Sluggish Lions Top Sachem East

West Islip moved to 6-1 on the season with a 10-5 victory over Sachem East in a boys lacrosse contest played in summer-like conditions at Sachem East High School on Tuesday. The Flaming Arrows are now 3-5 on the season.

The Lions started strong behind first quarter goals from Jack McKenna, Jon Resse and two from Tom Moore.

Throughout the first half West Islip’s offense looked crisp and its defense, which has been rock solid throughout the season, frustrated Sachem East and the Lions went to the half with an 8-2 lead.

In the second half West Islip came out sluggish and was outscored 3-2 in the second half, much to the chagrin of Lions head coach Scott Craig.

“We were up 8-2 at the half and gave them a goal by not doing the right thing on a ride,” he said. “I think the kids thought the game was over. They did not expend the energy they needed to keep up the same pace we had in the first half.”

While West Islip was not sharp, Sachem East could not take advantage. When they did get opportunities, Lions netminder Jack Kelly was there to make several key saves.

The Lions played Sachem East without midfielder Nick Aponte, who missed the game with a shoulder injury sustained this past Friday against . Craig said he expected Aponte to practice Wednesday and be ready for Thursday’s heavyweight contest at Smithtown West (8-0).

The game vs. the Bulls is a rematch of the 2011 Suffolk County Class A Championship game on a Brendan Smith overtime goal.

Craig said the game will likely come down to which team can control face-offs.

“I think it will just be a case of who posses the ball,” he said. “If we do that we’ll be alright.”

Key for West Islip will be neutralizing Smithtown West’s Craig Madarasz, who is bound for Johns Hopkins. In wins over Yorktown and Ward Melville this season, the senior midfielder won 14-of-16 face-offs and 15-of-20 face-offs respectively against the two teams.

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