Glen Cove earns six wins

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After a 2016 season where the Glen Cove Big Red boys’ lacrosse team finished 10-5 with a solid amount of returning talent, this spring’s campaign looked promising. Experienced head coach Steve Tripp looked to continue to mentor his players and guide them towards a playoff run. However, after a few bumps in the road, Glen Cove (6-9) failed to make the Nassau County playoffs in 2017.

With a schedule full of tough competition, the Big Red looked to rely upon the guys who had played significant and steady roles in their successful 2016 campaign. One such player was senior attacking midfielder Steven King. King, who was second in total points for the Big Red this year with 39, was leaned upon to run the offense from the midfield position. King, who finished with 18 points total in 2016, took a big step up this year and was a constantly reliable player who did a little bit of everything for the squad.

The only player to edge him this year was junior attacker/midfielder David Moore, who is a fiery and exciting player in the Big Red’s offensive zone that shows a fervent passion to play the game. Moore finished the season with 43 points, and 28 of those by way of assists. Surely, the continuous progression and return of Moore next year is a positive sign for Tripp’s bunch. 

Senior goalie Danny Neice played outstanding in goal this season, collecting over 100 saves in an impressive effort.

Senior defenseman Jared Buehre, who is committed to Gwynedd Mercy University to play Division III lacrosse next season, was an important part of this defensive unit, having experience from last season as well. 

Jack Kaffl will return next year as a senior for this unit, looking to become the undoubted leader of the defensive front. Gurmeher Khuarana is another defenseman who Tripp commended for his efforts. “He’s stepped in and stepped up for us when his name was called upon,” he said.

Other solid contributors this season were Eric Brown, who netted 23 goals, Emil Martin, who collected 15 goals, and Sal Guastella, who scored 13 times.

One important aspect of play that Tripp was looking to work on all season was diversifying the way in which they attack the opponent’s crease. Transition goals and not running through one player too often was a constant thinking point for Tripp.

Earlier on in the season, Tripp wanted to make sure his team was “multifaceted and hard to decipher where the offensive production was coming from”. Although there was a slight regression in both goals scored in 2016 (9.13) and 2017 (7.60) and goals allowed in 2016 (7.07) and 2017 (8.27), the Big Red still have pieces returning and talented players coming up from the JV program, coached by Tripp’s son Dougie Tripp. That, along with good coaching and a dedicated program mentality look likely to bring success in the 2018 season.