MacArthur shoots for next level

After three straight years of falling to Syosset in the Nassau County Class A boys’ lacrosse quarterfinals, MacArthur is looking to take that next step in 2015.

The Generals went 9-7 last year and bring back a senior-laden team with multiple scoring threats that coach Chris Bergersen is hoping will generate enough points for a deeper playoff run. MacArthur (4-1) marched out of the gate with a 4-0 start before falling to defending Long Island Class A champion Massapequa on March 31.

“We want to get over that hump,” said Bergersen, who is looking to bring the Generals past the quarterfinal round for the first time since taking over as coach in 2001. “That has been our rallying cry.”

MacArthur brings back seven senior starters including four who earned All-Conference honors last year in midfielders Dean Peluso, Gerard DelGrosso and Chris Hawkins as well as attackman Mike Papach. Senior starting attackmen Paul Giuliano and Troy Ellers also add to the offensive punch. Mount St. Mary’s-bound defenseman Jakob Hama helps anchor the defensive end of the field along with junior defensemen Pat McAllister and Dan O’Shea.

“We have a lot of good senior leaders,” Bergersen said. “The character of these guys and the example they set has been what has been moving us forward this year.”

Bergersen also has seniors he can turn to for the second midfield unit including Owen Tobin, Dan McQuillan, Jimmy Kelleher and John Fordham. MacArthur’s offensive depth produced double digit scoring during two of their first four wins including a dominating 18-2 victory against cross-town rival Island Trees on March 19. The Generals featured 12 different goal scorers in the convincing victory including three from junior midfielder Dan Clyne, two by Papach, Peluso, Giuliano and Ellers along with single tallies by Fordham, Greg Schachter, Nick Goodelman, John Connelly, Kelleher and Jack Huggard.

“We are deeper than in past years,” Bergersen said. “The scoring has been very balanced.”

The Generals had six different goal scorers in an 8-6 win over Bethpage on March 26, and seven different goal scorers in a 12-5 victory over Valley Stream Central two days later.

Junior goalie Dolan Jones helps lead MacArthur’s defensive efforts and recorded 13 saves in a season-opening 6-5 non-conference win against North Shore. Senior Jack Dowling also contributes as a netminder.

MacArthur entered the season seeded sixth in a challenging Class A. Bergersen is hoping the Generals can earn one of the conference’s eight playoff spots and then find themselves playing at Hofstra for a third straight year with a chance to reach that elusive semifinal stage. The three straight quarterfinal setbacks to Syosset included a 5-4 triple overtime heartbreaker in 2013, which also featured a senior-filled roster.

MacArthur hosts Locust Valley this Thursday at 7 p.m. in a non-league game. After traveling to Hempstead on April 15, the Generals face Syosset at home in a rematch of last year’s quarterfinals on April 17 under the lights at 7 p.m.