Hewlett seeks playoff success

First-year Hewlett coach Adam Hopkins is looking for the Bulldogs to shed the first-round playoff curse after failing to advance in the Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse playoffs in each of the past three seasons.

“We’ve had a really successful program over the last 10 years and want to keep it going,” said Hopkins, a member of the coaching staff since 2010. “We haven’t gotten the results yet, but we’ve got a hard-working group that’s capable of good things. We should be deeper offensively, and our defense has played strong despite replacing some key components.”

After losing to Oceanside and St. John The Baptist by a combined three goals out of the gate, the Bulldogs and Hopkins got in the win column with a 10-3 victory over Walsh-Jesuit of Ohio. Senior Mark Schweitzer had two goals and two assists, and junior Jimmy Anderson had a goal and three assists to lead a balanced attack.

Seeded second behind Manhasset in Conference B-II, Hewlett boasts two skillful playmakers in senior attack Zach Richman and junior midfielder Kevin Fuchs, along with a solid supporting cast. “We’re looking for a lot of names to show up in the boxscore,” Hopkins noted.

Richman, who had 65 points last spring and was named Honorable Mention All-County, is headed to Tufts. “Zach has all the tools and can do a little bit of everything,” Hopkins said. “He’s a great rider and finisher. He’ll draw the best defender and get doubled every game.” Richman opened the season with three goals and two assists in a 13-11 defeat to Oceanside.

With a combination of speed and grit, Fuchs is the team’s main offensive threat from the midfield. He put up 35 points a year ago, and like Richman had a hat trick and two assists in the opener. “Kevin’s a finesse player who also does a lot of dirty work,” Hopkins said. “He’s our main faceoff guy and leads our transition.”

Up front, the coach is counting on Anderson, freshman Jared Strauss and junior Anthony Iannaci to create balance and take pressure off Richman. Anderson registered 25 points as a sophomore and is a quality finisher around the cage. Strauss, set to return this week from an injury, got a taste of varsity action as an eighth-grader and can be an impact player. Iannaci, coming off a strong JV campaign, scored twice in his varsity debut and has a nose for the net.

The midfield has a good deal of experience with seniors Joe Curiel and Spencer Posner, as well as juniors Gio Pugliese, Gianluca Vardaro and Ben Lampert. Sophomore Malcolm Kahn is a developing long pole middie with speed and athleticism.

The defense is spearheaded by senior returnees Logan Calman and Jordan Davis, while junior Michael Rubino steps into a starting role. Calman has assumed a leadership role and will get the toughest assignment on a daily basis. Senior Justin Isaacs tops the depth chart in goal. Isaacs and junior Jack Verschleiser had five saves apiece in the team’s first win.