As West Islip Patch looks back at the big stories that touched our community in 2012, no year-end review would be complete without remembering the state title run by the high school’s boys lacrosse team.
The 2012 squad not only continued the program’s winning tradition, but the victory came at a time when West Islip as a community needed to put aside the squabbling and worry over school closures and focus on a wonderful accomplishment by a group of student/athletes.
A season that started on a chilly late March afternoon with a blowout win over Middle County, ended on warm early June day in Middletown, NY, as the Lions topped Ithaca 12-7 to capture the New York State Class A title.
Any doubts that West Islip could win a state title without the likes of a Justin Turri or Nicky Galasso were erased. The 2012 Lions, led by Head Coach Scott Craig, had its goal scorers in Tom Moore and Brendan Smith. But it was the defense that ruled the season as Anthony Santo and goalie Jack Kelly led a defensive corps that could not be beat.
So before we turn our attention to the 2013 campaign, which starts in late March, here’s a pictorial look back at the 2012 championship season.
