High School West boys lacrosse won local bragging rights on Friday night defeating High School East 11-5 in the Division I season closer.
"I think from start to finish we played our best overall game," said West Head Coach Bobby Moltisanti Jr.
The West Bulls won nearly four times as many faceoffs as East thanks to senior midfielder Joe Varello. It gave High School West control of the field and fueled their aggressive, quick-striking offense.
The West Bulls took control at the start of the second half when senior Pat O`Brien scored two goals, with one assist by senior George Schultz, followed by a goal junior Christian Zawadzki. This gave West the first clear lead of the game, putting them up 8-5.
High School East's goalie senior Brian Balkam made 25 saves in efforts to keep his team in the game, despite a relentless volley of shots from West's attackers.
"Balkam is a heck of a player. He drives your shooters crazy. You are doing everything right offensively, then he'll come up with a spectacular save on the doorstep," said Moltisanti. "You just have to be patient. We did just that."
West continued to break the game wide open in the fourth quarter scoring three unanswered goals, one each by Varello, O`Brien and junior Ryan Keenan. O`Brien led West scoring three goals overall during the match.
The win brings West's division record to 12-2, and overall record to 14-2. Smithtown East will end their Division I with a record of 11-3. The first round of boys lacrosse playoffs start on May 16.
East
Dan Rooney 1 goal, 1 assist
Scott Scannell 1 goal, 1 assist
Jimmy Tenbrink 1 goal, 1 assist
Peter Triolo 1 goal
Brian Willetts 1 goal
West
Frank Brier 1 goal
Ryan Keenan 1 goal, 1 assist
Drew Madarez 1 goal
Brian Masi 1 goal
Pat O`Brien 3 goals
George Schultz 1 goal, 1 assist
Joe Varello 1 goal
Christian Zawadzki 2 goals
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