Suffolk boys lacrosse: West Islip still the best

Just how tough is Class A in Suffolk? Consider this.

The team that spoiled the home opener for national powerhouse West Islip on its new turf field was the No. 8 seed, Sachem North. The Lions were not only the coaches' top choice in Division I, but at the time, were the nation's No. 1 boys team, according to Inside Lacrosse magazine.

However, West Islip knocked off Chaminade, another nationally ranked team, three days later and reaffirmed its status as a leading contender to defend its state title. There will be stiff competition, however, in Division I, where 12 of 23 teams qualify for the playoffs.

CLASS A

West Islip is led by seniors Nicky Galasso (attack), Andrew Hodgson and Rob Moore (midfield), and Eddie Ryan (defense), all committed to play college lacrosse. So are junior middies Conor Braddish and Mike Sagler and attack Drew Federico.

Ward Melville, the only team to defeat the Lions last season returns 27 players. All-County defenseman Matt Kunkel (headed to Duke) is one of the best on Long Island. So is Jimmy Ryan, an All-County player in 2008 who missed nearly all of last season with a back injury. He's back, too. Nick Giampaolo, an All-County midfielder / attack and junior attack Will Mazzone lead the offense.

Speaking of attack, Smithtown West features one of the best young players on Long Island in sophomore Rob Pannell (40 goals last season). Junior Kyle Keenan (27 goals) is another elite scorer. Wayne Marx (defense) and Brett Madarz (midfield) were All-County last season.

Connetquot received its highest preseason seed (fourth) in school history and returns big-time players Kieran McArdle (attack), Mike Pellegrino (defense) and Zach Oliveri (goalie).

Sachem North's potent offense features junior midfield / attack Mike Andreassi (five goals in the upset of West Islip), middie Jake Cabble and attack Phil Schaefer (tying and winning goals against WI). East Islip returns the county's leading goal scorer, Mike Rooney (75) and All-County goalie Tyler Begley. Whitman features the nation's sixth-rated junior recruit, powerful midfielder Myles Jones.

CLASS B

They dubbed themselves the "Killer Bs" last season and there's some depth and balance again in Division II, where nine of 17 teams qualify for the playoffs. Comsewogue is the top seed and returns four All-County players - midfielders Alex Zomerfield and Tom Cleary and defensemen Brian Michalec and Matt Scalera.

Perennial power Shoreham-Wading River has a deep, balanced team, led by underclassmen - freshman Tim Rotanz (attack), sophomore defenseman Chris Mahoney and junior attack Connor Drost.

Sayville, a surprise team last season, lost a lot to graduation but returns All-County attack Dan Mellynchuk and sophomore defenseman Steven Ferreira. Rocky Point is off to a fast start, led by All-County players Tom Kelly (midfield) and Pete Vivonetto (attack). Hauppauge features Penn-bound middie Zack Losco, who scored 103 points last season (61 goals). Eastport-South Manor is a playoff team that will make some noise.

CLASS C

Three of the six "C" teams (who all play in Division II) will qualify for the playoffs. Venerable Mount Sinai coach Joe Cuozzo will retire after the season and didn't appear overly optimistic about adding to his eight state titles (seven with Ward Melville). "We're young and inexperienced," he said. The Mustangs feature junior All-County goalie Matt Poillon.

Cuozzo said the serious candidates for playoff spots are Babylon, Bayport-Blue Point and Glenn. The Knights feature Dartmouth-bound Austin Cohen.