Shoreham-Wading River boys lacrosse uses complete effort to beat Bayport-Blue Point
Shoreham-Wading River's Steven Cain (4) looks to get around Bayport Blue Point's Danny Aiello (7) in the third quarter on Friday April 8, 2022. Credit: Bob Sorensen
After last season’s championship hopes were dashed in a semifinal overtime loss the Shoreham-Wading River boys lacrosse team had been looking forward to the rematch.
They got that chance Friday when Bayport-Blue Point traveled to the north shore for a game that will also have postseason seeding expectations.
The Wildcats (4-0) came out strong, dominating faceoffs to control possession and got scoring contributions from up and down the lineup as they defeated the Phantoms, 11-5, in Suffolk Division II.
“We love taking our time with our possessions and running down the clock,” Alec Gregorek said. “We were winning the majority of the faceoffs today so we had the ball a lot more. Us slowing it down and running the offense and getting shots is always good.”
Gregorek, the team's leading returning scorer, had three goals and an assist and his brother Liam also played a pivotal role, winning 14 of 16 faceoffs.
“We lost to them last year and we wanted to get them back,” Ryan Herr, who had two goals and two assists, said. “We were very prepared for this game and when you have a good faceoff kid and you can get possession and really control the pace of the game.”
Steven Cain (three goals, one assist) opened the scoring in the first quarter for the Wildcats before Liam Kershis (two goals, one assist) and Herr each added goals to give Shoreham-Wading River a 3-0 lead after the first 12 minutes. Herr added his second early in the second quarter for a 4-0 lead.
“We have a ton of guys all over the field who can score,” Alec Gregorek said. “I feel comfortable putting the ball in anybody's hands.”
Bayport-Blue Point (3-1) got three goals from PJ Shanahan but was held to just five goals for the second time this season. The Phantoms had scored at least 14 goals in each of their three Suffolk II games.
“I would consider them a rival and we never doubted their skill,” Gregorek said. “We wanted to win and we were able to come out with it.”
When the defense did have to make plays they did and goalie Jayden Galfano stopped 17 shots.
“We run our offense very well and share the ball and the defense is aggressive which we like,” Alec Gregorek said. ”I think we’re playing pretty well right now as a team.”
There’s plenty of lacrosse to be played but the Wildcats are happy with how things have gone so far.
"This was a huge win but I think every win is a statement win,” Gregorek said. “I feel like we’re the underdogs compared to how people are rating Mount Sinai and some of the other big teams. We can play, clearly. We’ll continue to get better and see where we’re at in the final stretch of the year.”
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.
