“A Quiet Confidence.” That’s one of the ways Farmingdale head coach Mike Hungerford would describe his team heading into the 2020 season. Coach Hungerford has been a part of Farmingdale’s storied program as a player and now as a head coach. Being a coach for almost 30 years means that Hungerford knows what it takes to win. This year he and the Dalers are looking to get over the hump and win the Nassau County Championship. Read more about coach Hungerford’s long lasting ties to Farmingdale and his views on the 2020 season in a recent interview with the LILJ.
Last season was one to remember for coach Robyn Pastuch and the Wantagh Warriors. In her first season as the head coach, Robyn led the Warriors all the way to the County Championship game where they fell just short in a tightly contested game against Cold Spring Harbor. This year, coach Pastuch and the Warriors have their sights set on something even bigger. That’s winning the State Championship. Although winning is the ultimate goal, coach Pastuch also wants to put her girls in position to be as successful as possible both on and off the field and be a positive example for the younger girls. After flying under the radar in most peoples eyes last season, the Warriors will not be slept on in 2020. Read more about coach Pastuch and her team in an interview with the LILJ below.
Freshman midfielder Thomas Sangiovanni is set to begin his first season as a Siena Saint. Thomas played high school lax at Harborfields where he led the team in goals and assists in his senior year. As Thomas begins his journey as a college athlete, he is hoping to contribute in any way he can this season. Read more about Thomas and what he’s looking forward to this year below in a recent interview with the LILJ.
Star defenseman Trevor Kessel is less than a year away from continuing his lacrosse career at his dream school, The University of Michigan. But before he officially becomes a wolverine, he’s looking to finish his career as a Wildcat as back to back state champions. Kessel is part of a loaded Shoreham Wading River squad that is getting the majority of its players back this season. Read more about Trevor and his journey from S.W.R. to Michigan in a recent interview with the LILJ.
Following the Spring Premiere in San Antonio earlier this month, Myers and the U.S. team staff narrowed the training roster to 24 players. (According to US Lacrosse Magazine). Included in those 24, are 8 from the island. The U19 team won both of its games in San Antonio, beating Team Premiere 17-3 and Japan 14-2. With over 30% of the roster being from Long Island, it’s evident the USA coaches recognize where top players hail from. Learn about each Long Islander representing the stars and stripes by clicking below.
Gritty. Powerful. Multi-dimensional. Midfielders must possess all three traits to be considered great. On Long Island, top midfielders carry an even heavier load. With difficult schedules, the rise of various programs, and the explosion of players picking up sticks at the youth; it has become increasingly difficult to stand out amongst the rest. This list was by far the hardest to make. So many players do what’s needed to give their teams a chance to win. Picking up the ball, winning the face, defending their cage, going up and down for 5+ minutes at a clip; all are included in the job description. Below we’ve highlighted 25 players who stand out going into 2020. Who do you think will make some noise this Spring?!
It’s comeback season for Northport’s Alexa Gentile. The highly coveted senior attacker who verbally committed to UNC four years ago is back after missing the 2019 season with a torn ACL. The Tigers are coming off a State Championship season and have their sights set on repeating. For Alexa, she is ready to get back on the field with her teammates and help lead the team this season. Despite the injury being a bump in the road, Alexa has used it as fuel to become physically and mentally stronger. While watching from the sidelines she was able to absorb knowledge of the game from a different perspective which will only help her as she furthers her lacrosse career. Read more about Alexa and her journey back to the field in a recent interview with the LILJ.
The Stony Brook Women’s lacrosse team is loaded with talented players from all-across Long Island. One of those talents is freshman midfielder Charlotte Verhulst. Charlotte played high school lacrosse at St. Anthony’s and helped lead the Friars to the league championship in her final year. Now, as a freshman at Stony Brook, Charlotte looks to contribute as much as she can to help the Seawolves on their quest to win the National Championship. Read more about Charlotte’s lacrosse journey in a recent interview with the LILJ.
Each year, top college programs compete to get the Island’s best. 2020 was no exception. After sitting down to discuss who recruited Long Island the best, all signs pointed to the Orangewomen. Syracuse is bringing in four studs hailing from four different schools. Markey at Sinai, Ward at Baylon, Goodale from Riverhead, and Smith from St. Anthony’s, make up a 2020 ‘Cuse class that is not to be messed with. Next question: who else did a great job recruiting the island for the 2020 class? The LILJ dove deep and came up with our top 15, read all about it below.
