Youth movement at Carey

The Carey boys didn’t have quite the season they were looking for and took some lumps on the lacrosse field in 2017. However, despite a less than overwhelming record, the Seahawks earned a victory in their Nassau Class B first-round playoff game before falling to eventual Long Island champion Garden City.

Carey’s roster has a different makeup in 2018. While there’s an inordinate number of underclassmen, the young men are talented and experienced. Mix in some veteran leaders, and the Seahawks have the makings of a team that could be tough to defeat as the season progresses.

As always, Carey’s schedule is unforgiving. Among the opponents the Seahawks will meet are Mepham, Long Beach, Hewlett, South Side, Manhasset, and Garden City. Carey is off to an 0-2 start after falling to Class A schools Massapequa and Farmingdale.

Head coach Tom Aiello expects it to take time for his team to jell. “We have a number of freshmen and sophomores, so the majority of the team are underclassmen,” Aiello said. “They’re young, but have played a lot of lacrosse through the youth leagues. They have to get used to the speed of the varsity game, and figure out how to get things settled down. It’ll take patience and poise. I think we’ll be in the mix.”

Joseph Tortorella is back for his third year in net for the Hawks. The senior captain, who is accustomed to facing a lot of shots, is expected to be one of the conference’s top goalies. Tortorella stopped 15 shots in the team’s 7-5 loss to Farmingdale on March 28. Sophomore Robert Flohr will back him up.

Fleet-footed senior captain Alex Lake leads the defense. He’s joined by a pair of talented freshmen in Joe Todaro and Nick Cowen. Junior Ben Wettstein and sophomore Brian Matzelle round out an aggressive, spirited defensive unit.

There’s no shortage of talent at midfield. Captain Matt Stevens scored 21 goals and had 15 assists as a junior. Stevens, who has a knack for setting up teammates, moves from attack but could see time up front again. Senior Aidan Murchie is another solid middie who sees the field well. 

Juniors Patrick McGrath (12 goals, 10 assists) and Matt Gaughan have speed, dodge well, and can get to the cage. Sophomore Tyler Darrell is a skilled player with a penchant for scooping up groundballs and dodging. 

Senior Jestyn Campos handles the faceoffs. Freshman Anthony DeNicola is solid on both ends of the field, while junior James Hansen and sophomore Steven Frosch add depth at the position.

The Seahawks are young and talented on attack. Sophomores Conor Murray and Tyler Kohn, and freshmen Jimmy O’Connell and Mike Faraone (currently out with an injury), all have the ability to finish.

Carey's difficult non-league schedule continues on April 10 when it hosts Locust Valley at 4:30 p.m.

Benefit game on April 21
The Seahawks are hosting a cancer fundraiser game on April 21 when they host Hewlett at 12 p.m. Proceeds will go to the Susan G Komen Foundation in honor of Jennifer Aiello and other local women engaged in the fight against breast cancer. Carey will wear special pink and white uniforms. The Franklin Square youth teams will take the field at halftime.