By Andrew Coen
It was the second time in three years that Hewlett sent lacrosse players to represent Long Island at the Empire Games, and the first time a Bulldog player has brought home a gold medal for the sport. The all-county midfielder, who will be a senior at Hewlett next season, scored three goals and tallied two assists in helping Long Island to a 5-0 record and the gold medal in the Olympic-style event. Long Island clinched the gold medal with a 18-6 win over Central New York on July 29 and capped off an undefeated record with a 19-5 win against Adirondack the following day.
"It was awesome," said Denapoli of participating in the prestigious annual competition which brings together the state's best athletes in a variety of sports. "It surpassed my expectations."
Denapoli's older brother Dom, who competed for Long Island in the 2004 Empire Games, currently plays at St. John's. Attackman Alfredo Lamanna, who will be a senior at Hewlett next season, nearly joined his Bulldog teammate in the elite competition by making the cut for the top 50 players during tryouts before being dropped just prior to the games. Two years ago, Dom Denapoli, along with Max Seibald, who now plays for Cornell, won a silver medal for Long Island in the Empire Games.
"I'm very, very happy for Steven," said Hewlett Coach Chris Passuello. "He's a very hard worker and deserves everything he gets."
By sending three Hewlett players to the Empire Games in a two-year period, Hewlett is demonstrating the rapid progression of the lacrosse team since the program was started a decade ago. Hewlett has made three straight playoff appearances, including capturing a Nassau County title in 2005, and is expected to have a very competitive team in 2007, according to Passuello.
Denapoli said what made the Empire Games so much fun was that his team won every game, as well as the friendships he made with his fellow Long Island players. Denapoli also said he felt the experience of living in the University of Rochester dorms will help him next year when he makes the adjustment to college life. Denapoli, who is also a quarterback on Hewlett's football team, said that for nearly the entire month of July he was practicing with his Long Island teammates preparing for the Empire Games, which will only enhance how he performs this season.
"I was playing lacrosse with the best kids on Long Island almost every day," he said. "Playing with the best kids is only going to make you better."
Denapoli, like his brother, has dawn interest from Division 1 schools, including the University of Massachusetts, Stony Brook, Rutgers, Delaware, St.. John's and Hobart. Lamanna has also drawn interest from Division 1 schools, according to Passuello.
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