The West Islip Lions come into the preseason at number 13 in the LILJ top 24 rankings. They are the defending Suffolk Class B County Champions in what was a season to remember in 2023. Coming into the new season they’ll look much different with a high number of graduates in the 2023 class, but with those that do return, West Islip has high hopes for another memorable season, led by longtime Head Coach Tom Corcoran.
On the offensive side of the field between their attack and midfield, the Lions graduated a large amount of players who were part of last season’s offensive production, but of their returning players, they bring back their second leading scorer in junior attackman Derek Busking the Siena commit. He was able to score at ease last season, providing 41 goals along with 23 assists for 64 points. This season Busking will once again be a force for West Islip offense, as they will need another huge season from him with the loss of graduates Cole Sparks, Evan Aponte, Patrick Keenan and CJ Schwarz.
The midfield this season sees the return of Bucknell commit Quinn Reilly who is their leading scorer from the midfield on this year’s team, as he was good for 18 goals and seven assists for 25 points last year. Also, senior Stephen Trama (Bridgeport) and juniors Nick Henry and Nick Klimatas are in line for an increase in playing time this season to bolster the Lions offense which average just a shade under 10 goals per game last year.
Defensively the West Islip allowed fewer than eight goals per game last season, and although the defense did graduate key players from last year’s team, they will be led by St. John’s commit Kevin Cinotti at close defense, LSM Mick Faulkner the Fairfield commit, and short-stick defensive midfielder Brendan Obloj the senior committed to Flagler. With Cameron  Dorfman part of last year’s graduating class, they will have a new face protecting the net which looks to be senior Robert Govier, as West Islip aims for back-to-back Class B County Championships.
