By Chris Vaccaro
Time and time again we see natives of Long Island representing schools in various sports, but more noticeably Long Island has forever been a hotbed for lacrosse talent.
The same was true this past Saturday in the Pride’s men’s lacrosse team’s latest contest. Unfortunately the No. 24 Pride wasn’t lucky to have its homegrown talent shine, suffering the second loss of the season, 10-2, to Brown University at Field Turf Field.
After dealing with a hard loss to the University of Massachusetts in the season opener, the Pride (0-2) was focused on earning its first victory of the season against the Bears (1-0). The Pride was unsuccessful and dropped its first two games of the season for the first time since 2001.
The No. 20 Bears got on the scoreboard first at 4:37. Senior attackman Chazz Woodson, a preseason All-American, scored the first of his three goals on a man-up situation.
In a similar man advantage turn of events, the Bears’ sophomore attackman Dave Madiera netted a goal, enhancing the lead to 2-0. There were many transitional opportunities throughout the game, but the Bear’s defended well during these Pride chances.
With 1:49 remaining in the first quarter the Pride was able to break its scoreless ways when junior attackman John Keysor scored from a wrap-around attempt, beating the Bear goalie. Keysor leads the Pride with four goals this season.
The Bears exploded from that point, scoring the next four goals, two in the second quarter. Britton Derkac and Madiera scored during the second, while Chris Mucciolo, a senior midfielder from Manhasset, and sophomore midfielder Alex Buckley scored in the third. Mucciolo had two goals and an assist during the game.
Trying to cut into the Bear lead, the Pride scored with 4:19 left in the third quarter. Senior Ryan Vilar registered his only goal of the game off a pass from sophomore attackman Athan Ianucci.
With little hope left after its goal, the Pride fell asleep and allowed the Bears to go on their second four-goal tear of the game. Junior midfielder Kyle Wailes scored one of those four goals, and also added two assists.
It’s not as if the Pride was slacking on defense, having played well for a majority of the game.
“Defensively we played good,” head coach John Danowski said. “We played too much defense and you’re going to get tired.”
Excessive time in the defensive zone doesn’t allow for many scoring opportunities, and it’s obvious when only two goals are scored. Within the first two games the Pride has had a tendency to stand around and watch while playing offense, not generating solid scoring chances.
More movement offensively will help manufacture goals, rather than waiting for them to come. The Pride has been persistent with gaining opportunities, yet not many chances are going in a positive direction for them.
“The ball isn’t falling for us,” Danowski said. “The guys are trying so hard to make plays, but we have to learn to be poised.”
An entire season lies ahead of the Pride, so it’s only a matter of time before certain players relax and let their emotions settle.
“We need lifts, emotionally,” Danowski said when asked if there have been physical or mental errors within the first two games. “Everyone has had good opportunities. We just need the ball to go in the net.”
The Bears had 48 ground balls to the Pride’s 28, and won all but five face-offs (11 of 16). Bears junior goalie Nick Gentilesco, a graduate of Ward Melville High School, recorded 11 saves, as did Pride junior goaltender Matt Southard. The Bears also had the shot total edge 37-20 during the game.
The Pride will play again this Saturday in Baltimore, MD, where it faces the nation’s top-ranked team, the Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays in the toughest test of the season.
Not many are expecting the Pride to do much in this game, possibly adding more fuel to their fire.
“We have to concentrate on what we do,” Danowski said. “We believe we can be better, and our kids can play.”
The team is hoping for the return of senior middie Len Panarelli from injury. He and junior middie Joe Mascaretti form an aggressive duo for face-offs and are relied upon heavily. Mascaretti has taken most face-offs so far this season.