No. 6 Ranked Wantagh Warriors Team Preview

In Nassau Class C it’s the Wantagh Warriors coming in at number 6 in the LILJ top 25 preseason rankings. A team that has been on the doorstep the last few years of winning the counties, last year they achieved that milestone, representing Nassau in the Long Island Championship game where they were narrowly defeated by Bayport Blue Point. This year Wantagh will once again be very much in contention for another county championship and an  appearance in the LIC for the second consecutive year.

Wantagh’s offense which second in Nassau County in goals per game last season at 13.3, returns three of their top four leaders and points which will make them a very prolific offensive team once again in 2025. Headlining their attack is the junior Villanova commit Devin Paccione who comes off of a season that saw him dominate with a total of 104 points. Paccione was a natural table setter as he dished out 68 assists and found the back of the net 36 times. The Martini brothers Dylan and Luke add to this offense with senior Dylan who’s committed to Army coming off of a 58 goal, 18 assist junior year for 76 points playing attack and midfield. The freshman Luke didn’t shy away from the varsity stage as an eighth grader as he scored 55 goals with 10 assists for 65 points. The offensive talent on this team continues with the return of juniors Joe Nicholson (Villanova) Carter Loughman (Albany), and Matthew Giacobello. At the face-off X is where they will look to replace 2024 graduate Will Greaves who won 329 faceoffs with a winning percentage of 72%.

On the defensive side of the field the Warriors return long poles Luke Perfetti and John Gendels in the senior class as well as sophomore Patrick Forthofer. In goal as the starter will be junior goalie Gianni Passaro the Mount St. Marys commit as he replaces 2024 graduate Kyle Conklin. Last year Passaro did see time in the cage and made 76 saves with a save percentage of 54%. As a team their defense allowed fewer than seven goals per game in 2024.

To get the regular season started Wantagh opens up with a power conference matchup against Carey on March 24th.