The Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team has had another season where it looks to make a run for a Nassau county championship. The team is led again by veteran coaches John Cuiffo and James Polo with new coach Lou Lago.

The season started with the annual “22 dinner” where the team honors the late Scott DaVerna who was a player for Wantagh up until his death in 1999. Each season the player known as the best overall leader is voted on to wear 22 in honor of him and this season the team voted for senior Matt Robbins. The other captains are seniors Casey Murphy, Sean Colbert and Devin Kennedy.

Wantagh has started the season with a 5-3 record in a very competitive conference B-1 which includes Manhasset and Garden City, two national powerhouse programs. The team’s biggest win of the season so far was against a solid South Side team, 10-6.

“We came out ready to play and from the first whistle we were flying to the ball and winning ground balls,” said Casey Murphy. “We moved the ball, were not selfish and finished shots.”

In a close second-half game, goalie Michael Kessler made three of his 14 saves down two men down in the third quarter. Kennedy scored three goals and Robbins had a goal and four assists.
Starting attack include Chris Tucker and Anthony Teresky.

The defense is anchored by Kessler, who missed the first few games due to an illness. “He’s our brick wall,” said Murphy.

Sean Colbert is a solid defender. “Colbert has good offball defense and has good man to man coverage,” said Kessler, who added that Jack Conklin has also stepped up his defense. Patrick Harrington contributes on defense from his midfield position.

The team took a trip to Philadelphia and took on a very tough Springfield (Delco) squad and dropped a 10-5 decision. But it bounced back with a win against Connecticut’s Joel Barrow High School. In Philly the boys ate cheese steaks and drove past the Philadelphia Art Museum steps made famous by Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky.

Murphy says a key to being successful is: “Moving the ball quickly and not being selfish while recognizing the open man.”