Manhasset, the reigning New York State Class “C” Champions, had a strong start to the playoffs this year. This included beating Wantagh 15-9 and Shoreham-Wading River 11-6. Next up, Manhasset travels to the University of Albany to play Rye in the state semifinals on June 7. The winner will be back at Hofstra for the State Championship on June 10.

Manhasset finished the regular season with a 15-1 record, falling only to Chaminade in the Regs Rock tournament with a 10-9 nail biter in the final minutes. They played many other high-powered teams, including Garden City in the annual Woodstick Classic, where they won in an overtime thriller with Jack Petersen scoring the game winner, Cold Spring Harbor, a game they dominated and won 15-3, and Darien, where they were victorious 11-2. Large contributors of the state championship team’s success last year, namely Jack Petersen, Liam Connor, Aidan Haggerty, James Lapina, Cal Girard, PJ Flood, Jack Lamarca, and Matt Cargiulo all returned this year. The points leader so far this season is Liam Connor, who has contributed to 80 points thus far, and is trailed by Jack Petersen (55 points), Matthew Cargiulo (51 points), Aiden Haggerty (50 points), and Daniel Kolin (36 points). Cal Girard has also been dominant from the faceoff X, with an 85.2% win rate.

Most importantly, the team means a whole lot more than stats and accomplishments. From Frank Coughlin singing the national anthem before games, Sean Haggerty and Myles Tintle taking pictures, all the moms providing us with nutritious meals before games, the outstanding coaching staff that motivates and pushes us daily, and excellent team culture and camaraderie leading to stellar performance under the bright lights; we are a family.

The team has a bond like no other. They are a group of brothers that do everything together, from watching sporting events to weekly pasta parties. “I love these boys more than anything, and they will be my best friends forever” said one teammate.

Manhasset lacrosse has a proud history of excellence starting with Jim Brown who recently passed away. Alumni fill our stands and offer advice and tips contributing to our advancement. Manhasset Alum have left lasting impacts on the Manhasset lacrosse and the community at large. Among these alum, are four men that have become models for our team.

In honor of four of the finest lacrosse players who ran on Manhasset fields, John Driscoll, Ryan Kiess, James Farrell, and Michael Farrell, it has become a tradition on the Manhasset lacrosse team for seniors to have the privilege of wearing their numbers. John Driscoll wore the number 32 for the Indians, Ryan Kiess wore 44, while James and Michael Farrell each wore the number 4 at Manhasset. All four of these boys played with their whole heart and soul and they mean a lot to the Manhasset Community. The numbers are assigned in light of what each of these boys brought to Manhasset both on and off the field. Jack Petersen, who will be attending Harvard in the fall, was given the honor of wearing 32. James Lapina, the Boston University Signee, is wearing the number 44 for Ryan Kiess, and Aidan Haggerty, the Villanova commit was given the number 4.

Elene Farrell and Nina Kiess were attendees at nearly every game earlier in the season. Elene Farrell said, “Manhasset is such a storied lacrosse program. All four of these men [Farrell, Farrell, Keiss and Driscoll] started in Manhasset PAL Lacrosse, played through high school and then on to college. Back in the early 2000’s, the tradition started that John Driscoll #32 was given to a senior midfielder who displayed not only lacrosse ability but also character and integrity on and off the field. That lacrosse culture, of striving to play lacrosse at the highest level along with being men of character is something that James, Michael and Ryan were so proud of and honored to be a part of at Manhasset. The boys would have been so humbled and honored that their lacrosse jersey numbers, along with John Driscoll’s #32 are part of this beautiful tradition.” Nina Kiess added, “Ryan was a son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, boyfriend, friend and teammate who you could always count on. He was a big guy with a big heart who always lit up a room! In high school (8/20/14) Ryan tweeted, ‘Your boys you have grown up with, and went to high school with, will always be your friends for life.’ To put it simply…Ryan loved life!”.

Come cheer on the Manhasset boy’s lacrosse team as we prepare for the state semi-finals. The boys have high hopes, and we can’t wait to see what we do next!