The West Islip Lions lacrosse team will play for the Suffolk County Class A championship at 8 p.m. at Stony Brook University against arch rival Ward Melville. West Islip is the top ranked team while Ward Melville is ranked second. The two teams have met the last five years for the county title with West Islip winning all five games. The Lions are trying to repeat as state champions.
How They Got There
The Lions played in the county semifinals against Connetquot on May 28, winning 13-9. It certainly wasn't the best game the Lions have played this season, but West Islip showed its depth. The Lions got three goals from All-American Nicky Galasso and Mike Sagle and two goals each from a strong supporting cast of Rob Moore, Andrew Hodgson and Matt Gebhardt as well as a goal from Drew Federico. Goaltender Kyle Turri also played a strong game.
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Ward Melville defeated Smithtown West 4-3 in a low scoring affair. Ward Melville took the lead in the fourth quarter and didn't relinquish it.
Players to Watch For
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You can't speak about West Islip Lions lacrosse without mentioning Galasso. He is not only a constant threat on the field, but he performs consistently while drawing the other team's attention every game. But Galasso isn't the only player to keep an eye on for the Lions. In the semifinals against Connetquot, Sagl scored three goals in the first half. Hodgson can also score and is capable of playing solid defensively and creating turnovers. Also, keep an eye on Moore, who not only had two goals against Connetquot but added six assists.
Nick Giampaolo scored the game-winner against Smithtown. The Lions must also watch Kevin McElhone, who scored six goals in a game against Sachem North earlier this year.
Last Meeting
The teams met on May 5 with West Islip winning 16-5 on four goals by Hodgson and three each by Galasso and Gebhardt.
What It Will Take for West Islip
Although the Lions advanced to the county finals, head coach Scott Craig believes the team is capable of playing better defensively than it did against Connetquot. "I think we'll bounce back," he said. "We've been playing solid defense so I think we'll come back [defensively]."
On a Hot Streak
After losing their opening game of the season, the West Islip Lions haven't lost. They head into tonight's county finals with a 17-game winning streak.
Since losing to West Islip on May 5, Ward Melville has won five straight games.
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