Hewlett Lacrosse Primed For 2012 Behind Rising Seniors

The Hewlett Bulldogs have been quite the contender in Nassau County boys lacrosse for countless years. Their 2011 playoff bid marked the tenth consecutive season in which the team has reached that point. It was also their tenth consecutive season with a winning record, finishing 9-6 overall with a 5-3 record in Conference III this past spring.

The Bulldogs’ latest campaign for the county title did not go the way they planned, as Roslyn came away with a 10-7 win at Hewlett High School in the opening round of the playoffs.

Hewlett lacrosse, under the guidance of soon to be 10th year head coach Chris Passuello, overcame multiple obstacles, namely injuries to key players such as Sam Martorella and Adam Batesh and a challenging conference schedule with the likes of Manhasset, Bethpage and Lynbrook.

“We had a lot of adversity, a lot of injuries, and our kids fought through it and kept working,” Passuello said. “I was proud of the character of our kids and our seniors are really good guys, excellent students and are going on to some great colleges.”

Hewlett will part with seven graduating seniors, including the three most recent captains Jake Geiger, Chris Loria and Josh Rivlin. Niv Sultan, John Alfieri, Brian Pae and Landon Achriche also wrapped up their high school careers this past spring.

With a few months ahead before the start of next season, Hewlett has every reason to be optimistic for a deep run towards that coveted title. Martorella is one of many significant returnees for the Bulldogs. Michael Gray, who was one of the leading point-getters in 2011, will also take to the turf again.

Jared Brent, an All-County defenseman and All-Conference goalkeeper Michael Fine will help bolster a strong returning defense side. One of the most notable Bulldogs to return for his senior season is Mark Rizzo.

Rizzo served as the voice for the defense and an overall leader for the team as just a junior. He recently competed in the "Rising Seniors" lacrosse game at Dowling College. Rizzo has already earned a scholarship to play lacrosse at University of North Carolina in the fall of 2012, after he and his teammates attempt to bring Hewlett back to the echelon of high school lacrosse in Long Island.

“Our past junior class is motivated to push us further for next year," Passuello said. "All of them are players that put a year-round commitment into the sport and they hope to play in college. I really like how our team looks next year.”

Hewlett will learn of their opponents for next spring when the official schedules are released in October. The team can expect to be matched up with top teams such as Garden City and Manhasset again.

For Rizzo and the rest of the returning players, 2011 may very well have served as an example of how tough the competition is out there. With the Bulldogs' season ending sooner than they had hoped, it will only serve as extra motivation for next year and years still to come.