On Tuesday night at Hosftra University's Shuart Stadium, the West Islip Lions proved why they are regarded as the top lacrosse program in the nation. The Lions scored 12 straight goals to claim the Long Island Class A Championship for the second consecutive time and six of the last seven years.
It was a very physical game early on as both teams tried to find their offensive rhythm. Defensemen were on their toes early in the first quarter playing tough, man-to-man defense. The Lions first goal didn't come until Nicky Galasso scored with 1:32 left in the opening quarter. The Lions feasted on the Dalers for the rest of the game.
The Lions offensive was on cruise control the entire game. Senior Rob Moore scored both of his goals in the second quarter weaving in and out of the Farmingdale defense. Galasso scored his third before halftime when he unloaded a shot into the back of net off a pass from junior Drew Federico. At halftime, goaltender Kyle Turri had eight saves for the Lions as he blanked the Dalers offense.
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Lions made it look easy in the third when defensemen Ed Ryan snatched the ball out of the air to begin an attack for the Lions. Five different players touched the ball in a 15 second span with Federico capping off the textbook attack. Andrew Hodgson's spin move and goal a minute later gave West Islip an 8-0 lead.
By the end of the third quarter, the Lions had an 11-0 lead and were putting on a show for the crowd. Galasso scored his fifth and the team's 12th consecutive goal with 10 minutes left in the game. He exited the game shortly after as did many of the West Islip starters. Turri came off the field with seven minutes remaining, recorded 11 saves, and allowed not a single goal
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"This was a huge game and our team played great," Turri said.
The Lions held the Dalers scoreless for almost 42 minutes until they finally wiped their goose egg off the scoreboard with 6:04 remaining in the game. For the remainder of the game, starters Hodgson, Galasso, Sagl, and Federico were on the sideline watching the Lions capture the Long Island Championship once again.
In just five days the West Islip Lions won two championships (Suffolk County and Long Island) and scored 29 goals. Coach Scott Craig commented on the Lions amazing feat saying, "There are four days left and two more championships [downstate championship and New York State championship] to win."
West Islip will now take on Lakeland/Panas High School from Shrub Oak, New York on Thursday at 8 p.m. at Hofstra as the next step in their quest to repeat as state champions.
