Spring Sports Preview: Horace Greeley Boys Lacrosse

Horace Greeley was already placed in a tough boys lacrosse league with teams like John Jay, Rye and Somers. And then coach Vin DeGregorio went out and scheduled the toughest teams he could out-of-conference — Section 1 powers like Lakeland/Panas and Mahopac, along with Albany standout Guilderland and Staples of Connecticut.

"We want to challenge the team," DeGregorio said. "We're excited to be in a situation to play to the best of our ability. We're hoping that our level of play will put us on schedule to be a section champion at the end of the year."

Greeley has only been to a few sectional finals since the program was started in 1978, and made its last appearance in 2002. But the Quakers were one game away from the championship last season - losing to John Jay in the sectional semifinals - and DeGregorio believes this team could be the one to do it.

"It's always been a good lacrosse community, and this particular group of juniors and seniors seem to mesh really well," DeGregorio said. "We were rolling toward the end of last year and this group picked up and ran with it."

The team returns two all-section players in attackman Nate Becker, who recorded 72  points last year, and midfielder Danny Leventhal, who scored 54 goals. Also on attack is senior playmaker Alex Cohen, who may be the team's most creative offensive player. Complementing Leventhal in the midfield is Kyle Shaub, a captain on the football team who is a face-off and ground ball specialist that can be used all over the lacrosse field.

The defense has two returning starters, Hunter Bastian at close defense and Adam Tanne at long-stick midfield. Senior Mike Held should help anchor the defense, with a solid supporting cast of juniors behind them.

The starter in net will be Gabe Weismann, who is a natural goaltender with great reflexes. Weismann started a few games on the varsity level last season.

"Our strength is returning our top scorers from last year," DeGregorio said. "Our defense is young and they work very well together so I'm excited about that as well."

Overall the team is pretty well-rounded and has a positive mindset, which DeGregorio said should help as the Quakers get set for a challenging schedule and hope to achieve its goal of a sectional championship.

"We're looking to hopefully turn some heads this year," DeGregorio said. "There's been a lot of positive energy and the kids are working hard. I think we can absolutely be a real competitor in Section 1."