A show of strength

The number 88 was ubiquitous at Veterans Field on May 11, as the Long Beach High School lacrosse team took on longtime rival Syosset. As the Marines sported the venerated jersey number in a show of solidarity for the team’s former captain, 2009 graduate Corey Lovrich, the Jacksonville University lacrosse star said that the support was overwhelming.

“For me, the biggest thing is all of the support I’m getting,” said 20-year-old Lovrich, who was diagnosed with stage three-colon cancer in April. “People I don’t really even know have been supporting me.”

At the game, which was dedicated to Lovrich, Long Beach defeated Syosset 13-7, likely earning a bye in the first round of the Nassau County Class A playoffs, which open this Friday.

Organizers said that there was a huge turnout for Lovrich from both the lacrosse community and Long Beach residents. Through T-shirt and bracelet sales and other donations at the game, the event raised more than $5,000 for Lovrich’s medical expenses.

“He’s a great kid,” said LBHS head varsity lacrosse coach Jim Kasper. “The kids like him, and he was a good teammate and they rallied around him. He’s going to fight this and we’re going to do everything we can to help him.”

The T-shirts — which read “C-Love 88” and features a graphic design of Lovrich playing lacrosse — sold out within 20 minutes, and organizers also sold blue bracelets that read “Cor-Strong.”

“The support has really been tremendous. My family and I really appreciate all the support we’ve been getting and everything that has been done,” said Lovrich’s brother, Bryan.

Kasper said it wasn’t hard for the team and the community to rally around Lovrich after they learned about his diagnosis. After all, Lovrich is known as a lacrosse hero in Long Beach, Kasper said, having played the sport throughout his high school career.

As a freshman, Kasper said he immediately noticed Lovrich’s talent and tapped him for the varsity team. Lovrich later became its captain, and helped lead the team to memorable wins and eventually clinched All County honors in his junior and senior years, Kasper said.