Owls inexperienced but dangerous

Despite the return of only three starters from last year’s team that reached the Nassau Class B quarterfinals, Lynbrook boys’ lacrosse coach Bill Leighley said the formula the Owls used to beat Oceanside, 7-2, in the opener is something they could bottle up.

“We possessed the ball well, made good things happen in transition, played solid defense and got very good goaltending,” he said. “Those are things we’re going to look to do all year.

“We graduated a lot of senior leadership,” he added. “Expectations of us might be down a bit, but we brought back a starter in every area and have talented guys to fill in.”

The Owls, seeded fifth in Conference B-II, will be led at the offensive end by senior midfielder Luke Spitzer and senior attack Anthony Rainone. Both will be playing at Adelphi in 2013.

Spitzer, coming off an All-County campaign, is “one of those special athletes,” Leighley said, and “someone we’re going to ask to do everything.” Spitzer picked up where he left off last spring, netting a hat trick and a pair of assists in the win at Oceanside.

Rainone, an Honorable Mention All-County selection, could play in the midfield at times. “We’re experimenting a little to get Anthony more opportunities to operate in space,” Leighley said. “He’s a great finisher around the cage with a quick release. He’s shooting before the goalie gets in position.”

Bolstering the offense is junior attack Nick LoCicero, who wasn’t expected to be ready for the start of the spring after a suffering a serious injury during football season. But he’s “pretty much 100 percent,” Leighley said, and notched two goals in the opener. “Nick’s a classic X player,” Leighley said. “He’s got good vision and can be a feeder and a scorer.”

Up front the Owls also feature senior Teddy Mutterperl (one goal, two assists in opener) and freshman Gordon Purdie.

Some opponents may have a tough time matching Lynbrook’s athleticism in the midfield. In addition to Spitzer, junior Matt Murphy and sophomores Joe Grossi and Mike McVeigh run the length of the field extremely well, Leighley said. “They’ll all contribute at both ends,” he said.

Spearheading the back row is senior All-Conference defender Johnny Emmerich, a three-sport athlete serving as one of this year’s captains. “He’s strong on the ball and tough to beat,” said Leighley, who is also counting on seniors Cory Yaeger and Brandon Peresiper, and junior Matt Mott, to lead the defense.

In goal, the offseason work ethic of senior Jake Siciliano has carried over to the spring. He was sharp in making 10 saves in the opener, and Leighley said it could be a sign of things to come. “Jake’s been on fire,” he said. “He dedicated himself to being the best he could be, and he’s completely confident and focused.”

The Owls face Floral Park, Bethpage, South Side, Manhasset, Roslyn, Helwett, Lawrence, and Glen Cove in conference games.