MacArthur fires up the offense

Second-year MacArthur boys’ lacrosse coach John Nessler has eyes on a conference title with an explosive offense.

Nessler has instilled an aggressive offensive style since taking over the Generals program last year after serving as a longtime assistant coach. A 5-10 2016 season saw growing pains with a youthful squad, but Nessler expects to be a contender this spring in a newly-formed Conference B-II with a mix of veterans and underclassmen.  

“We like to push it,” Nessler said of his revamped offense. “I’m trying to change the culture and philosophy of our program.”

MacArthur’s fast-paced offense was on full display in a 16-2 romp of Great Neck North in its league opener on April 3 and again in a 14-2 win against Elmont two days later. The Generals can earn the program’s first playoff berth since 2014 by placing in the top two of the conference, which will feature strong competition from Bellmore-Kennedy, Roslyn and Herricks.

“We’re hoping to win the conference,” said Nessler, who played lacrosse at MacArthur in the early 1990s. 

Five captains in seniors Brian Mondella, JP Nelson and Matt Kalstek along with juniors A.J. Lohmuller and Jack Kipnes lead the Generals’ march for a playoff bid. The veterans have been focused on improving on MacArthur’s 5-win campaign.

“They are an extension of the coaching staff,” Nessler said of his captains. “They are well respected by their peers.”

MacArthur’s offense has received a spark this spring from freshman midfielder Hugh Kelleher, who made varsity as an eighth grader last year. Kelleher tallied five points on three goals and two assists in a 15-7 loss to North Shore on March 28. In addition to his scoring ability, Kelleher has taken the majority of the faceoffs along with senior Steven Geiger and sophomores T.J. Mauro and Carter Koeppen. 

“He’s a big body on the field,” Nessler said of Kelleher. “He has been very solid for us.”

Juniors Liam McAllister, Christian Dougherty and Logan Robbins have also provided a jolt to the MacArthur offense. McAllister tallied hatricks in three wins over Elmont, Division and Great Neck North while Robbins has achieved multiple games in three games. Dougherty registered two points or more in the Generals’ first six games.

“We feel we are a team that can push the ball,” Nessler said. “We feel like we can use our athleticism to our advantage.”

Lohmuller, who has committed to play lacrosse at Wingate University next year, leads the MacArthur defense with Kipnes, a Mercy College recruit. Junior goalie Antonio Fernandez has held down the fort in net recording double-digit saves in three games including 14 stops in a 6-5 loss to East Meadow on March 21.

MacArthur entered the week at 2-0 in conference play and is next in action for a non-league game this Saturday at home against Plainview-JFK at 5 p.m. before taking on Kennedy April 18 at 4:30 p.m. The Generals close the regular season at Sewanhaka on May 9.