High School Lacrosse Playoffs Start Thursday

The Suffolk County lacrosse playoffs begin Thursday and a West Islip team could make a run at a county title.

This year, however, it’s the high school girls’ team that could be in position for a long playoff run.

The No. 2 seed in Class A, West Islip (12-2, 14-2) opens the playoffs Monday against the winner of Friday’s Northport/Hauppauge contest. On April 26 the Lions beat Northport (9-5, 11-5) 12-11, and on May 9 West Islip defeated Hauppauge (8-6, 8-7) 11-9.

Following back-to-back losses to Bay Shore and Middle Country in early April, West Islip has won nine games in a row, which includes wins over Northport, Ward Melville and East Islip.

As the second seed, the Lions not only receive a first round bye but also has home games in the Suffolk Class A quarterfinals and semi-finals, the latter coming only if the Lions win their May 20 contest. The Class A title game is set for Thursday, May 30, at Dowling College Sports Complex.

The boys’ team finds themselves in an unusual position as the fifth seed in the Suffolk Class A playoffs. The Lions run at a 10th straight county title begins Thursday at home against Lindenhurst at 4:30 p.m. The winner would face the winner of the Smithtown East/Riverhead game, which is also being played on Thursday.

A perennial lacrosse power, the 2013 season has been a series of ups and downs for the Lions (10-4, 11-5). The squad was outplayed by Chaminade and Ward Melville, two of Long Island’s top lacrosse teams, and also was defeated by Smithtown East, the first time the Bulls have beaten West Islip.  

Editor’s note: Patch will provide coverage of both lacrosse teams throughout the playoffs.