Wantagh thriving against top foes

Wantagh’s boys’ lacrosse team is more than holding its own against a rigorous schedule.
A 12-7 win against defending two-time defending Class D state champion Cold Spring Harbor last Friday moved the Wariors to 6-3 overall facing stiff competition designed to prepare Wantagh for what it hopes will be an extended postseason run. 
“They know how to battle and they play hard every second and when you have that compete level in you the chances of having a successful game are higherer,” said sixth-year Wantagh coach James Polo. “There’s nothing like having a team of competitors.”
The Cold Spring Harbor win, which came on the heels of a 9-8 defeat to Massapequa two days earlier, featured a clutch 20-save performance from senior goalie Kyle Conklin and midfielder Will Greaves winning 19-of-22 faceoffs. Sophomore attackman Devin Paccione registered four goals and senior Army-bound Jake Martini tallied three in a game in which the Warriors jumped out to a 12-4 lead entering the fourth quarter. 
One of Wantagh’s early-season standout wins in Nassau County’s Power League was a 15-11 triumph against previously unbeaten South Side in which the Warriors scored the game’s final six goals after falling behind 11-9. Dylan Martini led the offensive output with four goals with his younger brother Luke Martini chipping in with three while cousin Jake Martini tallied three.

“That game was a really great eye opener in the fact that we were up at halftime, we were doing a really nice job and Southside, who is a championship caliber program, scored four on us right away and they took the lead right back,” Polo said. “To see the resolve of those kids to chip back to tie it going into the fourth quarter and then going on to dominate the fourth quarter and keep them scoreless and score six unanswered goals shows that these kids believe in each other.”
Sophomore goalie Gianni Passaro also stepped up big against South Side with nine saves in his last game filling in before Conklin returned from a hand injury that kept him sidelined early in the season. He also shined in an 8-7 non-league loss to Bayport-Blue Point on March 22 with 15 saves. 
Wantagh followed up the Cold Spring Harbor win with a 18-7 blowout victory at Westchester County power Mamaroneck Saturday in which Luke Martini tallied five goals and one assist.
Polo said a big reason for the teams’ early season success has been the leadership of his five senior captains in long stick defensive midfielder TJ Carlo, defenseman Thomas Conway, Jake Martini, Conklin and Greaves. 
“They are humble and they are selfless and everybody sees that,” said Polo of his captains. “When you have those types of leaders it’s phenomenal.”
The Warriors will next hit the road Wednesday to face Manhasset, which knocked off Wantagh in last year’s Class C finals. Wantagh will then continue its grueling schedule with a visit to Suffolk County power Rocky Point Saturday for a 10 a.m. faceoff.