Improved Lawrence serving notice

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It’s a new era for Lawrence’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team, which recorded its first conference victory in seven years on April 1 when junior Sam Locascio’s five goals led the way in a 10-7 win over visiting Great Neck North.

Junior Tom Terino added a hat trick, while junior Jordan Fredericks chipped in a goal and two assists as the Golden Tornadoes triumphed for the third time in five games under first-year coach Joe Martillotti.

“We’re looking to build the program and establish some stability,” Martillotti said. “We have a JV for the first time since 2009. All the kids worked hard during the offseason and played summer league. They have great coaches around them who played lacrosse at Lawrence.”

Martillotti, who guided the football team to its second straight Long Island title this past fall, is assisted by Kevin Anderson and Brian Romanger. Lou Acosta coaches the JV squad. “The program is way ahead of where it was a year ago,” Martillotti said. “Even the two games we’ve lost so far were close.”

The offense has been consistent in scoring no fewer than eight goals in each of the first five games. Locascio, a shifty left-handed attack who’s tough to stop one-on-one, and junior Sean Moran, last year’s leading scorer, are finding the net with regularity. They combined for eight goals and four assists in a 16-7 win over Herricks on March 22.

Moran and junior Jordan Fredericks, a first-year member of the team, are making the Golden Tornadoes formidable in the midfield. “Sean’s probably our best all-around player,” Martillotti said. “He has a big lacrosse IQ and it’s nice to surround him with a good supporting cast.”

Terino possesses a shot clocked a more than 90 miles per hour, Martillotti said, and junior Simon Jones is a factor in the crease and in the face-off circle. On defense, senior Vinny Vota is a bruiser with good stick skills. Junior Eddie Barnett and sophomore Karl Kirchner also log major minutes in front of junior goalie Melik Mavruk, who is making not only routine saves but also difficult ones.