Rams hope loss is a springboard

Coming off a pair of losses, an extended break and some nonleague matchups could be just what Clarke needs as the bulk of the Conference A-IV lacrosse season still lies ahead. The Rams dropped an 8-4 decision to Locust Valley on April 4, and a 12-6 decision with Carey two days earlier, after an explosive 3-1 start that included 53 total goals.

“It’s been a roller coaster season with ups and downs,” coach Tim O’Malley said. “We have to play more consistently.”

The offense continues to be led by senior Mike Martiello, who splits his time at attack and midfield depending on the situation. A four-year varsity starter, Martiello has already racked up 14 goals and 17 assists. “Everything goes through him,” O’Malley said. “He’s been doing it so long that he can almost call out what we’re running before [the coaches] do.”

One of Martiello’s favorite targets on passes has been senior Shane Wilson, an excellent finisher who opened the season with eight goals against Uniondale in a 19-10 win March 19 and hasn’t slowed down much since. He has already piled up 16 scores and is also becoming a weapon on faceoffs because of his ability to scoop groundballs. Senior Anthony Gomes, another strong finisher, and junior T.J. Clappi are also big contributors in the offensive attack. “We want to push the ball and feel that’s our strength offensively and defensively,” O’Malley said. “When our transition game is going everything falls into place and that’s how the kids like to play.”

On top of hanging tough with Locust Valley — seeded No. 3 in the preseason, while Clarke was seventh — Clarke can also take some confidence from the fact that even in defeat, opposing goaltenders felt considerable heat. The Rams peppered both teams with more than 20 shots. “We’re getting quality shots,” O’Malley said. “We’ve run into some good goaltenders as well.

“We’re hoping [the Locust Valley game] is a springboard for us,” O’Malley said, as his team fell behind by three goals at halftime but still stayed the course and netted three scores in the fourth quarter. “We have 13 seniors back from last year and a lot of them got game experience. That’s helping now, because they’re able to react in certain situations.”