Long Island Wins Fifth Straight Gold

July 25, 2010

Smithtown West attack Kyle Keenan directed Long Island to its fifth straight gold at the Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle LavioletteSmithtown West attack Kyle Keenan directed Long Island to its fifth straight gold at the Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle Laviolette

BUFFALO – The Kyle Keenan to Brandon Gamblin connection was so fluid, you’d think they had been teammates for longer than one month. In the end, the relationships the Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team built — starting with tryouts in June and continuing with 12 exhibition games in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – ended with a gold medal performance at the Empire State Games on Sunday at Canisius College.

Keenan, an X attack, directed the offense with precision throughout the four-day tournament. That he had an uncanny ability to find fellow Smithtown West teammate James Pannell for open shots was no surprise. That he hooked up with Gamblin, a Hicksville midfielder, again and again spoke volumes of how well this team of all-stars meshed.

Keenan fed Gamblin for three of his four goals on Sunday as Long Island (5-1) erased a 4-2 halftime deficit to take down previously unbeaten Central, 7-6, in the gold medal game. Central (5-1) stunned Long Island, 8-7, in overtime when the teams met in pool play on Friday night. With the win, Long Island became the first region to earn gold in five straight Empire State Games since boys lacrosse became a sport in 1984.

It wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar play of Connetquot goalie Zach Oliveri (10 saves), who was in every respect the defensive stopper of the tournament. FOGO Jake Froccaro, a Port Washington junior, also played an important role after missing a game with a mild concussion suffered against Central.

Even Oliveri couldn’t stop Central the entire time. Long Island was victimized for goals twice in the final 1:14 of the first half when Ithaca’s Riley Lasda spun off his defender and broke free in the box. His score was followed by Tom Grimm’s quick strike to make it 4-2 Central with 43 seconds left. Grimm, a Syracuse commitment from Carthage, had the game-winner against Long Island on Friday.

The third quarter belonged to Long Island the entire tournament. This game was no exception. Pannell scored 1:39 into the third, and after pelting the Central goal with a barrage of shots, Garden City’s Tom Gordon scored the equalizer on a feed from Keenan with 4:01 left in the third. Gamblin juked past his defender and fired home the go-ahead goal to make it 5-3 with 1:37 left.

Long Island kept up the pressure from there. Keenan found Gamblin charging toward the net and the Hicksville scorer did the rest to extend the lead to 6-4 with 10:52 to go.

Fayetteville-Manlius attack Ari Waffle scooped in a rebound past Oliveri to make it 6-5 with 7:40 left.

But the Keenan-to-Gamblin connection struck once more to keep Central at arm’s length. Gamblin, a UMass commitment, scored his 18th goal in six-game tournament – and fourth of the day – with 6:52 left.

Jamesville-Dewitt’s Alex Hatem scored his second goal of the day on a diving play at the net close the gap to 7-6 with 4:20 left.

Long Island’s defense kept Central off balance from there. And after Central’s Austin Curtis received a one-minute penalty for slashing, Keenan and Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi held the ball and ran out the clock. All there was left to do was celebrate the historic victory.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 F
Central 2 2 0 2 6
Long Island 2 0 3 2 7

Goals – CN: Hatem 2, Waffle 2, Grimm, Lasda LI: Gamblin 4, Gordon, Keenan, Pannell. Assists – CN: Edwards LI: Keenan 4, Pannell. Saves – CN: White 16 LI: Oliveri 10.

LI Advances to Gold Medal Game

July 24, 2010

Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin scored six goals to lead Long Island to the gold medal game. Photo by Kyle Laviolette
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin scored six goals to lead Long Island to the gold medal game. Photo by Kyle Laviolette

BUFFALO – The Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team moved a big step closer to defending its gold medal by closing out play 4-1 after thumping New York City, 15-3, on Saturday at Canisius College. The start was delayed a half hour by lightning. But once the game began, Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin was electric.

Two days after racking up five goals in a win over Hudson Valley, the rising senior midfielder poured in six more to single-handedly outscore the City (0-5). Gamblin, a UMass commitment, has 14 goals in five games at the Empire State Games. New York has never beaten Long Island, and after the Island jumped in front 5-0, it was clear it wouldn’t happen this time either.

