Tuttle leads Dalers' boys lacrosse win

Getting shots wasn't the problem for Farmingdale. Even getting good shots wasn't an issue. Finding the back of the net, however, was a bit troublesome.

The defending Nassau Class A champions ran into hot goaltenders who combined for 39 saves in losses last week to Wantagh and Holy Trinity. Then in Tuesday's first quarter against host Lynbrook, the Dalers launched 12 shots without scoring.

"A little bad luck," Farmingdale coach Bob Hartranft said. "Some great saves and some shots that were just wide."

Then just before the first quarter ended, the Dalers' luck turned. With the clock ticking down to zero and coaches and players screaming: "Shoot it! Shoot it!" Korey Hendrickson did just that. The midfielder fired what Hartranft called, "a real rocket" from just inside the midfield line and it caught the upper right corner just at the horn for the first goal in what became a 10-3 non-league victory.

"I've never seen a shot like that. It really gave us a lift," attack Sal Tuttle said. "We felt it was just a matter of time before we broke out."

Break out they did. The Dalers scored six goals in the second quarter, including five in 2:56. Both teams are 1-2.

Tuttle was in the middle of the second-quarter barrage. He assisted on Greg Catalano's goal less than a minute into the period. Then he scored a goal and an assist during the game-breaking burst that featured five goal-scorers -- Travis Wahl, Tuttle, Hendrickson (from much closer this time), Timmy Brown and Mike Perrettine. It was 7-1 at halftime and the Dalers were in total control.

SEE PHOTOSFarmingdale 10, Lynbrook 3

"We've been taking good shots, even in the games we lost," Tuttle said. "We know we have to keep shooting, keep moving the ball and eventually they'll start going in."

The Dalers have no trouble shooting the ball. In fact, Tuesday's game would have been even more one-sided if Farmingdale's shots were a bit more on target. The shot differential was an amazing 29-5 at the half and 45-9 for the game.

"It's going to come," Hartranft said of his high-powered offense. "We were way off in our shooting in the first quarter and it was 1-0 for a long time. But then we finally started putting it on net."

There was no hesitancy to fire away, as all the Dalers appeared to have the green light. "It's great when everyone is involved," Tuttle said. "We like to find the open man and take good shots."

As long as Tuttle is running the offense, that should continue.

"He makes a lot happen for us," Hartranft said. "He hustles and he has great eyes."

Tuttle liked what he saw Tuesday.