Thursday, October 1, 2026
Though most of its bigger tests lay ahead, Long Beach’s boys’ lacrosse team is playing like a well-oiled machine and appears to have all the ingredients for a deep run in the Nassau Class B playoffs after reaching the Class A semifinals in 2011.
“We brought back almost our entire team and we’re seeing the benefits of the kids playing year-round,” coach Jim Kasper said last Monday after the Marines upped their season-opening winning streak to five games with a 15-2 victory over Calhoun. “It’s a really talented and dedicated group,” he added. “They’re all friends and it makes for great chemistry.”
The Marines have scored in double figures in every game so far, but a trip to defending county Class B champion Garden City this Thursday will threaten the streak. The Trojans are 5-0 as well and blanked Carey in the Conference B-I opener. “Athletically and skill-wise, we can match up with anyone,” Kasper said. “We’ll see how we stack up against Garden City.”
Senior attack Joe Radin, who led Nassau in scoring a year ago with 81 points, has picked up where he left off. He had two goals and three assists in the win over Calhoun and already has 26 points through five games. “Joe’s has a tremendous lefty shot and knows how to finish,” Kasper said of the All-County performer bound for Marist. “He can also power his way to the goal.”
Radin is part of a prolific unit that includes senior Connor Sofield, another All-County performer, and senior Alex Ehrlich, who began the year as a reserve but developed into a major contributor with a dozen goals in the last three games. Sofield, a four-year starter set to attend Holy Cross, is the “quarterback of the offense,” Kasper said. “He’s a great athlete who does it all,” he said of Sofield, who also spends time at midfield.
Depth in the middle is what could separate the Marines from most opponents, Kasper said. “We’re running eight to nine kids there every game,” he said.
Junior James Forkin, an All-County midfielder with a verbal commitment to Syracuse according to Kasper, is the “whole package.” He can play at the highest college level, Kasper said, and along with Sofield (four goals in a 14-8 win over Lynbrook on March 29) and seniors Matt Sheehan and Jake Shapiro spark Long Beach’s transition game. Seniors Rich Tagliagambe and Kevin Rourke, junior William Kane, sophomore Josh Ayzenberg, and freshman Chris Parler also contribute plenty. Junior Jake Brown is one of Nassau’s top long poles.
On defense, the Marines boast a trio of three-year starters. Seniors Kris Horvath, Adam Salvadori and Joseph Brand are all workhorses in the back. “They’re all athletic and any one of them can be a lockdown guy,” Kasper said. Senior goalie Mike Rourke is a returning starter and backed up by Brendan McNally.
“Our expectations are higher than ever,” Kasper said. “I think we have a chance to win it all.”