Garden City’s Tom Gordon had two goals and two assists, Smithtown West’s James Pannell scored twice and added an assist and Smithtown teammate Kyle Keenan had a goal and three assists. Northport’s Tom Cordts recorded four saves.

Long Island will face Central for the gold medal on Sunday at 11 a.m.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 F
New York City 0 2 1 0 3
Long Island 5 3 3 4 15

Goals – NYC: Fowler, Philipps, Pietroforte LI: Gamblin 6, Gordon 2, Pannell 2, Andreassi, Demeireles, Keenan, Sagl, Wendel. Assists – NYC: Philipps LI: Keenan 3, Gordon 2, Andreassi, Gerrato, Pannell, Sagl, Walsh. Saves – NYC: Superka 13, Fiore 6 LI: Cordts 4.

Central Stuns LI in OT, 8-7

July 23, 2010

Michael Andreassi (1) and James Pannell (14) each scored twice in the second half for Long Island. Photo by Kyle LavioletteMichael Andreassi (1) and James Pannell (14) each scored twice in the second half for Long Island. Photo by Kyle Laviolette

BUFFALO — Carthage’s Tom Grimm, a Syracuse commitment, ended an overtime thriller at the Empire State Games on his goal with 2:06 left as Central topped Long Island, 8-7, in a scholastic boys lacrosse game at Canisius College Friday night.

Central, which improved to 4-0 and locked up a berth in the gold medal game on Sunday, held Long Island scoreless in the first half and jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the third quarter. But Long Island, the four-time defending champs, answered with a flourish.

Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin got the Island on the board with a rip with 7:07 left in the third. Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi closed the gap to 5-2 on a point-blank shot with 5:8 left. West Islip midfielder scored on yet another behind-the-back move with 1:55 left and Smithtown West’s James Pannell closed the quarter with a goal and high step celebration to move Long Island to down 5-4.

Central responded with a pair of fourth-quarter goals sandwiched between Andreassi’s score. Then East Islip’s Kevin Wendel and Pannell struck for back-to-back goals, the latter forging a tie at 7 with 3:10 left.

That’s how it remained until Grimm beat Connetquot goalie Zach Oliveri (11 saves) backside for the sudden death score.

Long Island FOGO Jake Froccaro, who had a strong second half, was knocked out of the game with 4:14 left when he was hit from behind. He sat out the remainder of the game. But his absence was felt in the faceoff circle.

Long Island can return to the gold medal game and force a rematch with Central by beating winless New York City on Saturday at 5 p.m.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 OT F
Central 1 3 1 2 1 8
Long Island 0 0 4 3 0 7

Goals – CN: Rice 2 Corapi, Curtis, Donahue, Edwards, Grimm, Lasda LI: Andreassi 2, Pannell 2, Gamblin, Sagl, Wendel. Assists – CN: Ferrito, Piroli LI: Jones, Keenan, Pannell. Saves – CN: White 11 LI: Oliveri 11.

LI Outlasts Adirondack, 12-4

July 23, 2010

Port Washington’s Jake Froccaro scored twice, added an assist and handled faceoffs against Adirondack. Photo by Kyle Laviolette Port Washington’s Jake Froccaro scored twice, added an assist and handled faceoffs against Adirondack. Photo by Kyle Laviolette

Buffalo – Long Island endured wind, rain and rumblings of thunder at Canisius College on Friday. The boys lacrosse team also grew frustrated with Adirondack’s zone defense and clock-eating offense. But the players became downright unhinged when Adirondack goalie Bob Wardwell raced up the field and scored.

Day 2 of the Empire State Games got off to an alarming start for the four-time defending champs.

Yet Port Washington midfielder Jake Froccaro won the opening faceoff of the second half and Smithtown West attack James Pannell scored just 8 seconds in as Long Island shook off a 3-2 halftime deficit.

It was the first of 10 second-half goals for Long Island, which improved to 3-0 with a 12-4 win. With games remaining against Central (Friday, 8 p.m.) and New York City (Saturday, 5 p.m.), Long Island has all but locked up a berth in Sunday’s gold medal game.

