Ups and downs for Malverne/East Rockaway

It’s been a streaky season for the Malverne/East Rockaway boys’ lacrosse team. After winning five of its first six games, Malverne/East Rockaway went on a three-game losing streak, dropping consecutive contests to Levittown Division, Glen Cove, and Great Neck North.

The team rebounded with back-to-back victories over Lawrence and an up-and-coming Oyster Bay team. In the latter, senior Gerard Clayton scored with just 30 seconds to play in overtime to give Malverne/East Rockaway a 6-5 road win. Junior James Eacobacci added a pair of goals and two assists. 

Malverne/East Rockaway held a 5-4 lead with 45 seconds to play in regulation, but the Baymen scored a fluky goal after a scramble for possession in front of the cage to tie things up. Late in a back-and-forth overtime session, Clayton dodged right and bounced the ball past James LoRusso for the winner. The goal was Clayton’s second overtime tally of the season. Senior goalie Ian Reill had 13 saves. 

Just days earlier, Malverne/East Rockaway, which has an overall record of 7-4, soundly defeated visiting Lawrence 12-5. Eacobacci and Clayton, who leads the team with 20 goals, each had four goals and an assist. A.J. Evans, Chris Hackett, Bryce Todd, and Matt Daube all found the back of the net for Malverne/East Rockaway. Reill registered nine saves.

Head coach Mike Whalen, who is assisted by Brian Redash, feels his team still has it in them to get better, and to play in the postseason. “We’re working hard and improving every day,” Whalen said. “We’re probably going to need to win three of our last four games to make the playoffs. We’re just taking it a game at a time. This is a resilient bunch. We lost a game that we really should have won against Glen Cove, but we bounced back.”

In the loss to Glen Cove, Malverne//East Rockaway, which was playing shorthanded, fell behind 3-1 early and never recovered in a 10-8 loss. Clayton scored three goals to lead the scoring. Senior Demitri Vita scored twice. 

Whalen made note of steady play from senior Jack Crawford and junior Jack Lark. Malverne/East Rockaway will close out its season with league games against Wheatley, North Shore, Floral Park, and Hewlett. The top eight teams in the conference qualify for postseason play.

Malverne/East Rockaway will host North Shore on Friday at Malverne High School at 4:30 p.m.