Hewlett targeting playoff success

The Hewlett boys’ lacrosse program has seen a revival since the PAL youth program was reinstalled seven years ago. 

The Bulldogs are on their way to a fourth straight playoff berth after a 7-5 start – 6-4 in Conference C-D. 

But senior midfielder, Luke Rochler, has no delusions of grandeur. It’s good enough Hewlett is back on the lacrosse map.

“We have a mission and set goals,’’ Rochler said. “We’re not here to win the county title. It’s probably the hardest county to play lacrosse in the whole country, maybe the whole world. The goal is to win more lacrosse games than we lose. We’ve been doing that and want to be doing that by the end of the season. We’re having success.’’

With a bothersome zone defense, balanced scoring led by Rochler’s 18 goals and 14 assists and sturdy goaltending by junior Daniel Lankri, coach Dale Pescitelli feels Hewlett is in a favorable spot. He hopes to snare a No. 9 or 10 playoff seed with the aim of advancing further than last year’s first-round KO against Bethpage. 

“We’re on target for what we were expecting,’’ Pescitelli said. “There were two games that could’ve gone either way against top-notch opponents.’’

Pescitelli was referring to a 6-4 loss against powerhouse Floral Park and an 11-7 defeat to Island Trees when it coughed up a 4-3 lead. 

Last Saturday, Hewlett was beaten by North Shore, 13-5, but that was not indicative of this team’s potential. Because of spring break, Hewlett was missing five starters against North Shore – four away on vacation. 

More telling was its 4-3 victory at Locust Valley – Hewlett’s highlight win and third straight year it has beaten a north-shore-area power.   

“It’s our family bond,’’ Pescitelli said of Hewlett’s renaissance. “We’re starting to see the revamp of the PAL program and those players rising up, building a foundation to where we’re getting back to what they used to be.’’

Three games remain – against West Hempstead, Seaford and the regular-season finale versus Lynbrook on May 8. That one is circled on Rochler’s calendar.

“That’s the only one that matters,’’ Rochler said. “That game means a lot to us. For three years I’ve watched them beat us as crosstown rivals. I hate watching that happen. We got some friends over there but the love for the rivalry, we all share of that.’’ 

Rochler has had a lot of help on offense with four others with 20-plus points. Freshman Myles King Ryan Rovener, who will play at Cortland, and sophomore Jason Rick have totaled points in the 30’s. And  Stefano Borsellino has 20 points.

Add netminder Lankri, whose .667 save percentage has given Hewlett its ability to play a soft zone. “We give up shots, we allow opponents to take 15-yard shots and hopefully they’ll get frustrated,’’ Pescitelli said. 

Zachary Tucker is backbone of the defense and Rochler backbone of the team.

“I’m well-rounded,’’ Rochler said. “I take faceoffs. If I lose it, I’m on defense, clearing the ball. Then I’m on offense and then back on defense playing faceoffs. I try to do as much as I can. I don’t let the coach take me off the field. He tries to take me off and I won’t let him.’’

Rochler’s poise has given Hewlett hope in the playoffs. “I feel the best part of my game is controlling the game, holding the ball for a minute and let the clock run,’’ Rochler said. “It works against better teams.’’