Optimism surrounds Glen Cove

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Glen Cove’s boys’ lacrosse team, which finished with a 10-5 record last year, will look to capitalize off the league realignment, now in the C/D-2 Conference, to propel them towards a deep playoff run. Right now, however, the word that best describes Coach Steve Tripp’s focus: preparation.

“We’re breaking things down into the fundamentals,” he said. “We’re showing them tape. We’re seeing what has worked for us offensively, defensively, and if we see something we want to add, we will work from there.”

Indeed a lot worked for the Big Red last season, as its 10-5 record was a culmination of the solid play of a team that had a litany of graduating seniors recruited to play college lacrosse. Michael Hatala (Susquehanna University), Brandon Leon (Molloy College), Dante Castillo (Virginia Wesleyan College), Sean Morrissey (Kings College), Michael Payton (Adelphi University), and Geoffrey Field (LIU Post) were all major contributors for Glen Cove. Taking things from last season into the spring this year, and with the new conference alignment, Tripp is excited to begin the season.

“We’re excited about the league alignment which will really give us the opportunity to play for a conference title and for a playoff spot,” Tripp said. “We’ve been competitors in years past, but we’ve yet to be able to push it to that next level. With this new league alignment, we’re hoping we can do that.”

Although some solid talent has graduated, Glen Cove still has returning talent to keep it competitive. Returning goalie Danny Neice, who had a 55 percent save percentage last season, will mind the cage once again in an attempt to anchor the defense. Along with Neice, defensemen Jared Buehre, Jack Kaffl and Kevin Heenan are returning pieces to a Glen Cove defense that looks to build off it’s 7.7 goals against average last year.

On the offensive end, a pair of 11-goal scorers last season in midfielder Steven King and attacker Joe Cappiello return to fortify the offensive unit. Attacker Davey Moore also brings offensive talent to this bunch and looks to build off of his 7 goals and 8 assists last season.

Tripp also spoke highly of his developing talent, currently in his JV program being guided and molded by Doug Tripp, Glen Cove’s all-time leading scorer and Steve’s son. Of those developing players, (Steve) Tripp highlighted attackmen Dylan Anucik and Mayan Letellier, midfielder Szymon Frye, defensemen Jack Coyle, and goalie Jesse Mayreis.

However, at the moment, Tripp wants to focus on this season and what he hopes to accomplish. 

“This season, we want to jump over that next hurdle,” Tripp said. 

With a solid group returning for the Big Red this season, and a flourishing JV program to look towards the future, the team is looking to position itself among the top of the newly aligned Nassau Boys C/D-2 Conference with hopeful conference titles for years to come.

Glen Cove’s new conference rivals are Wheatley, Friends Academy, Division, Plainedge, Lawrence, Clarke, Island Trees, Malverne/East Rockaway, and West Hempstead.