Yorktown Patch Weekly Sports Report

Yorktown’s Ty Schuldt is arguably the best face-off man in Section 1 high school lacrosse.

That’s a good thing because the Huskers will need his abilities to control the face-offs when they open the season at defending Class B champion John Jay Saturday, April 2, in what has been considered the marquee matchup in the section for years.

“Before every single practice, me and two other guys that take face-offs do face-off drills for the first 15 minutes of practice,” Schuldt said. “Face-offs are a huge part of the game. It determines who has possession of the ball.”

Schuldt said the game against John Jay could help set the tone for the season, especially now that the Huskers will play in Class B during the postseason, after losing a Class A title game in overtime 8-7 to Lakeland/Panas a year ago.

In light of that, this opener could very well be a preview of the Class B championship game in May.

“We have to come out hard right away, with our first regular-season game away against one of our biggest rivals,” Schuldt said. “It would be a huge start to our season if we could pull it off.”

Here is a look at the Huskers' roster for the upcoming season:

Attack: Senior Matt Williams, juniors Conor Gately and Mike Marone, sophomore Nick Mariano and freshman Conor Vercruysse.

“They are all very good, quick dodgers that can score,” Schuldt said.

Midfield: All-Section seniors Schuldt and Justin Mabus (co-captain), who are going to Hartford and Towson respectively next year, lead this group, with a great supporting cast in seniors Danny Donatelli (co-captain, defensive middie), Alex Poritzky (defensive middie), Jake Thorp, Alex Terry and juniors Joey Raniolo and Brian Quigley.

“We are all in good shape and work well together,” Schuldt said. “The chemistry is there. We just can’t wait to bring it on the field for a game.”

Defense: Senior Tyler Fahey (co-captain), junior Eric Cooley, sophomore Trevor Koelsch and freshman Austin Fusco.

“They are pretty aggressive defenders,” Schuldt said. “They are quick and active. They fit all the criteria you need to have to be a good defenseman.”

Goal: Senior Matthew Sialiano and sophomore Zach Reilly.

“I’m confident in both of our goalies,” Schuldt said. “They are both good at saving the ball and clearing the ball. They each know what they have to do.”

Junior Haldane transfer Frankie Fusco, Austin’s brother, will split time between midfield and attack.

Exceptional seniors in league hockey game

Robert Caffrey, along with Lakeland/Panas teammates Frankie Celentano, Sam Vaimberg, Nick Chiapparino and Taylor Wilson, ended their high-school careers by playing in an exciting Exceptional Senior Game.

The Rebel players were part of a team of the best League I/IV hockey players. The team lost a thrilling 9-8 contest to the League II/III contingent March 19 at the Ice Hutch in Mount Vernon.

“It was a good time,” Caffrey said. “The score really didn’t matter to me, it was about me and other guys from other teams, who we used to be playing against, and meeting new friends. It was really good experience for all the guys, especially the Lakeland guys. They really enjoyed it.”

For Caffrey, it was also about meeting old friends.

“I played with a kid, Tyler Gyscek, from Mahopac, who I used to play with when I was younger,” Caffrey said. “It was nice to play with him again since we were split up through our high-school careers. It was a lot of fun.”

Free Golf Clinic

The Yorktown Athletic Club hold free golf clinics at the Mohansic Golf Course on Saturday, April 2. A clinic for girls only is from 2-3 p.m., and an open clinic will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m.

There will be a free gift to all participants while supplies last. The rain date being Saturday, April 9.

For more information, please visit the club’s website at www.yacsports.com.

Soccer

The Shrub Oak Athletic Club will have a travel and recreational coaches meeting on March 31 at Lakeside at Osceola. The travel meeting will be at 7 p.m. and the recreational meeting at 8 p.m.