LI Lacrosse Journal
March 6, 2026
3 min read
No. 16 Half Hollow Hills Team Preview
March 6, 2026
3 min read
For the first time in program history, Half Hollow Hills Boy’s lacrosse was state champions in 2025, capping off a perfect 23-0 record en route to a dominant postseason run. The accolades poured in all year long for this team, including being given the top public school ranking in the country by the season’s end. The confetti hit the ground and the celebration was had, but now it’s back to work for a squad that graduated an abundance of blue chip talent over the course of the offseason. But even through a small rebuild, the target on their back is as big as it’s ever been for Half Hollow Hills. Everybody wants to take down the top dog, and it falls on Head Coach Connor Hagans and company to not let that happen. The title defense is on for Hills.
The mission to replace Anthony Raio (99 G, 77 A) and James Bruno (106 G, 13 A) on offense begins and ends with a simple realization: You can’t. To have two 100 point scorers on a single unit is an embarrassment of riches in itself, but that doesn’t insinuate an offense that averaged over 18 goals per game last year is just going to demote to an average group a season later. Juniors Nick Haugen (Bucknell) and Daniel Chung (Albany) led the returning team members in scoring in 2025, making them the two prime suspects to take control over the offense this year. The shoes to fill don’t get bigger than the ones these newcomers are stepping into, but this group is more than capable of continuing that legacy. There’s some turnover on the defensive side of the ball as well for the defending state champs, as goalkeeper Sal Santoro moved on this offseason to play college ball at Pace. Senior Mike Labovitz is next in line for the starting job after serving as Santoro’s understudy in 2025, playing behind a group that should have plenty of continuity with its returning players. They welcome back one of the island’s elite long poles in senior Jake Casamento (UPenn), the expected focal point for Coach Hagans’ defense ahead of the 2026 season. Add to the mix seniors Sal Caiazzo (UVM) and Chris Nolan (Ohio Wesleyan) and this should once again be a high caliber defensive unit. As for some other names that will be challenged and asked to step up this year, look out for names including Colton Raio, Jeffrey Kleinman, Chase Lamkin, Lucas Rodriguez, Aiden Ozsvath, and Jarrell Jenkins. Coach Hagan has been inspired by the work his team has put in over the offseason, referencing their work ethic as to what excites him the most entering the year. “We have a group of veteran players who have a lot of game experience as well as some newcomers who had the chance to learn from the class of 2025,” Hagan expressed. “The hard work and consistency in the offseason has put us in a good position to compete.” The rest of Suffolk County has Hills circled on their schedule after the tear they went on in 2025, a humble reminder for this group not to let complacency sink in. The first pit stop of the title defense begins at Mamaroneck on March 18th in a rematch of last year’s regional game, followed by another non-league game against Port Washington March 23rd before beginning league play against Lindenhurst on March 26th.