Froccaro, Pannell, West Islip’s Michael Sagl and East Islip’s Kevin Wendel each had two goals in the win. Northport’s Thomas Cordts started in goal and made seven saves.

Smithtown West’s Kyle Keenan, playing the role of X attack, got the offense in a groove in the second half. He found a cutting Wendel with 5:57 left in the third and the East Islip scorer converted to put Long Island on top 4-3. Keenan finished with four assists.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 F
Adirondack 1 2 0 1 4
Long Island 1 1 4 6 12

Goals – AD: Cox, D’Amario, Sperry, Wardwell LI: Froccaro 2, Pannell 2, Sagl 2, Wendel 2, Gamblin, Gordon, Jones, Walsh. Assists – AD: Cox LI: Keenan 4, Andreassi 2, Froccaro, Gerrato. Saves – AD: Wardwell 15 LI: Cordts 7.

LI Runs Away From Western 10-4

July 22, 2010

East Islip's Kevin Wendel outpaces the Western defense at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle Laviolette.
East Islip’s Kevin Wendel outpaces the Western defense at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle Laviolette.

Buffalo — Long Island began its quest for an unprecedented fifth straight gold medal in scholastic boys lacrosse with an early-morning wakeup call. The players and coaches had to put a marathon 24 hours behind them, starting with a 10-hour bus ride which began at Bethpage State Park at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, then the emotions of Opening Ceremonies Wednesday evening and culminating with an air condition-less night of sleep in the dorms at Canisius College.

What awaited them Thursday was a 9 a.m. date with the belle of the ball. Many hyped Western as the trendy favorite to upset Long Island, not only because the boys from Buffalo and Rochester were playing on their home turf, but because the roster was stocked with several big-name college commitments.

Yet it was clear from the opening faceoff on the turf at Canisius that Long Island brought a little something extra. Call it confidence, swagger or attitude. The offense roared to life early, scoring three quick goals and hitting the pipe several times more.

East Islip’s Kevin Wendel, a rising senior midfield committed to Navy, took a pass from Smithtown West’s Kyle Keenan lurking behind the cage and found the back of the net for a 1-0 edge just 1:48 into the game.

Keenan, the son of Smithtown West coach Sean Keenan and one of three Bulls players on the Empire squad, made it 3-0 with his drive with 3:49 left in the first. It was part of a three-goal, three-assist day for Keenan, a rising senior attack headed to Duke.

Despite a strong start, Long Island only led 3-2 at halftime. The coaching staff simply preached patience. The defense held up fine and the offense had plenty of shots on goal. Connetquot senior goalie Zach Oliveri, a vocal leader in the back and a team co-captain, registered 10 saves and directed a defense that effectively shut down Western in the second half.

FOGO specialist Jake Froccaro a Port Washington rising junior and the youngest player on the Empire team, dominated in the circle in the second half. His quick outlet to Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin put LI in front 4-2 just 3 seconds into the third quarter. Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi collected a ground ball to set up Smithtown West attack James Pannell for a goal 31 seconds later.

The rout was on from there. Long Island scored five goals in the quarter. Long Island faces Hudson Valley at 4 p.m. while Western gets a chance to atone against traditionally-weak New York City at 8 p.m.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 F
Western 1 1 1 1 4
Long Island 3 0 5 2 10

Goals – WN: Coholan, Dejoe, Reed, Yunker LI: Keenan 3, Andreassi, Gamblin, Geratto, Gordon, Jones, Pannell, Wendel. Assists – WN: Burke, Yunker LI: Keenan 3, Pannell 2, Gordon. Saves – WN: Govenettio 8 LI: Oliveri 10.

LI Downs Team Superstars 11-3

July 8, 2010

Floyd's Luke Miller scored twice as Long Island lacrosse beat Team Superstars, 11-3. Photo by David Savoie

Stony Brook, N.Y. — It was a game the Long Island boys lacrosse Empire State Games team dominated from start to finish, but a performance uneven enough to leave the coaching staff flustered.

Long Island faced Team Superstars, based in Katonah, N.Y., and boasting a roster of Connecticut and Westchester seniors and juniors.

