YORKTOWN, N.Y. —Yorktown enjoyed a 15-6 season last spring, including winning the Section 1 Class B title for the second straight year, with a 13-9 win against visiting Horace Greeley giving the Huskers their 42nd sectional crown overall. Yorktown went on to beat Niskayuna 12-5 in the regional semifinals before losing 10-8 to Southside in the regional title game.
“The main goal every year is to bring home a state championship,” Yorktown senior captain Brady McEnroe said. “After falling short last year, our guys are fueled more than ever and are ready to get our second chance. We must work hard every practice and push ourselves to become a little better every day.”
The Huskers, who have won seven state titles, have plenty of talented returnees, including juniors, goalie Hunter Mezzatesta, who was All-Section last year and is committed to play at the University of Virginia, and starting All-Section midfielder Gianluca Marchini (UMass-Amherst).
“One of the many strong suits that stick out for Hunter is his ability to make doorstep saves, clear the ball, and move it to the next level,” McEnroe said. “Gianluca, who once he gets his hands free, has one of the best shots in the state.”
Alongside Marchini is junior Brady Sheridan, a gritty downhill dodger who always goes hard to the cage and doesn’t stop trying, win or lose.
All-Section senior Chad Bowen is likely to take most of the Huskers’ face-offs.
“He’s becoming one of the most dominant (face-off specialists) in Section 1,” McEnroe said. “His ability to counter and get the ball moving his way is exceptional.”
McEnroe is a defender whose strengths are his footwork and ability to not get beat, along with his stick work and vision while clearing the ball. He also has an ability to communicate with his teammates and help them when necessary.
Two other top returnees are juniors, JT Carney and defenseman Evan Kurth, who played short stick last year but will return to playing long pole this campaign.
“JT is one of the attackmen on our team who is great at feeling pressure and creating separation,” McEnroe said. “He is also a great feeder who’s always looking for the next play. Evan’s footwork has improved greatly and is now one of his strong suits.”
McEnroe and Hunter are the Huskers’ captains and are expected to lead by example.
“While everything might not fall our way, if we work as hard as possible we will have a greater chance at bringing home a state title,” McEnroe said.
Senior Dominic Bucello (Lenoir-Rhyne) and sophomore Ryan Fastiggi were both on the team last year but will now play more vital roles this spring.
“Dominic’s aggressiveness and physicality are two of his strong points,” McEnroe said. “Ryan is a downhill dodger with quick feet and a fast shot on the run.”
Two key newcomers are sophomore Tyler Caricati and junior Tommy Carney.
“Tyler is a defensive midfielder who has great feet and is lockdown when dodged on,” McEnroe said. “Tommy is an attackman with great vision and is able to move the ball fast and get the offense flowing.”
The Huskers, coached by fourth-year boss and Yorktown graduate Tim Schurr, open the season at 5:15 p.m. Thursday, April 3, against visiting Arlington.
“In order for us to win the section title this year, we must work as a team. We have a smaller roster than last year, but if we are able to work together as a whole unit, then we can overcome any team that we face,” McEnroe said.
Lakeland/Panas
The Rebels are coming off a 9-9 campaign, which included losing to host Yorktown 10-5 in the Section 1 Class B semifinals.
Lakeland/Panas’ top returnees are senior Oban Rader, senior Paul Fitzgerald (SUNY-Cortland), junior All-League attackman CC Savastano, junior Dom Lemma, and senior attackman Vinny Savastano.
Rader is a big and strong attackman who can shoot with power with both hands, while Fitzgerald is a crafty left-handed midfielder who uses his size and speed to generate great looks at the goal.
CC Savastano is the top returning scorer from last year’s team and brings both skill and IQ to the team. Lemma is an aggressive and physical shutdown All-League defenseman who can also play long-stick middie and take face-offs.
Vinny Savastano is a three-year varsity player whose finishing abilities should help generate more goals this season.
Third-year coach Joe Macchi said the Rebels plan on having a lot of young guys contribute this year but is not yet sure who will emerge as standouts.
Rader, Fitzgerald, and senior defensive-midfielder Bryan Depascale are the Rebels’ captains.
“The captains of our program always inherit a huge responsibility,” Macchi said. “These three guys have displayed the traits that we look for every year in our leaders. I could not be more proud and excited for these student-athletes to represent the Rebels’ program this season. When adversity strikes, Oban, Paul, and Bryan are going to do a fantastic job leading our boys through the fire.”
Senior defender Nick Kaufman (Lasell University) also returns.
Lakeland/Panas will play home games at Lakeland this year and opens the season at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 1, against visiting Byram Hills.
“Our goals are always the same, to uphold the standard that Lakeland/Panas lacrosse has established over our rich history,” Macchi said. “We do not focus on results. Instead, we concentrate on working as hard as possible, doing our jobs, and competing at the highest level. If we do those things then we know that we will be proud of the outcome.”
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