Eighth Graders Win in Indoor Lacrosse

Five players - Justin Venezia, Scot Gale, Rob Bonagura and Greg and Steve Cohen - had two or more goals each Sunday as Farmingdale's eighth grade team went 2-0 in lacrosse in the State University at Farmingdale indoor league, defeating Islip 17-4.

The Dalers were missing several players overall due to prior commitments, but still dominated from the opening minutes with the first score coming on a three-pass play that set the tone for the rest of the game. Goalie Chris Hardgrove quickly turned a save into a fast break opportunity, nailing a perfect pass to midfielder Mark Sweeney on the sideline, who quickly pushed the ball forward to Gale at wing attack, who drew the defense with a strong move to the middle before hitting middie Greg Cohen, streaking into the box from the opposite wing.

By the second half, the Dalers - up by 9-2 - were playing under a self-imposed rule in which every offensive player had to touch the ball before a goal could be attempted.

The game also saw some particularly strong defensive efforts by Bonagura and John Kirk in the midfield, Kevin Piechota and Chris Auletta at crease defense, and goal Hardgrove. Gale, Sweeney and Gary Block led the team in assists, and Venezia and the Cohen brothers were particularly effective in cutting to the goal for their scores.

The Dalers' next game is Sunday night, 8 p.m., against a tough Northport squad.