Youth leads way for Wantagh

Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team entered 2015 with a youthful roster, but the Warriors aren’t without experience.

Wantagh got contributions from underclassmen during last year’s 13-5 season that ended with a Class B quarterfinal playoff loss to Garden City, and coach John Cuiffo hopes that experience carries into this year.

“We’re a very young team but we have guys with a lot of experience,” Cuiffo said. “We expect to compete and be there right at the end.”

Some of the younger players who stepped into big offensive roles last year have already committed to play at the college level including junior attackman Dylan Beckwith (Fairfield), who tallied 11 points on five goals and six assists in a 12-6 season-opening win at Seaford on March 25. Junior midfielder Kyle Sliwak (Hofstra) and sophomore attackman Casey Murphy (High Point) are also big focal points of the offense.

Providing senior leadership on offense is senior Pace-bound midfielder Vinny Vasheo, who registered 27 points as a junior. Other offensive contributors Cuiffo expects to set up include Bruno Surace, Richie Russo, Matt Robins and John Burke.

Wantagh should get plenty of extra processions this season thanks to sophomore faceoff specialist Joe Fitzpatrick. The St. John’s-bound Fitzpatrick captured 18 of 22 faceoffs in the win at Seaford.

The defense is anchored by 6-1 senior Ralph Sommer. The Marist-bound senior leads a deep group of defenders that also includes Sean Colbert, Pat Harrington, Ryan Droluk, Mark Buchner, Kyle Loney, Matt Maniet and Niko Tsakos.

Junior Bobby Casey steps into the starting goalie position after playing behind senior Bob Beshlian last year. Casey, who has committed to play at Hofstra, was voted by his teammates one of three captains along with Vasheo and Sommer.

“He’s a leader and that is what you need from a goalie,” said Cuiffo of Casey, who recorded nine saves against Seaford. “He has great size.” Backing up Casey is sophomore Michael Kessler, who made three saves late in the Seaford victory.

Wantagh competes in Class B, which Cuiffo described as “deep with a lot of good teams.” Among the squads Cuiffo expects to be vying for a title are defending county champion Lynbrook, Garden City, Manhasset and Carey. He is hoping the Warriors can compete for a league title in Conference B-1 and be in position for a playoff run come the middle of May.

“We’re looking to get a top five seed,” said Cuiffo. “We want to be there in the end.”

Memory of DeVerna Lives On
Wantagh is continuing its tradition this season of honoring former boys lacrosse player Scott DeVerna, who died in his sleep in 1999. Since DeVerna’s traffic death, a Wantagh player has been selected each season to wear his number 22 jersey number with the honor this season going to Sommer. Three college lacrosse seniors from Wantagh are also wearing 22 this season including Ryan Walsh of Colgate, Brandon Mangan of Yale, and John Reicherter of Hofstra.