Long Island built an 8-1 first half lead en route to an 11-3 win on Thursday night under the lights at LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University.

Floyd senior midfielder Luke Miller scored twice and set up a Joey Leonard (Hicksville) goal just before halftime.

Duke commitment Myles Jones, a senior midfielder from Whitman, also raised eyebrows with a vicious hit and a second-quarter goal in a show of power and finesse.

Connetquot’s Zach Oliveri and Northport’s Thomas Cordts each played a half and looked good in goal, with an aggressive defense adding a near impenetrable layer.

Ryan Brunet (Comsewogue), Jake Froccaro (Port Washington), Brandon Gamblin (Hicksville), Thomas Gordon (Garden City), James Pannell (Smithtown West), Nick Sherry (Oceanside) and Kevin Wendel (East Islip) each scored for Long Island.

Division senior attack Thomas Nuckel was on the sideline 48 hours after suffering a left knee injury. Wearing a brace and in good spirits, Nuckel will miss the Empire State Games despite being selected as part of the 20-man travel team.

Long Island will play four games at the Tri-State Tournament on Saturday at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, N.J.

Nassau Wins Top 50 Game

June 24, 2010

East Northport , N.Y. — Call it first contact. The boys lacrosse players who will make up Long Island’s entry into the 2010 Empire State Games faced off on Thursday night on the field turf at Veterans Park.

After five grueling days of tryouts, 712 players had been culled to the top 25 in Nassau and Suffolk. And from this group, the best performers in the Top 50 game would earn a spot on the 30-man Empire roster announced the next afternoon at Hofstra’s Margiotta Hall.

Suffolk shined early, but the Nassau all-stars pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn a 12-10 victory. Sachem North rising senior attack Michael Andreassi had five goals while Hicksville senior midfielder Brandon Gamblin and Division senior attack Thomas Nuckel each added three goals.

It was a see-saw battle entering the fourth quarter. That’s when Port Washington junior midfielder Jake Froccaro tipped the balance in Nassau’s favor thanks to his faceoff skills.

Andreassi scored Suffolk’s first two goals – sandwiched between Farmingdale senior attack Salvatore Tuttle’s goal – for a 2-1 edge.

Oceanside senior midfielder Nick Sherry tied it at 2. That’s how it remained into the third quarter when Smithtown West junior attack James Pannell put Suffolk back in front 3-2. In the second half, Pannell received a cut between the eyes which required a hospital visit, but he stayed in the game.

Hicksville senior attack Joey Leonard scored for Nassau and Andreassi answered immediately to make it 4-3.

Division’s Nuckel tied it at 4 and Hicksville’s Gamblin scored back-to-back goals to put Nassau in front for the first time, 6-4.

Andreassi continued to dominate, closing the gap to 6-5. East Islip senior attack Tyler Begley tied it at 6 with a hard shot.

Gamblin opened a manic fourth quarter with a goal. Comsewogue senior attack Ryan Brunet scored to tie things at 7. What had been a physical, defense-oriented game to this point now shifted into a track meet.

Each of the three goalies Nassau and Suffolk carried into the game had played one quarter to this point. Connetquot’s Zach Oliveri, Northport’s Thomas Cordts, Syosset’s Ryan Feit and Manhasset’s Frank Morelli made brilliant saves. Now all the goalies rotated through in the final period.

Jericho senior midfielder Jesse Chazen made it 8-7 Nassau. Smithtown West senior attack Kyle Keenan tied it for Suffolk.

But when South Side senior midfielder Bryan Gerrato, wearing No. 179, scored, it marked the eighth lead change and put Nassau ahead for good at 9-8. Goals by Farmingdale senior midfielder Korey Hendrickson and Nuckel extended the lead to 11-8.

Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Trevor Brosco answered for Suffolk to make it 11-9. Then Andreassi scored for the fifth time to make it a one-goal game.

But Nuckel put the finishing touches on an impressive night for Nassau with a goal just before the final whistle.

The tryout process was finally history. Yet the coaching staff still had a long night ahead. They needed to finalize the top 30 Empire players and send congratulatory emails overnight. The 20 who didn’t make the cut? They earned spots on the Long Island Showcase.