Thursday, October 1, 2026
Aided by a senior heavy roster, the Clarke boys lacrosse team has taken a big step this spring and finds itself in the mix for a league title,
The Rams entered the week at 10-2 overall and 5-0 in Conference C-D with four games remaining. Clarke has already far exceeded its win total from last year’s 7-9 campaign and is in line to tackle postseason games in mid-May.
“We've been competitive in every game and It feels like they bought into what the coaches are emphasizing,” said Clarke boys lacrosse head coach Joe Hasbrouck. “It’s been a good start and is nice to see the results kick in for them.”
Clarke made it seven wins in its last eight games with an 8-7 overtime non-league victory over Bellmore JFK last Thursday on a winning goal from senior midfielder Liam Morgan with 2:30 left in the extra session. Morgan and sophomore attackman Everett Barsuaskas both tallied three goals in the win.
Morgan (41 goals, 14 assists) leads a veteran midfield unit comprising fellow seniors David Quesada and Justin Montez. Hasbrouck credited Morgan with improving his game off of his junior campaign in which he registered 36 goals.
“He has really expanded on his game as far as his understanding of how we're trying to get him to play, what our offense wants to look like,” Hasbrouck said. “Last year he was much more of a dominant dodger scorer and this year he is more of a do-it-all player.”
Hasbrouck said Quesada has been a crucial part of setting up the offense with his dodging ability as a lefty. Quesada recorded three goals in Clarke’s 9-5 win against Hempstead on April 20.
Hasbrouck said continued strong play of Barsuaskas, who is the team’s second-leading scorer with 25 goals, will be a major factor in determining how far Clarke's playoff run lasts.
“Because we're already so senior-dominant and midfield-dominant he really helps balance us out and provide a spark down with the attack,” Hasbrouck said. “He keeps us balanced on the offensive side where we can create an attack from both up top and underneath the goal.”
Junior Will Grassini has also been an integral component of the offense helping the Rams gain extra possessions from the faceoff X.
Senior Joe DiGesu has led a close-defense unit that also features senior Ryan Connolly and junior Alex Hall. Junior long stick defensive midfielder Kieran Reynolds has also been key to the defense, particularly setting up transition opportunities on clears.
Senior goalie Denis Alvarez has stepped up as starting net-minder after serving as backup goalie llast year and made 14 saves in the Bellmore JFK triumph..
“He has really stepped up to the occasion and has made the saves he should be making,” Hasbrouck said. “He's athletic in the goal and is really helping us get the ball out into our clearing game too.”
Clarke will look to keep the winning ways going at Malvene/EastRockaway this Friday for a 5 p.m. faceoff before traveling to Great Neck South Monday. The Rams close the regular season May 14 at home against Elmont at 5 p.m.
