what it takes to be competitive with everyone on the schedule.” The Marines feature a junior-led defense in front of senior goaltender Wally Carroll, who won the starting job in camp last spring and went on to make 134 saves. “We had no idea what to expect from him, but now we do,” Pearl said. “Wally anticipates well and makes the tough saves.” Long Beach’s football quarterback, junior Hayden Sofield, is also the lacrosse QB on defense, Pearl explained. “We rely on Hayden to do all the communicating because his lacrosse IQ is through the roof,” the coach said. Junior Jack Skarren, a county champion swimmer, is another key defender with quick hands and feet who’ll log major minutes. Junior Tom Cieleski joins the back row after playing long pole middie in 2021. In the midfield, senior Jeffrey Conway is a strong two-way asset and one of the best three-sport athletes in the school, Pearl said. Senior Owen Stark is scrappy and does a lot of the dirty work, and speedy senior Christian Tarsia will look to contribute after rehabbing from injury. Senior Chris Buonocore and junior Jaden Bloom are both long pole middies and strong on and off the ball, Pearl said. Junior attack Jack Miller is the team’s top returning scorer (20 goals) and added muscle to go with his skill set. He works well with senior Joe Cieleski, a crafty playmaker up front and comes off a 17-point season.
Long Beach has title aspirations
Wally Carroll 28 — April 14, 2022
Long Beach has its sights set on climbing perennial county championship contender Garden
City to put its first-ever girls’ lacrosse banner on the gymnasium wall. The Marines, a year removed from losing to South Side in the Class B semifinals, are loaded with talent all over the field and will gain the perfect measuring stick off the bat when they face Garden City in the Conference I opener. “I like the idea of playing Garden City early to find out where we’re at,” coach Rachel Ray said. “Hopefully we’ll see them again in June. We have our eyes on that big goal of winning it all. We graduated some great players, but we still have outstanding talent, chemistry and depth.” Junior Delaney Radin is an All-American attack who registered 24 goals and 58 assists last spring. She’s committed to the University of Florida. “Delaney is immensely talented and her lacrosse IQ is through the roof,” Ray said. “She’s so creative and has a great shot. Her ability to thread the needle with perfect passes while battling a double or triple team is incredible.” Senior Leah Chasin, freshman Delaney Chernoff and eighthgrader Sky Kilfeather (12 goals in 2021) are additional weapons on attack. In the midfield, Ray is excited for the return of draw specialist Keira Bauer, who missed last season with a knee injury. Between Bauer, junior Nora Codianni and sophomore Ava Main, the coach said she’s never had so much speed in the midfield. On defense, UMass-bound senior Cate Miller leads the way and also has dynamic two-way ability and speed to burn. “She’ll be the fastest player on the field for either team in every game,” Ray said of the fifth-year defender who works alongside seniors Morgan McCaffery and Ali Kile.
HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE PREVIEW
Delaney Radin
Senior Sarah Gusler is the returning starter in goal and sophomore Emily Backlin is also expected to contribute.
Conference Schedules BOYS
April 12 22 27
@ Kennedy MacArthur Great Neck South
4:45 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
4 6 11 13 17
@ Jericho Roslyn Carey @ Garden City @ Calhoun
5:30 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
May
GIRLS March 28 31
Garden City @ Manhasset
4:45 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
4 9 13 25 28
@ C.S. Harbor South Side @ Wantagh Plainedge North Shore
7:00 p.m. 11:00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m.
3 6
@ Syosset Massapequa
5:00 p.m. 4:45 p.m.
April
May
Photos by Neil Miller
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