‘Something We Talked About’: Massapequa Boys’ Lacrosse Brings Home County Title

MASSAPEQUA, NY — In Nassau County, it could be said that the lacrosse world runs through Massapequa. After the girls’ lacrosse team clinched their sixth county championship with a 13-5 win over Syosset on May 27, the boys’ team followed up with a county title of their own Tuesday, also beating Syosset, 19-5.

For coach Kevin Catalano, the title was the realization of something he had been talking about with this team for a long time. This season was Catalano’s second year on the job as varsity coach, a role he took on after moving up from the JV level. Thanks to coaching the younger team, Catapano said he has spent three or four years with some of these players, watching them grow not only as athletes but as people.

“Seeing them as ninth graders, and how talented they were at the JV level, this was something we talked about,” Catalano said of the county title.

Among the key performers in the title game, Catalano said the win started at the face-off dot, where Ryan Chavis went 18-for-26.

“It’s a game of possessions, a game of runs, and he was able to get us possessions,” Catalano said. “The first time we played Syosset this year, we lost, and he went about 50 percent [on faceoffs] in that game, so this was a great effort from him.”

On the eight face-offs Chavis didn’t win, Syosset had to contend with sophomore long-stick midfielder Casey Gilchrist, who Catalano said had a strong showing between the boxes.

“He was great, causing a lot of turnovers, pressuring the ball whenever we didn’t get the faceoff,” Catalano said. “He’s only a sophomore, he’s going to be a really strong recruit in a couple of years.”

While the possessions might’ve started in midfield, Catalano said they finished with the attacking trio of Rocco Spallina, Nolan Wiezzorek and Tyler Byrnes, who combined for 18 goal contributions.

Next up is a Saturday night showdown with Sachem North at Stonybrook with the Long Island championship on the line.