Uphill battle for West Hempstead

West Hempstead is hoping to build off a season that yielded five victories in 2011. However, with a program that continues to be a work in progress, and a very difficult schedule, the road figures to be a bumpy one for the Rams in '12.  

After picking up a pair of victories in its first two games of the year, West Hempstead has lost four straight contests. The Rams are 2-4, 0-2 in conference play after being beaten handily by Locust Valley last Friday afternoon, 11-2. Danny Sheeler scored both goals for West Hempstead.

Dom Carre, in his third year as head coach, understands the challenge of trying to build a program in a county that is home to some of the country’s top programs. “It’s difficult to get to where we want to be without a feeder program, and without many players who compete in lacrosse year round,” Carre said. “Our numbers are very good this year. We have 28 on the varsity, and 20 on the JV. Hopefully, it’s a step in the right direction.”

Sheeler is the type of player who provides Carre with optimism. The senior midfielder has scored 14 goals in six games, including six tallies in an 8-1 victory over Long Island Lutheran. Sheeler, who has signed on to play football and lacrosse at SUNY Brockport, is a groundball hawk who dodges well and has a terrific shot. He earned Honorable Mention All-County recognition as a junior.

Junior Giancarlo Proietti is another talented middie. Proietti has three goals and an assist in the early going. Senior Bruno Devito is one of West Hempstead’s threats at attack. Devito, who has good vision and passes well, leads the team with five helpers. Carre has high hopes for Daniel Njoku. The junior attackman is strong and athletic, and should be able to fill up the net.

The defensive unit, one of the strengths of last year’s team, is working toward respectability. Junior Michael Petrizzo, a middie on the junior varsity last season, has done a terrific job on defense. Petrizzo also handles face off responsibilities for the Rams. Sophomore Christian Jean-Louis is a talented player with plenty of upside. Senior James Gomez rounds out the back row for West Hempstead.

Senior goalie Nick Lucurcio will be in the cage for the Rams. Lucurcio had six saves in a 7-3 win over Glen Cove in the season opener, and followed it up by nearly blanking Long Island Lutheran.  

The Rams visit Malverne/East Rockaway for a non-conference game on Tuesday at 10 a.m. They’ll play two more on the road, at Mineola and Seaford, before returning home to face North Shore April 25.