Playoff surge for Baldwin

After suffering three hard-fought losses to higher-seeded Nassau Conference A boys’ lacrosse teams, Baldwin has ripped off four consecutive victories to move into the playoff picture as the regular season enters the stretch run.

The Bruins stand at 4-3 in Conference A (5-7 overall) with games against Plainview, Farmingdale and Syosset remaining before the postseason begins in the second week of May. After falling one win short of qualifying last spring, coach Rich Garguilo believes Baldwin has some work to do to make this year’s eight-team tournament.

“We’re seeing the benefits of playing such a difficult schedule early in the season,” Garguilo said. “We’ve been generating and converting a lot more opportunities in transition.

“We don’t need to run the table to make the playoffs, but we might have to win two of three,” he added. “We’ll be dangerous if we get in.”

During the winning streak, the Bruins have averaged 16 goals per game after being held to single digits in goals in each of the first eight contests. Leading attackman Sam Ferguson, a junior, has produced 15 goals and 10 assists over the last four games, including consecutive five-goal efforts against Uniondale and Valley Stream District. Sophomore Dan Pulis has taken his play to another level since moving from midfield to attack with 10 goals and 13 assists during that same span.

“Sam has done everything expected of him,” Garguilo said of Ferguson, who also had five goals in an 11-8 loss to undefeated Massapequa on April 7. “He’s drawing everyone’s best defenseman.”

Pulis, who totaled six points over the first eight games, thrived with the position switch, the coach said. “He’s very talented,” Garguilo said. “He’s answered the bell since we gave him a try up front.”

Garguilo said defenses continue to focus on senior midfielder Jared Warner, who during a challenging three-game stretch against Oceanside (8-7 loss on March 31), Massapequa, and Port Washington (11-7 defeat on April 11) combined for seven goals.

The Bruins began to turn the corner during the second half of the Port Washington game after falling behind 8-0. They outscored the Vikings by a 7-3 margin over the last 24 minutes, getting two goals apiece from Pulis, Warner and junior Chris Baker.

If there was one game the Bruins would like to have back, it’s Oceanside. Baldwin erased a 4-1 deficit after the opening quarter and led late in the fourth when the Sailors managed the tying goal with four minutes left and the difference-maker with three minutes remaining. Oceanside goaltender Joe Rugolo made 17 saves.

The Bruins’ winning streak began with a 16-7 decision over Uniondale on April 15. Ferguson had seven points, including a hat trick, senior Christian Cummings scored three times, and senior goalie Thomas York made a dozen saves. York recorded double digits in saves in each of the first nine games before being hardly tested April 23 in a 17-2 win over Valley Stream District.

York and a defense led by seniors Nick DeLuca, Noel Smith and Connor Harper will be tested this Friday when Farmingdale visits for a 4:30 p.m. start.