Offense rolls, then defense takes over as GC Boys Lax wins twice

When Garden City High’s boys lacrosse team calls a timeout, the players meet in two groups to listen to their offensive and defensive coaches, respectively. Last week in victories over Plainedge and Bronxville, each group showed why the 2014 Trojans, who improved to 6-1, have the type of balance to contend for post season titles.

Plainedge was a conference opponent who had shown flashes of talent, particularly in a one-sided win over East Islip the previous week. “They had proved that they could score,” said GC coach Steve Finnell. But the Red Devils couldn’t score against the Trojans. They managed just one man-up goal as Danny Dolan and Brian Hughes backed up their defenders with solid efforts in goal. Meanwhile, the offense exploded with 12 first half goals on the way to a 15-1 victory. Ten different players scored goals, led by freshman JP Basile with four and Kiernan Byrnes and Dale Stasco with two each. Finnell cleared his bench after halftime but this time, unlike in the Sewanhaka game, the reserves played well, holding Plainedge scoreless.

Last Saturday at Haverford PA, the Trojans scored a major non-league victory by edging Bronxville, 4-2. The Westchester, NY school was a State Class C finalist last year and a semi-finalist in 2012. “This game was about a good defensive effort,” said Coach Finnell. “Cullen Minion, Brian Colamussi, Matt Borges and Tom Wright were outstanding along with our middies, led by Tim McDonagh.”

This one, in contrast to the previous game, was a tense battle that wasn’t decided until the closing minutes. The first period was scoreless before Bronxville took a 2-1 halftime lead. GC’s lone first half goal was scored by James Sullivan on an assist from Kieran Byrnes.. But following the intermission, the GC defense closed the door and the Trojans rallied for two third quarter goals, a solo by Luke McDaid and the first of two goals by JP Basile on an assist from Tim McDonagh. Basile then added a fourth quarter insurance goal after taking a pass from Kieran Byrnes. It was JP’s eighth goal in the last three games.

Four goals wasn’t much offense but the defense made them stand up against a strong opponent. The Trojans were scheduled to meet another excellent team –St. Paul’s of Baltimore – at Princeton on Thursday before traveling to Darien, Connecticut tomorrow (Saturday, April 19)toplaya4p.m.gameagainstRidgefieldas part of the “Battle of the Sound.”

LAX NOTES: The first New York State Sportswriters Association rankings are out and Garden City (6-1) is listed as number two in Class B behind Yorktown, also 6-1…… Newsday ranked the Trojans third among all schools on Long Island….. GC travels to Rockville Centre to play South Side Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in an important conference game. The Cyclones defeated Manhasset in a non-leaguer early in the season…… Don’t look now, but Carey defeated Long Beach and looks to be a factor in the conference. The rivalry with Garden City has been intense this year, especially in football, and the teams are scheduled to close the regular season against each other in May.