Lynbrook responds after rough stretch

The Lynbrook boys’ lacrosse team bounced back in a big way after struggling through arguably its toughest part of the schedule.

After a 3-1 start, Lynbrook toiled through a gauntlet of some of Nassau’s top teams that eventually evened its record at 4-4. The Owls were competitive against those schools at times, trailing 2022 Nassau Class C finalist South Side by a goal after one quarter of their 13-5 loss on April 14 and being down just three at halftime at one-loss Plainedge five days later en route to a 12-4 defeat.

Those games helped first-year coach Bill Luzzi identify his team’s strengths and weaknesses and Lynbrook rebounded with a 14-9 home win over Mepham last Saturday night. Junior Anthony Capitali scored four times to double his season total and leading goal scorer Max Dantona recorded his fourth hat trick of the season to help the Owls’ put forth their best offensive output of the season.

“It’s always very good to be tested early in the season because it exposes what you need to work on and to improve as we move through the season,” he said. “To face tough teams early on lets you know what you need to get better at and where we need to be when we hit the end of the season and try to get to our peak status by then.”

Lynbrook’s previous highs were 11 goals against Mineola on April 17 and 10 in the season opener at Oceanside. Dantona broke a 9-all tie late in the game against the Sailors and had one of his other hat tricks against the Mustangs.

“He’s taken major steps to improve in maturity and recognizing situational team offense,” Luzzi said. “The more we can get him sharing the ball, the more goals will end up coming back his way.”

Senior Michael Fagen is the Owls’ leading point scorer with 25 after collecting two more goals against Mepham, upping his total in that category to 13. Junior midfielder Michael Henderickson continued his strong start with his ninth goal of the season.

Luzzi has been especially pleased with his defensive corps of seniors Sean O’Brien, Chris Lucchese and Tyler Denker as well as the long stick duo of sophomore Chris Paladino and senior Max Cordes. The unit overall is yielding just under 10 goals a game

“Sean and Chris work really well together and Tyler has been a dominant force in the middle of the field, knocking passes down and taking shots with his body,” Luzzi said.

Senior Jake Lunati has impressed in his first year as the starting varsity goaltender by averaging just over 13 saves a game. His season-high 18 stops helped Lynbrook edge Bethpage 6-5 on March 27.

Lynbrook is back home Friday to face Island Trees in what should be another tough battle.

“Island Trees just took Wantagh to overtime [and] they took us to overtime last year,” Luzzi said. “They are tough, they are scrappy and they’re out there to prove something.”