Lacrosse is a Long Island state of mind, and nothing showcased that more than the state playoffs a year ago. Three Long Island boys squads played in state title games, which ended with plaque.
It could have easily been West Islip instead. The teams played a thrilling in overtime. West Islip, after all, has worn four of the last six state crowns.
Perennial girls lacrosse power and won its first state Class A championship. In fact, Long Island girls teams have won nine of 10 possible state class titles (A, B, C) since 2009.
But the first step is winning Suffolk, which begins with boys and girls lacrosse playoff games this week. The field is stacked. Here is a look at each class:
Boys Lacrosse
Class A: Top-seeded West Islip (15-1) has won the Suffolk Class A crown every year since 2004. The eight-time county champ will look to make it nine. A talented cast, which includes Brendan Smith (Marquette), Tom Moore and Nick Aponte (Penn State), have the experience to make it happen. No. 2 Smithtown West (15-1) has been on the cusp these last few seasons. The Bulls feature a strong lineup: Craig Madarasz (Johns Hopkins), Matthew Schultz (Stony Brook) and James Pannell (Virginia). earlier this season. No. 3 Ward Melville (13-3) has Frank Lucatuorto (Stony Brook) and No. 4 Sachem North (12-4) is well-coached. The top four seeds have byes into the quarterfinals. The championship is at Stony Brook University on May 30 at 5:30 p.m.
Class B: Comsewogue (15-1) is the top seed and hopes to regain the title it held in 2010. No. 2 Sayville (12-3) has Jake Sichenzia (Stony Brook), No. 3 Eastport-South Manor (11-5) features Ryan Curley (UMass) while No. 4 Hauppauge (11-5) has Sam Llinares (Hofstra). The championship is at Stony Brook University on May 30 at 8 p.m.
Class C: Shoreham-Wading River (13-3), last season’s Suffolk Class B champ, moves back down in enrollment and features Notre Dame recruit Trevor Brosco and Chris Mahoney (Ohio State). Defending Long Island C champ Bayport-Blue Point (11-5) is the No. 2 seed. Look out for No. 4 Glenn’s Tom Forsberg (Maryland). The championship is at Stony Brook University on May 30 at 3 p.m.
Girls Lacrosse
Class A: Ward Melville (15-1) has the top seed and a bye to the quarterfinals Monday. So do No. 2 Bay Shore (15-1), No. 3 West Babylon (13-3) and No. 4 Northport (11-4). Defending state Class A champ Northport has won four of the last six Suffolk titles. But the Tigers, decimated by graduation, can be beat. Another dark horse, Bay Shore won the county title in 2010. Watch for Northport junior Cortney Fortunato, Melville’s Lizzy Rullan (Navy) and Bay Shore’s Caroline Delyra (USC). The title game is at Dowling College on May 31 at 8 p.m.
Class B: Top-seeded Hauppauge (13-1) is the defending champ and features Hofstra-bound Lindsay Alfano, Taylor Ranftle (Virginia) and Stephanie Peragallo (Notre Dame). No. 2 Eastport-South Manor (12-3) and No. 3 Sayville (12-4). The title game is at Dowling College on May 31 at 5:30 p.m.
Class C: Shoreham-Wading River (13-3), winner of six of the last seven C titles, has a bye into the county final. It will face Tuesday’s winner of No. 3 Babylon (10-6) at No. 2 Mount Sinai (12-3). The title game is at Dowling College on May 31 at 3 p.m.
Games This Week
Class A Boys First Round:
No. 12 Half Hollow Hills West @ No. 5 Bay Shore, Thursday, 4 p.m.
No. 11 Whitman @ No. 6 Smithtown East, Thursday, 4 p.m.
No. 10 Half Hollow Hills East @ No. 7 Sachem East, Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
No. 9 West Babylon @ No. 8 Northport, Thursday, 4 p.m.
Class A Girls First Round:
No. 12 Patchogue-Medford @ No. 5 East Islip, Friday, 4 p.m.
No. 11 Floyd @ No. 6 West Islip, Friday, 4 p.m.
No. 9 Half Hollow Hills @ No. 8 Middle Country, Friday, 2 p.m.
No. 10 Smithtown West @ No. 7 Sachem East, Friday, 4 p.m.
Class B Boys Quarterfinals:
No. 5 Westhampton @ No. 4 Hauppauge, Friday, 5 p.m.
No. 6 Huntington @ No. 3 Eastport-South Manor, Friday, 4 p.m.
No. 7 Rocky Point @ No. 2 Sayville, Friday, 4 p.m.
Class B Girls Quarterfinals:
No. 8 Miller Place @ No. 1 Hauppauge, Saturday, 10 a.m.
No. 7 East Hampton @ No. 2 Eastport-South Manor, Saturday, 12 p.m.
No. 6 Rocky Point @ No. 3 Sayville, Saturday, 11 a.m.
No. 5 Kings Park @ No. 4 Harborfields, Saturday, 12 p.m.
Always a great competitive game featuring a lot of future D1 talent.