Hewlett Boys Lacrosse Looks to Young Players

The Hewlett Boys Lacrosse program has a long-standing tradition of being one of the prominent competitors for Nassau County titles, so their early exit from the 2010 playoffs with a loss to Carey, 5-4, was a bitter ending for returning senior Chris Loria and the Bulldogs.

“It was a tough loss last year in the playoffs, but this year we have a lot of kids coming back," Loria said. "Our whole attack is back and a lot of the midfield. We have a good team and should do much better than last year.”

Hewlett finished the 2010 season with a 10-5 overall record. The team won its last county title in 2006 behind then-senior Max Seibald.

The team had consistently found themselves in at least the quarterfinals of the playoffs, so falling short last year has the team seeking redemption under ninth-year head coach Chris Passuello.

“Hopefully we can get all healthy and give a competitive look in conference. We’d be disappointed if we’re not a playoff team and advance when we’re there,” Passuello said. “As the season goes on, the young guys that we need to play are going to mature and we are hoping to just peak down the stretch.”

Loria will be looked at to be a leader on attack for the Bulldogs and provide experience on a team that is dealing with youth and injuries to important players such as junior midfielders Sam Martorella and Adam Batesh.

“Hopefully at the end of the year our hard work will show," Loria said. "We have a few new guys playing this season that will definitely help with the injuries.”

Joining Loria on the starting line is senior Jake Geiger, who will also be an incremental piece to find the net. Junior Michael Gray is another key returning starter on the attack for the Bulldogs as well.

“This year, we’ve got our whole attack back and have a lot of young kids that look good,” Geiger said. “I want to take my experience to help everyone else. We are looking to spread the ball around more with not having a true go-to guy but have multiple people who can make plays.”

In front of every goalie, a team must put out a solid defensive front. Hewlett graduated two top-notch defenders last year in Myles Benhar and Jake Gutner, but junior Mark Rizzo, along with senior Jared Brent, will lead a revamped defense for Hewlett this year. Rizzo will play college lacrosse at North Carolina upon graduation.

“Our defense is young, but Mark Rizzo looks like our best player this year,” Passuello said. “Rizzo and Brent need to be the leaders and help the younger guys develop.”

Hewlett will be playing out of Class 3-B and will match up against one of the top teams in New York State in Manhasset, along with teams such as Lynbrook, Bethpage and Plainedge in league play.

The team will also play a challenging non-league schedule, highlighted by South Side and Long Beach.

“Manhasset is the best team in our league. They are very good and figure to be a challenge,” Passuello added. “The rest of our league is good. Every game is important and it is about whose going to step up.”

Hewlett opens up their schedule at home on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. against Great Neck South in a non-league matchup.