Seaford eyes voyage to finals

Seaford boys lacrosse is looking to take that next step as a program this spring after the 2015 season ended just short of playing for a championship.

The Vikings are looking to make the program’s first title game appearance since 2003 after numerous near misses in the past decade. They’re coming off a 12-5 season that ended with an 11-5 Class C semifinal loss to eventual state champion Cold Spring Harbor.

“We have been close but haven’t gotten there,” said new Seaford coach Brian Horner, who was an assistant coach with the Vikings from 2007 to 2015. “We are going to do whatever we can to get to that championship game.”

Senior attackman Danny Connell leads the charge on offense in his third season as a starter. Despite facing double coverage in most games, Connell registered nine points in the Vikings’ first four games including three goals in a 14-6 April 5 win against Bellmore-JFK. “He is playing the best lacrosse he has ever played now,” Horner said of Connell. “He has become a leader.”

Also leading Seaford’s playoff push are senior triplets Nick Couvaris (attackman), Peter Couvaris (defenseman) and Tom Couvaris (goalie). Nick Couvaris tallied 10 points through the Vikings’ first four games, including a goal and four assists against Kennedy, while brothers Peter and Tom have been key facets of the defense.

“They push each other,” Horner said of the three brothers. “They help each other get better.”

Junior attackman Tom Carroll complements Connell and Nick Couvaris close to the net and tallied five goals in a 15-7 victory at Division on April 2. Junior midfielder Pat Kern also had five goals in the blowout of Division and is joined in the midfield by sophomore Mike Anderson and senior Ethan Eariel. Anderson had a breakout game against JFK with four goals while also winning 19 of 22 faceoffs.

“We want to play an up-tempo style of offense that is fun for them to play,” said Horner, who played lacrosse at Half Hollow Hills West and Dowling College.

Leading Seaford’s close defense are Peter Couvaris, Dan Roell and Kevin Murphy along with short-stick defensive midfielder Jack Lasher. Tom Couvaris has stepped in net and recorded 14 saves in a March 22 season-opening loss at neighborhood rival Wantagh.

Seaford opens the conference portion of its schedule on Wednesday at home against Clarke for a 4:45 p.m. faceoff. The Vikings close the regular season against Class C powers Locust Valley on May 11 and Cold Spring Harbor on May 13 under the lights at Seaford High School.

Horner has sensed major determination early on from his team with strong chemistry on and off the field. He said the goal of playing for a county championship has not been shied away from and the players are using last year’s semifinal loss and past playoff defeats as extra fuel.

“They have a little bit of a chip on their shoulder,” Horner said. “There is something special about these guys.”