High expectations for Hewlett

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Hewlett is attempting to take another step in Nassau boys’ lacrosse a year after winning 11 games and reaching the Class B semifinals in coach Jesse Corben’s debut campaign at the helm.

The Bulldogs, who took eventual county champion Garden City to double overtime in a 4-3 regular-season defeat but lost convincingly to the Trojans in the playoffs at Hofstra, are seeded No. 3 this spring and enjoyed a promising March despite the nasty weather.

“We have a few top returning players who grabbled people’s attention and our goal is to do everything we did last year – plus,” said Corben, referring to Princeton-bound attackman/midfielder Alex Vardaro and Cornell-bound long pole defender Gavin Adler. “Those guys excel in every situation and they make everyone around them better,” he added.

Vardaro is a two-time All-County selection who was Honorable Mention All-American in 2017 after registering close to 80 points. “We’ll move him around to make sure he doesn’t come off the field,” Corben explained. “His lacrosse IQ is so high and he’s very tough to defend.”

Vardaro had a goal and six assists in Hewlett’s 8-3 non-league win over Lynbrook on March 28. It was the first time in six years the Bulldogs found a way to beat the Owls. “We broke the curse,” Corben said.

Adler ranked No. 1 in the county in groundballs a year ago with more than 150 on the way to earning All-County honors. He’ll work in the midfield and in the defensive zone while keeping tabs of every opponents’ main offensive threat. “He’s a lockdown defender,” Corben said. “Gavin’s a smart player and our most vocal kid on the field. It’s like having a coach out there.”

Hewlett (2-1) boasts another major communicator between the pipes in the form of junior goalie Max May, also an All-County selection. “He has the ability to make the big saves and keeps us in games,” Corben said. “You don’t see too many sophomores make All-County. Max plays a lot of lacrosse. He has a strong clearing game that gets us going in transition.” May was credited with an assist and made six saves against Lynbrook.

Junior Matt Weiss is a stifling defender as a long stick middie, while seniors Joshua Dana and Harrison Salow have assumed larger roles on the back end. 

Junior Sam Rovner scored 18 goals last spring and is off to a huge start, Corben said. He’s an All-Conference selection and a hard-nosed two-way contributor. Sophomore Jonathan Miller is a 6-foot-1 midfielder up from JV and showing no jitters with seven goals in his first three varsity contests. Junior Rob Levitz tops the faceoff depth chart.

Offensively, Corben has seen junior Ethan Cohn (four goals), senior Justin Fligel (two goals, four assists) and sophomore Ryan May (three goals) make some noise in the early going in addition to the Bulldogs’ main dangers.

“Our numbers are low compared to what we’re used to, and we’re young overall, so it’s important we stay healthy,” Corben said.