Clarke racking up the wins

Clarke boys’ lacrosse has already doubled last year’s win total.

The Rams (3-10 in 2022) notched their sixth victory this spring, defeating Sewanhaka, 13-4, in a Conference C/D matchup April 27 behind seven points from junior Lucas Barsuaskas (five goals, two assists) and a hat trick from senior Justin Somyak.

“We’re a hard-working team that’s competing every game,” Clarke coach Joe Hasbrouck said. “Doubling last year’s win total with a bunch of games to go is great. I’d like to see us get back to moving the ball as well as we did earlier in the season, but there’s not much to complain about.”

Senior Gabe Cobham added two goals and two assists, and senior Nick Iannucci scored twice in the latest victory which upped the Rams’ record to 6-3. Sewanhaka goaltender Jaylen Brown made 17 saves.

Barsuaskas, Cobham and Iannucci, all midfielders, are leading the playoff charge, Hasbrouck said. Barsuaskas has 22 goals and 15 assists; Cobham 16 goals and 17 helpers, and Iannucci 11 goals and 8 assists.

“Lucas takes almost all the draws and is probably our best groundball guy,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s always going at 100 percent and even though he’s not the biggest kid, he’s tough to play against.”

Cobham is one of just a few left-handed shots the Rams possess. “Gabe being lefty gives us a different look from the other side of the field since we’re righty dominant,” Hasbrouck said.

The leaders on attack are Somyak, fellow senior Aidan Peters and junior Joey Kern. Somyak likes to play at a fast pace, the coach noted, and has found the back of the net 19 times. Kern, new to varsity, is showing steady development and has 13 goals. Peters has 10 goals to go with 8 assists.

Peters’ vision and smart decisions are keys to making the offense tick, Hasbrouck said. “Aidan does some good work behind the cage and knows when to attack and when to be patient,” Hasbrouck said.

Clarke’s most-accomplished player is its last line of defense. Senior goaltender Joe Buffolino is a third-year starter who recently posted back-to-back games with 19 and 17 saves. “Joe is an excellent athlete and it shows in the cage,” Hasbrouck said. “He’s progressed considerably over the years. He’ll not only make the routine saves, he’ll make the ones that look like they might be going in.”

Buffalino made eight stops in a 12-9 victory over Elmont on April 21 in a game Hasbrouck said the Rams had to grind out. “Elmont is big and physical and did a nice job defending us one-on-one,” Hasbrouck said. “It was one of those games where we found a way.”

On defense, senior Dan McGrady returned after sitting out 2022, and junior Steven Patti returned after missing last spring with an injury. “They’re two important pieces we added back,” Hasbrouck said.

The Rams opened the campaign 4-1, with wins over Freeport, Hempstead, Uniondale and West Hempstead.