Gamblin Nets 5, LI Rolls 13-7

July 22, 2010

Hicksville's Brandon Gamblin (far right) gets a handshake from Hudson Valley after scoring five goals at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Jason Molinet.
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin (far right) gets a handshake from Hudson Valley after scoring five goals at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Jason Molinet.

BUFFALO — Long Island went on the attack Day 1 of the Empire State Games and emerged 2-0 after pelting the Hudson Valley goal in a 13-7 win Thursday afternoon at Canisius College. Hicksville rising senior attack Brandon Gamblin charged into the teeth of the Hudson Valley defense and scored just 1:17 into the game. It was the first of five goals for the UMass-bound scorer.

And yet Gamblin’s offensive outburst wasn’t even the most impressive highlight of a day filled with memorable moments. No, those belong to West Islip midfielder Michael Sagl. The understated senior has been a key cog in two state championship teams. Against Hudson Valley, he showed a little flair when he scored on an over-the-shoulder, behind-the-back shot — twice.

Once again, FOGO Jake Froccaro a rising junior from Port Washington, helped Long Island control the game by owning the faceoff circle. It helped the Island take a commanding 9-3 lead midway through the third quarter.

East Islip’s Kevin Wendel double pumped, sending a Hudson Valley defender flying past him to open a clear path to the net, also drew sideline raves. His score extended the lead to 10-3 with 1:25 left in the third.

Northport goalie Thomas Cordts made eight saves to earn the win.

Long Island has two more games on Friday. It faces Adirondack at 11 a.m. followed by the highly anticipated showdown versus Central under the lights at 8 p.m. With two winnable games left on the schedule – Adirondack and New York City – Long Island may have already positioned it self to reach the gold medal game.

So the prime time showdown against Central will be telling. For now, Long Island can sleep well having outplayed and outlasted host Western and always-respectable Hudson Valley. It’s a strong first day by any measure for coach Jay Mauro and Co.

TEAMS 1 2 3 4 F
Hudson Valley 0 2 2 3 7
Long Island 3 2 5 3 13

Goals – HV: Caffrey 2, Mcreddie 2, Bonaventura, Donohue, McNally LI: Gamblin 5, Sagl 2, Keenan, Jones, Miller, Pannell, Walsh, Wendel. Assists – HV: Caffrey, Dedomenico, Schurr LI: Keenan 3, Andreassi, Gamblin, Gerrato, Pannell. Saves – HV: Grace LI: Cordts 8.

Long Island blasts Central for 2008 ESG gold

July 27, 2008

Binghamton, N.Y. — Two days after holding off Central 7-6 in group play, Long Island left no doubt on Sunday in the scholastic boys lacrosse gold medal game at the 2008 Empire State Games.

Long Island wrapped up a 6-0 week at Binghamton University and won its fourth straight gold by pelting the Central goal with 41 shots in a 14-3 victory.

The Island jumped in front 3-0 on St. Anthony’s midfielder Thomas Schreiber’s goal with 4:35 left in the opening quarter.

Central rallied to close the gap to 3-2 on Syracuse-CBA standout Casey Lasda’s goal midway through the second quarter.

But Long Island erupted for nine straight goals spanning the second and third quarters to take control. Plainedge goalie Rob Bellairs made eight saves and Rocky Point attack Matt Palasek scored six goals. West Islip junior attack Nicky Galasso added one goal and three assists.

Long Island 2008

July 26, 2008

Roster

NAME HIGH SCHOOL YR POS COLLEGE
Rob Bellairs Plainedge Sr. Goalie Hofstra
Ian Braddish West Islip Jr. Midfield North Carolina
Bradley Cappellini Manhasset Sr. Defense Harvard
Michael Chapman Sachem East Sr. Attack Penn
John Duvnjak Manhasset Sr. Midfield Middlebury
Connor English Manhasset Sr. Attack Virginia
Jeff Froccaro Port Washington Sr. Attack Princeton
Nicky Galasso West Islip Jr. Attack North Carolina
Andrew Hodgson West Islip Jr. Midfield Towson
Will Manny St. Anthony’s Sr. Attack UMass
Michael Mccormack West Islip Sr. Defense Yale
Maxx Meyer Half Hollow Hills East Jr. Defense Princeton
Steven Murphy Floyd Sr. Midfield Notre Dame
Nick O’Reilly South Side Sr. Midfield Virginia
Anthony Ostrander Farmingdale Sr. Defense Albany
Brian O’Toole Long Beach Sr. Midfield Harvard
Matt Palasek Rocky Point Sr. Attack Johns Hopkins
Thomas Schreiber St. Anthony’s Jr. Midfield Princeton
Kyle Sheridan Smithtown East Sr. Defense Lehigh
Ryan Zaremba West Islip Sr. Goalie Army Prep
STAFF TITLE
Chris Deeks Head Coach (Floral Park)
Jay Mauro Assistant Coach (Sachem North)
George Fox Lacrosse Coordinator
Bob Kenney Long Island Region Director

2008 Results

DATE OPPONENT RESULT
7-24 Long Island v Western 14-12 W
7-24 Long Island v Hudson Valley 9-8 W
7-25 Long Island v Adirondack 11-2 W
7-25 Long Island v Central 7-6 W
7-26 Long Island v New York City 17-1 W
7-27 Gold Medal Game Long Island v Central 14-3 W

Note: 2008 Empire State Games at Binghamton University, Binghamton, N.Y.