Boys lacrosse notebook: Port Washington's defense, Locust Valley's offense

It hasn’t been too easy for most teams to put a lacrosse ball into the net with any frequency against Port Washington.

The Vikings had yielded an average of just 4.7 goals through Wednesday’s play. And by no coincidence, these boys had posted an overall record of 11-2, including 4-2 in the Nassau Power League.

But it hasn’t only been the defense making a difference in the goals-against average.

First-year coach Glenn Lavey said that while “the defensive guys have been great,” the midfielders also have done their part and the attack “has bought into committing to riding.”

“So that’s been one of our themes is that this year, when we’re at our best, it’s a defensive-minded, hard-nosed, gritty team,” Lavey said.

The last line of defense, sophomore goalie Max Eynon, has stood out in several ways.

“He’s a top-level player … his leadership, his consistency, his outletting,” Lavey said. “He holds himself incredibly accountable.”

Harrison Behan has made a heavy impact in front of him. Lavey said the senior defenseman and Loyola commit “is just a big guy, very aggressive, hard-nosed, old school.”

Senior defenseman Nick Noga and junior defenseman Oren Shashoua have been steady. Senior Evan Friedman-Ogino and sophomore Gavin Neville have split time as long stick midfielders and have excelled, as have juniors Jake Feinstein and Jimmy Gannon as defensive midfielders.

Lavey said that those “short stick defenders have been off-the-charts good.”

He also credited assistants Barney Dellaquila and Dan Gil, who have worked a lot with the defense, as well as assistant Steven Betsch for his coaching of junior Griffin Marvin and sophomore Dylan Freeman, who have combined to win about 64% of faceoffs. 

Senior attackman Tommy McCarvill, sophomore attackman Henry Eynon, Max’s twin brother, and senior midfielder Brendan Lang have also done well in their roles, according to Lavey.

“We’re Port Washington; our expectation is that we have an opportunity to win the championship,” Lavey said about the county’s Class A tournament. “I don’t think we’re there yet, but I think we’re approaching that level.”

Locust Valley improves

It was a struggle for Locust Valley last spring — 16 games, one win.

This spring has gone much better — 11 games, eight wins.

The Falcons likely will make the county’s four-team Class D tournament.

So why have they improved?

“Last year, we had a few injuries,” coach Tom Duggan said. “But this year, we have a great group of seniors who have been great leaders for us. We have a younger group of kids as well who have really bought in. They’re eager to work. They’re coachable. And they love the game.

“Between the seniors and the young group, the seniors are kind of showing them the ropes and the young guys are kind of running with it.”

Their standout senior is Owen Pye. Duggan said he’s “a phenomenal leader.” The midfielder has totaled 29 goals and 18 assists.

“He’s actually going to Pace to play defense,” Duggan said. “But for us, he plays offense, he faces off, plays short stick d-middie. He’s really like a Swiss Army knife for us.

“Him and [senior defenseman] Jackson Hoban have really taken the young guys under their wings. They’re coaching them up and helping them learn the game and get better.”

One of the young guys, Will Nabet, has scored 25 goals. Duggan said the sophomore attackman “kind of quarterbacks the offense for us.”

Then there’s freshman goalie Grayson Iannotti. Duggan called the second-year starter “kind of the heart of the team. … He’s really done a great job in net for us.”