LI Lacrosse Journal
No. 15 Ranked Smithtown East Bulls Team Preview
Entering the top 15 of the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings are the Smithtown East Bulls. Last season they had a great run, going 10-6 in the regular season and winning two road playoff games each by a goal to get back to the county finals for the second consecutive season where their playoff run came to an end against Northport. They were a heavily senior filled team, but with some key players still part of the core, the Bulls hope that they give them a chance at a third straight appearance in the county finals.
No. 15 Ranked Shoreham Wading River Wildcats Team Preview
Getting to number 15 in the LILJ Top 24 preseason rankings, it’s the Wildcats of Shoreham Wading River. One of the many competitive teams in Suffolk Class C, Shoreham went 10-6 during the regular season last year and won a playoff game against Rocky Point before being defeated by Bayport in the semifinals. Led by Head Coach Alex Fehmel who is now entering year three at the helm, this year’s team is once again in contention to make some noise and possibly have a chance for a deep playoff run, and this winter they utilized the offseason by taking part in the LILJ HSWL.
No. 16 Ranked Farmingdale Dalers Team Preview
In Nassau County Class A we have the reigning Long Island Champion Farmingdale Dalers who come in at number 16 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings. Last season was one to remember as they went all the way to the New York State Championship Game, coming just a few goals short against Baldwinsville. This year they won’t have many of names and faces that were part of last year’s special season, but do have key returners as well as newcomers that they hope will make 2024 another great season. One of the changes this year for Farmingdale is seeing defensive coordinator Eric Dunne now take over as the new head coach.
No. 16 Ranked Long Beach Marines Team Preview
Landing at number 16 in the top 24 preseason rankings are the Long Beach Marines of Nassau Class B. This is a team that has been on the brink the last two seasons of winning the county championship with narrow defeats back-to-back years against Garden City. This year Long Beach is hoping that the third time will be the charm and that they can get back to the county finals and bring home a county championship. They are led by Head Coach Rachel Ray, and this winter Long Beach was part of the LILJ HSWL as they get set for what they hope will be a very long season.
No. 17 Ranked Connetquot Thunderbirds Team Preview
We stay in Suffolk Class A for number 17 of the top 24 preseason rankings with the Connetquot Thunderbirds. They return in 2024 after what was a great regular season in 2023 where they went 14-2 which earned them the top overall seed going into the playoffs, but their season ended in disappointment after a defeat in the semifinals against Smithtown East by a single goal. Although they won’t look quite like last season, those that do return for Connetquot are hoping to turn the tide in 2024.
No. 17 Ranked William Floyd Colonials Team Preview
Continuing to climb the rankings we get to number 17 in the LILJ preseason top 24 teams with the William Floyd Colonials. Playing in Suffolk Class A, Floyd has been a team that’s been knocking on the door the last few seasons with a couple of appearances in the semifinals, but haven’t quite gotten over the hump. Last season their regular season record was 12-4 and they won their opening playoff game against Huntington before being defeated by Northport in the semifinals. With virtually their entire team from last season back for 2024, this is another great opportunity for them to get over the hurdle and into the county finals with a chance to play for a county title.
No. 18 Ranked Huntington Blue Devils Team Preview
At number 18 of the preseason top 24 rankings we have the Huntington Blue Devils led by Head Coach Julian Watts. Suffolk Class A has a number of teams that will be in contention looking to dethrone Northport, and Huntington looks to be one of them. They had a regular season record of 10-5 last year and qualified for the playoffs but let one slip away in the quarterfinals against Smithtown East 7-6. As they look to re-write their story this season, the Blue Devils utilized the offseason by playing in the HSWL and training with Mike Kaplan and his team of trainers at East LI Fitness.
No. 18 Ranked Commack Cougars Team Preview
Landing at number 18 in the LILJ top 24 preseason rankings are the Commack Cougars in Suffolk Class A. Led by Head Coach Melissa Read, this is a team that isn’t short of talent, as they have a roster filled with players that makes them contenders in 2024. They appeared in the playoffs last year as a top four seed, but were defeated in the quarterfinals against Smithtown East, and are hoping that this year they’ll get right back to the postseason and go on a deep playoff run that would take the program to new heights.
No. 19 Ranked Comsewogue Warriors Team Preview
