Manhasset beats Mount Sinai for LI Class C boys lacrosse crown in rematch of last year's championship
Manhasset boys lacrosse teammates celebrate after their 12-7 win over Mt. Sinai in the Class C Long Island Championship at Shuart Stadium on Saturday, June 4, 2022. Credit: James Escher
Joey versus Joey got the top billing in the Long Island Class C boys lacrosse championship Saturday at Hofstra.
Spallina, the Syracuse bound star and consensus top-recruit in the country, led Long Island in scoring and broke the all-time points record for boys earlier this week. Terenzi, the number three ranked senior in the country by Inside Lacrosse and Virginia commit, is an explosive offensive midfielder.
But it was the supporting cast who made the difference.
Jack Petersen had three goals and two assists, Matt Perfetto had two goals and two assists and capped off a 5 minute, 10 second possession midway through the fourth quarter with a goal. Liam Connor had three goals and Terenzi had a goal and two assists, as Manhasset knocked off defending Class C champion Mount Sinai, 12-7.
“I sat on the sideline last season and didn’t really play that much,” Petersen said. “I was able to take it all in but I didn’t contribute as much as I wanted so it just makes it that much more special to be able to do this now.”
Spallina, who had a goal and five assists, scored wtih 11:11 left in the fourth quarter to bring Mt. Sinai (18-1) within 8-7.
From that point forward Manhasset (15-4) put on a clinic in ball control, holding the ball for the next 8:47 and scoring four times in the process to ice the game.
“It’s conditioning,” Petersen said. “We take it seriously and I think that really came back to us. It’s hot out and we don’t have a lot of players who play so all those sprints in practice paid off.”
Terenzi scored early and then assisted on goals by Petersen and Perfetto at the end of the first half that gave Manhasset a lead and the momentum heading into the break.
“Jack Petersen is our guy,” Terenzi said. “He was the best player on the field today and I’m so happy for him.”
A year after Manhasset and Mt. Sinai met in a classic Long Island championship game that was won on a last second goal by Spallina, it was Manhasset who took control late.
“That goal Joey scored last year — he’s the best player in the country and it’s not even close — it stung,” Terenzi said. “To win this game after last year means so much.”
Spallina ended his historic career as the all-time scoring leader in Long Island boys lacrosse history with 507 points.
Now, Terenzi and Manhasset get a chance to add to their legacy as they travel to Albany to play Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in a state semifinal Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.
“This is by far the biggest win I’ve ever had,” Terenzi said. “I was telling my mom how badly I just wanted to win and we did it.”
Gene Morris joined Newsday's sports department in September 2012 and covers high school sports. He earned a journalism degree from Stony Brook University in 2010.
