The Manhasset Indians boys varsity lacrosse team has started the 2006 season fast, with a five game winning streak in which the Indians have outscored a variety of conference "B" and "C" opposition 71-25.

With a host of big games looming on the horizon, the big news so far for this Indian squad is the plateau of 500 wins reached by Head Coach Alan Lowe and Assistant Coach Bob Rule, who have coached the Indians since the spring of 1975. This puts Coach Lowe firmly in the number three spot in all time Nassau County wins and fourth on Long Island.

Coaches Lowe and Rule have been successful since they began in Manhasset. Their first two teams won Nassau County Championships in 1975 and 1976. And they've won more, including four of the past five seasons. In total, the Indians have won nine County Championships, and seven Long Island Championships during the Lowe and Rule leadership.

On the NY State level, they have won two championships, including the talent-rich 1995 team and the remarkably dominant 20-0 effort in 2004 in which the team was also voted the number one team in the nation.

To date this year, the Indians have come out strong in dominating Levittown Division (15-2), Lynbrook (12-1), Clarke (15-6), Friends (16-8) and Seaford (13-8) this past Saturday in a rain-drenched and muddy Seaford field.

The Indians are a senior-led squad, with two Empire State players in midfielder Terrence Molinari (co-captain) and Defender Tom Dodge, two-time All-County Goalie Patrick Judge (co-captain) and All Conference Midfielder Matt Sutherland (co-captain).

Seniors providing major contributions through the first five games have been attackmen Billy Bitter, Tommy McDonnell, Brian Fleishhacker, and Anthony Tompkins. Midfielders Frank Coughlin, Matt Heske, John Brugal, and Matt Brennan have been facing off and running the field, and holding down the fort while Terrence Molinari has been recovering from shoulder surgery. The strong, veteran defensive unit includes seniors Scott Madison, Greg Boukas and Mike Torpe.

On Saturday, April 15, at 11a.m., the Indians travel to Garden City HS for the latest Woodstick Classic game. It is the oldest lacrosse rivalry in the country and many expect will be a hard fought, closely contested match.