The Manhasset PAL Lacrosse program continues to be one of the best on Long Island. This year's fifth grade is no exception. Two outstanding teams have been formed and play in competitive divisions. Roger Coleman, Jim Wenk and Fred Harmeyer coach one fifth grade team.

Coleman's season opened on a rainy Sunday afternoon against perennial Manhasset nemesis Garden City. Fortunately it was a home game being played on Manhasset's new turf field so field conditions were not a problem. The field was dry and fast. Manhasset jumped out to an early lead with a goal by middie Christian Salvaterra. Goals followed by middie Kevin Katzmann and two by middie Quinn Moroney. Crisp passing and assists by defenseman Allesandro Troia, attackman Roger Coleman, Katzmann and attackman Tommy Wenk. The defense played smart and tough. Led by Troia and keyed by Sean Collins and Michael Gaudio, the defense continued to come up big time after time against a strong GC attack. Manhasset won the game on the ground picking up 27 ground balls. Rookie goalie John Patrick Kiggins turned in a good first game performance turning back all but two shots. Manhasset walked away with a hard fought 4-2 victory.

Week two saw Manhasset against Suffolk County powerhouse Three Villages. Those who made the long trek on a beautiful Sunday morning saw two very good teams battle it out in a hard-fought contest. Led by the outstanding play of middie Kevin Katzmann and behind middie Christian Salvaterra's three goal performance, goals by Coleman and Moroney, Manhasset took the game to a good Three Villages team. Assists were notched by attackman Patrick Pilch, Coleman, Moroney and Troia. Manhasset played an outstanding game on both ends of the field. Attackman Martin Minardi and Conor McNamara and Brad Harmeyer and defenseman Collins, Luke Minardi and Chris Cordi spearheaded the Manhasset effort Manhasset out hustled Three Villages by scooping 33 ground balls to 21. Defense again was a key to the game. With both middies and defensemen swarming when Three Villages was on attack, the Three Villages offense was shut down. The defense "locked-on" and prevented numerous scoring opportunities. Kiggins again let up 2 goals and depended on the aggressive defense to contest every shot. Manhasset added a 5 - 2 victory to its record.

The following Sunday found another Suffolk County trip on the calendar. Schedule-makers presented Manhasset with another premier lacrosse program matchup with Huntington. The early morning start had the young Manhasset team on its heals. Huntington struck first but Salvaterra answered with his first of two on the day. A rocket from the right side left the Huntington netminder stunned. Katzmann netted two and continued his strong play this season and Pilch rung up his first of the season. Attackmen McNamara and Minardi threw key passes to cutters and only outstanding play by the Huntington goalie prevented tallies. Middies Coleman (11 ground balls) and Brendan Conroy turned in outstanding efforts. Bradley Harmeyer and Garrett Cramer played tough against a quick and aggressive Huntington team. Defensively, Troia, Gaudio and Collins again played a key part in thwarting some Huntington runs but Manhasset never got on track and lost 7-5.

A week off from games but hard practices will prepare Manhasset for another tough showdown against West Islip on May 1 at 4:30 p.m. on the turf at Manhasset High School.