Long Beach seeks deep playoff run

A year after suffering an upset loss in the Nassau Class B boys’ lacrosse quarterfinals, Long Beach is looking to make a deeper playoff run with a starting group comprised mostly of juniors.

“We’re a junior-laden team,” coach Jim Kasper said. “We don’t have a big senior class, but all the seniors contribute. I think we’re capable of winning 10 or more games and getting to the semifinals. We’re getting better at things.”

The Marines, ranked No. 3 in Conference B-2 behind defending county champion Manhasset and perennial power Garden City, split their first four non-league games. They beat Class A teams Baldwin and Oceanside, as well as Babylon from Suffolk County while losing to Lynbrook.

“We were totally out of sync and down a few guys when we got rocked by Lynbrook,” said Kasper, referring to the 16-5 loss on March 29. “It was good to bounce back with a quality win against Babylon. They’re considered a top team in Class C.”

Depth is something Kasper expects to carry Long Beach deeper in the playoffs than last spring. “We have more depth than ever,” he said. “We might not have any superstars, but we’ve got a lot of very talented players.”

Thus far, Long Beach has displayed an attack-oriented offense. Senior Tom Nicpon has a team-leading 12 goals, senior Austin Gibbons and junior Sam Brown have six apiece, and junior Jesse Rubel has four. That’s more than 70 percent of the team’s scoring through four games. “The attack is producing at a high level,” Kasper said.

Nicpon, who was one vote shy of All-County honors in 2015, is one of the better catch-and-shoot weapons in Nassau. “We look to bring him off picks and give him some open space,” Kasper said. “He can shoot it.” Nicpon had four goals against both Baldwin and Oceanside.

Brown, who scored 45 goals last season, is getting acclimated to working behind the cage. He had a goal and four assists in the Marines’ 8-7 win over Babylon on April 1. “Sam’s doing well and doing what we expected of him,” Kaspar said. “He’s a leader. He’s getting points; his size is difficult to defend.”

Gibbons, who sees some time in the midfield, and Rubel, have been pleasant surprises, the coach noted. Senior Cain Tagliagambe leads an extremely deep midfield. “Cain has a great motor and plays an important role at both ends of the field,” Kaspar said.

Senior Owen Sculley brings a solid set of skills and speed to the midfield, and senior Josh Keitz and junior Gregg Wildstein are splitting time on draws and combining to win 50 percent so far. Sophomore Troy Morris, who has three goals, and freshman Caleb Monzon, with two, represent the next generation of strong two-way middies, Kasper said.

The defense is a work in progress, led by senior long pole Kyle Christie. Juniors Thomas Farrell, Quentyn Rowland, Joseph Rogers and Vincent Gonzales are getting the lion’s share of minutes in the back. Junior Shane Morris, who made 14 saves against Babylon, sits atop the goalie depth chart with senior Brendan Stark right in the mix.