Long Beach Marines

LONG BEACH

Marines rely on balance, chemistry

By TONY BELLISSIMO

Seeded 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 Sofi eld, 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 midfi eld, 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.

Wally Carroll

junior-led defense in front of senior goaltender Wally Carroll, who won 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 midfi eld, 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 has title title aspirations aspirations

Long Beach has its sights set on climbing perennial county championship contender Garden City to put its fi rst-ever girls’ lacrosse banner on the gymnasium wall. The Marines, a year removed from losing to South Side in the Class B semifi nals, are loaded with talent all over the fi eld 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 fi nd 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 midfi eld, 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 midfi eld. 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 fi eld for either team in every game,” Ray said of the fi fth-year defender who works alongside seniors Morgan McCaffery and Ali Kile. Senior Sarah Gusler is the returning starter in goal and sophomore

Emily Backlin is also expected to contribute. sights set on climbing perennial county championship

City to put its fi rst-ever girls’ lacrosse banner on the gymnasium wall. The Marines, a year removed from losing to South Side in the Class B semifi nals, are loaded with talent all over the fi eld 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 fi nd 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

Delaney Radin

Senior Sarah Gusler is the returning starter in goal and sophomore Emily Backlin is also

Conference Schedules

BOYS

April

12 @ Kennedy 4:45 p.m. 22 MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 27 Great Neck South 5:00 p.m.

May

4 @ Jericho 5:30 p.m. 6 Roslyn 7:00 p.m. 11 Carey 4:45 p.m. 13 @ Garden City 5:00 p.m. 17 @ Calhoun 4:45 p.m. GIRLS

March

28 Garden City 4:45 p.m. 31 @ Manhasset 4:45 p.m.

April

4 @ C.S. Harbor 7:00 p.m. 9 South Side 11:00 a.m. 13 @ Wantagh 5:00 p.m. 25 Plainedge 7:00 p.m. 28 North Shore 5:00 p.m.

May

3 @ Syosset 5:00 p.m. 6 Massapequa 4:45 p.m.