The sixth grade Manhasset lacrosse team continued its winning ways on Sunday, April 25 by beating local rival Port Washington by the score of 7-3, for its third consecutive victory. Team defense, the foundation of this team, was the key to victory, as the opposition was able to take only three shots on goal in the entire second half. Sean Parker, Pat Golden, Mark Shackel and Chris Peyser were outstanding in this regard, with Peyser getting the game ball for his exceptional effort. Brian Nelson was, as usual, smart and effective in goal.

Chris Duffy once again led the offense with three goals in the crease, while J. J. Kennedy, Paul Webber and Mark Shackel also scored. Tommy Nolan, Cullen Molinari and Paul Webber all had picture perfect assists. Matt Donoghue, playing center middie for a change, was all over the field allowing Manhasset to control the ball, along with John Sears, Matt McCooey, Jonathan Belz and Rob D'Augustinis. Next week the team is on the road for an important game against West Islip. Keep up the good work.

Coach Brugal's fifth-grade travel lacrosse team played a strong West Islip team to a tie on Sunday, April 18. Manhasset had very few good opportunities to score as West Islip controlled virtually all of the face-offs and kept the ball in Manhasset's defensive half for much of the game. Manhasset's defense, led by Patrick Judge in goal (21 saves) and David Nebel, kept the score at 0 - 0 for much of the game. A late fourth quarter goal by Johnathan Brugal, assisted by J. T. Milone, gave Manhasset a chance to win. Milone deserves special recognition for coming off the bench despite stitches in his lower lip. Unfortunately, West Islip tied the game with 16 seconds on the clock.

In addition to Judge and Nebel, the Manhasset defense was anchored by Eric Fitzig, John Papa, Mark Sauvigne and Simon Cox. At middle, Johnathan Brugal, Frank Coughlin, Anthony Celifarco, Ryan Figlia, Brian Fleishhacker and Terrence Molinari played a gritty game filled with intensity and hustle. Jack Conway, Matt Heske and Kyle McGoldrick led the attack, with help from Mike Torpe and John Traynor. All the boys put a lot of heart into the game with strong leadership from Brugal, Judge, Milone, Molinari and Nebel.

Brugal's fifth-grade warriors faced cross-town rival Port Washington on Sunday, April 25 and came away with a solid 7-3 win. J.T. Milone led Manhasset's effort by controlling the face-offs and running the Manhasset offense. Manhasset's scoring was evenly distributed as Milone scored twice; Matt Heske also dented the nets twice; and Brian Fleishhacker, Mark Sauvigne and Mike Torpe each scored once. Terrence Molinari and Jack Conway each contributed an assist. Brugal, Conway, Coughlin, Figlia, Fleishhacker, Heske, Milone and Molinari led the effort on ground balls and the Manhasset ride. Manhasset, who outshot Port by two to one, would've had an even bigger margin of victory but for several "pipe" shots.

Manhasset's defense was led by Eric Fitzig, David Nebel, John Papa and Mark Sauvigne. The speed of Anthony Celifarco and Ryan Figlia helped contain Port's middies, and John Traynor and Kyle McGoldrick helped keep the pressure on from the attack.

Patrick Judge once again had a strong game in goal, notching 14 saves. Judge now has 56 saves in three games, against only nine goals given up.

The fifth grade faces perennial rival, Garden City, next Sunday, May 2 at 3 p.m.

Coach Bill and Kevin Miller's fourth grade "Minutemen" got a solid team effort and beat a very good defensive team, Wantagh-Seaford 6-4.

Q: "Minutemen" trivia. Which player almost single handedly killed off the last 1:45 of this weekend's game? Hint: Nickname, "Gretzky".

The Minutemen got off to their usual 2-0 start this weekend, but this time the defensive unit, "The Road Crew," kept host Wantagh-Seaford from threatening the team's first victory party of the season. Keeper Fritz Schoenhut "stood on his head" during the first half of play and with the rest of the defense, inspired the team to play for the "W". Chad "Road Block" Fabuss, Chris "Detour" DiCerbo, Brian "The Road Grader" Giesecke, and "The James Gang" (McKenna and Melvin) again played tough physically throughout the contest.

The squad also got fine ball movement again this weekend from the middies. James "Digger" Donoghue, Mick "The Quick" Madden and Jeff "Big Mac" McMillen continued to show improvement giving the Wantagh-Seaford team a lot to look at during the game. Mark "Silk" Wilkerson, Danny "Wheels" Mullin, Max Trunz and Mike Brennan gave their usual strong performances. With Mullin's lightning quick speed and the dogged face-off determination of Trunz, they led the middies in assists to the aggressive Minutemen attack who converted often.

With precise position play, the Minutemen attack enjoyed their best day yet as Scott Herdemian, Danny Brugal, Kevin Miller, Matt "The Major" Majorana and Johnny "Rap Attack" Rapiel led the team to victory. Miller and Herdemian had multiple goal games with each netting two and Miller recording an assist as well. The coaching staff acknowledged special efforts by Majorana (a big goal), Miller (game high 12 ground balls and the "Icer") and Rapiel (the winner).

The Minutemen continue their improved play this Sunday at 9:30, home vs. West Islip at Manhasset High School. Be there or be square!

A: Mike Brennan ran the ball around the perimeter for the last 1:45 of the game drawing two penalties as he tired out pursuing defenders.

Coach Coughlin's third grade travel lacrosse team dropped a tough loss to Long Beach on Sunday, April 18 by a score of 10-8. Manhasset led 7-5 at half but ran out of steam as Long Beach scored four goals in the third quarter.

Tristan Miller once again led all scorers with three goals, dodging several Long Beach defenders to keep Manhasset on top early in the game. Ryan Clarke added two goals, including a backhand from behind the net. Manhasset's other scoring came from Ryan Conway, Bryan Kane and Stephen Laratro, who each scored a goal. Clarke had the sole assist of the game, feeding Conway in front, who scored off a nice roll dodge.

The Hawthorne Place defensive duo of Clancy and Coughlin kept the Manhasset boys in the game, as Duncan Clancy made 16 tough saves and Billy Coughlin broke up many of the Long Beach offensive assaults. Rounding out the Manhasset defense were Mark Grbic, Michael Impellizeri, Will McIntosh, Mike Millard and Matt Rubertone (also of Hawthorne Place). Chase Cotter hustled on both ends of the field, including some strong middie defense. Peter Gallo, T.J. Mallon, Paul Pate and Owen Sweeney provided strong support for Manhasset's effort.

The third grade travel team faced off against a tough Syosset squad last Sunday, April 25 and lost 12 - 9 in a hard defeat. Syosset jumped to an early lead and held a commanding 10-6 margin early in the second half. Manhasset closed the gap but ultimately couldn't stop the Syosset attack. Manhasset scoring was evenly spread with Clancy, Clarke, Conway, Cotter and Coughlin all scoring a goal (next week we move to the second half of the alphabet). Tristan Miller led Manhasset's scoring with three goals. Miller has proved to be a potent offensive threat as he has scored a hat trick in each of Manhasset's first three games. Clancy and Coughlin both added an assist, with Ryan Clarke adding two assists. Clarke had his best game of the young season, winning several face-offs and hustling in transition. Clancy, Conway, Clarke, Kane and Miller led the team in ground balls.

The third grade faces perennial rival, Garden City, next Sunday, May 2 at 11 a.m.