Owls continue to aim high

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With back-to-back appearances in the Nassau Class B championship game and a record of 37-3 over the past two years with county and Long Island titles in 2014, Lynbrook’s recent accomplishments stack up against most boys’ lacrosse programs in the state.

“We want to go back to the old-school, underdog team that we like being despite being seeded at the top of the conference,” Owls coach Bill Leighley said. “We have a lot of seniors and we’re trying to mix in some of the younger guys. Right now we’re trying to build chemistry more than anything else.”

Lynbrook, ranked atop a deep Conference B-II that includes Wantagh, South Side, Bethpage and Hewlett, started the campaign in winning fashion March 23 when senior Ryan Candel scored in overtime to beat Kellenberg, 8-7. “It may have been a little sloppy at times, but it was a great opening game,” Leighley said.

Candel and senior Zach LoCicero both cracked the 50-point plateau a year ago and return to lead an offense expected to push the tempo. Junior Kyle Yaeger, who had five goals as a reserve last season and two versus Kellenberg, completes the starting attack. “We want to shoot before the defense gets settled,” Leighley said. 

Candel, an All-Conference selection whose father and uncle played for the Owls, had 28 goals and 23 assists last spring. “He can create off the dodge and is aggressive to the goal,” Leighley said.

LoCicero, who netted 35 goals a year ago and assisted on 19 others, was the starting quarterback for the football team and brings leadership qualities and great vision. He was Honorable Mention All-County in 2015 and got the year off to a fast start with five points against Kellenberg. “We’re relying on Zach a lot,” Leighley said. “He was big for us last year and he’s a finisher and a playmaker. A lot of the offense will go through him.”

In the midfield, the Owls return a handful of senior leaders and also a hint of youth. Senior Joey Virgona’s speed and athleticism make him a key figure at both ends of the field. Senior Brandon Fabel can get to the cage and is one of the team’s best when it comes to scooping groundballs. Senior Chris Kurkemelis is expected to produce on both sides of the midfield stripe, while freshman Jack Fagen has a “ton of potential,” Leighley noted. Junior Ed Perlstein will take the majority of draws.

Long pole middie Quentin Herrmann stirs the Owls’ transition game. “He’s all over the place and has fantastic stamina,” Leighley said.

In the defensive zone, senior Zach Barrett is the anchor and makes a living on takeaways. He’ll draw the toughest assignment on a daily basis, while junior Nick Paris is a physical presence with quickness. Sophomore Tom Urena is big, strong and runs well, Leighley said. 

In the cage, the coach said he has two fine options in senior JD Gebbia and junior Ian Proefriedt. They combined for eight saves against Kellenberg.