Hewlett didn’t exactly enter the Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse playoffs projecting a positive vibe, having lost its last three regular-season games and averaging only 3.5 goals over the last four.
The Bulldogs made the most of a clean slate, however, knocking out visiting Herricks, 13-5, in a first-round playoff matchup between the No. 5 and 12 seeds played in a driving rainstorm Monday evening. Sam Rovner had five goals and two assists, Vincent Morello added four goals, and Jordan Epstein chipped in a pair of goals and four assists as the seniors led a breakout performance by the offense.
“It’s our season-high in goals,” Hewlett coach Jesse Corben said. “We’ve been in a slump. We scored only 14 goals total in the last four games, so it was nice to see a lot of guys contribute.”
Standout senior goaltender Max May, who is having an All-County caliber season according to Corben, made nine saves, upping his total on the year to 195 stops in 15 games. “Obviously this is coming from his coach, but I feel Max is the best goalie in the county,” Corben said. “He’s been incredible all season long.”
Hewlett (9-6 overall) advanced to face fourth-seeded Calhoun in the quarterfinals on Thursday afternoon. In a back-and-forth Conference B-1 finale on May 7, the Colts edged the Bulldogs 4-3 on an overtime goal by Hayden Pryor. “When the brackets came out, we were pumped to see if we advanced we’d get Calhoun,” said May, who had 16 saves against the Colts while counterpart Kyle Munson turned aside 13 Hewlett shots. “We’re excited to get a rematch,” he added. “We came into the playoffs hungry. It was good to see us get double digits in goals.”