Manhasset Ends Playoff Run for Wantagh Boys Lacrosse

The Manhasset boys lacrosse team showed why they are regarded as one of the top teams in the nation with a 10-7 win over Wantagh in the Class B semifinals on Thursday night at Hofstra University.

The Indians (17-1) pulled away in the second half from the Warriors (14-4) to earn the playoff victory and set up a finals showdown with the Garden City Trojans next week.

Harry Kucharczyk led Manhasset with four goals and an assist and Joe Mancini had three goals and an assist. Matt Balzano and Brian Von Bargen each scored twice for Wantagh in the season-ending loss.

Kucharczyk struck goal first in the game for Manhasset to stand as the lone point in the first quarter. He scored a second goal before Wantagh came back strong to tie up the score at 2-2 behind goals from Balzano and James Bonanno in the second quarter.

Quinn Moroney scored with 4:03 remaining in the half for Manhasset, but Balzano scored a second goal to tie the score at 3-3 just before the halftime whistle.

At the start of the third quarter, Manhasset made their message clear, sparking a 5-0 run to push their lead to 8-3 over Wantagh. Both Kucharczyk and Mancini scored twice during the decisive stretch.

Wantagh made a threatening fourth quarter push as Von Bargen scored his two goals and both Ryan Walsh and Cory Stavis found the back of the net. Manhasset added two goals of their own to keep in the lead and close out the 10-7 win and the Wantagh season.

“Manhasset tried to slow it down on us and work their six-on-six offense and limit our transition opportunites, which is where our main strength is,” Wantagh head coach Gary Reh said. “We didn’t possess like we were hoping and Manhasset is tough, but our season was definitely a good one this year.”

Manhasset will try to avenge their lone loss this season in the Class B finals against five-time defending champion Garden City. The Indians fell to the Trojans, 10-6, on April 30 at home.

“Wantagh played great and made the late push in the fourth, but I am proud of my guys and we did what we had to do to move on,” Manhasset head coach Bill Cherry said. “Garden City is tough and it should fare to be a good rematch for the title.”

Manhasset will take on Garden City again on Tuesday, May 31, at 6:00 p.m. at Hofstra University. Wantagh won their last eight games before losing to Manhasset in the semifinals and will look to come back strong next year and make another run at the title. 

Goals-Assists: W: Balzano 2-0, Von Bargen 2-0, Bonanno 1-1, Stavis 1-0, Walsh 1-0, Ingrilli 0-1. Totals: 7-2. M: Kucharzyk 4-1, Mancini 3-1, Moroney 2-2, Matthews 1-0. Totals: 10-4. Goalies- W: Gambitsky- 8 saves; M: Morelli- 8 saves.