Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Long Beach Marines are Nassau County hockey champions, capping a thrilling postseason run with resilience, depth, and a relentless drive that head coach Robert Carson called nothing short of amazing.
“It’s been incredible,” Carson said. “Last year we fell short so it was nice to get some payback.”
Long Beach swept defending champion Bellmore-Merrick for the title, including a double overtime thriller in Game 2.
The Marines’ hunger was evident from the opening puck drop of the playoffs. On Feb. 4, they dominated Bethpage in a 7-0 shutout victory, setting the tone for what would become a statement run. Liam Young and captain Michael Calvi each scored twice in the rout, showcasing the offensive firepower that would carry Long Beach through the postseason.
Two days later, the Marines overwhelmed Manhasset/Great Neck/Port Washington, 7-2. In a testament to their depth, seven different players found the back of the net: Caleb Kallelis, Miles Siegel, Luke Pichichero, Kelly Cardo, Cody Pichichero, Young and Calvi. The balanced scoring reflected a team first philosophy that has defined this group all season.
“The way that they all contribute,” Carson said. “Whether you’re a freshman or a senior, everyone gets along. You’d think they have all played together forever. Guys have come up from the JV team and fit right in. Everything just clicked from the jump and it was very important to have that connection during the playoffs. We had a ton of confidence.”
That confidence was tested in the finals against Bellmore-Merrick. In Game 1 on Feb. 9, the Marines edged out a 3-2 win behind goals from Calvi, Cody Pichichero, and Luke Pichichero. The tight contest foreshadowed the drama to come.
Game 2 on Feb. 11 was an instant classic. The teams needed double overtime to decide a champion. Junior alternate captain and playoff MVP Young delivered the decisive blow, scoring the game-winning goal in a 5-4 victory to seal the county title.
“When we trailed, it was a little scary but we knew we could do it,” Calvi said. “Finishing the revenge tour by beating Bellmore-Merrick was the perfect ending to a perfect season.”
Leadership proved central to the Marines’ success. Calvi, the captain, led by example with key goals throughout the finals. Luke Pichichero anchored the senior class, while Young emerged as the postseason’s MVP. Junior Cody Pichichero, Luke’s younger brother, demonstrated his versatility by contributing two goals and an assist in the finals while seamlessly shifting between forward and defense.
Defensively, Long Beach relied on a steady rotation of Ryan Reilly, Will O’Shea, Gavin Hananel, and Hudson Brenke to protect one of the county’s stingiest nets. Behind them stood goalie Justin Mele, one of the top netminders all season with a goals against average under two. Carson praised his toughness and reliability.
“He’s just so tough back there,” Carson said of Mele. “Even if guys don’t make the right play, he’s there to back them up.”
For Luke Pichichero, the championship carried special meaning. “We never lost our confidence and trusted the process,” he said. “Being able to win in our senior year is something that I’ll cherish forever.”
