Rams hope to be competitive

For the past three seasons, there’s been a lot of frustration on the lacrosse field at West Hempstead. The team has dealt with rosters filled with youth and inexperience, and each season the Rams have faced a very difficult schedule.  

With a senior-laden roster and a schedule that provides a few more opportunities to be successful than it has had in the past few years, West Hempstead should be far more competitive in 2015-16. The Rams will compete in Nassau Conference B2. Lynbrook and Bethpage figure to be among the teams vying for league supremacy. 

Michael Paul, in his second season at head coach, believes his team has the makeup to be a formidable opponent for conference foes. “We have very few underclassmen, so it’s a much older group than we’ve had in recent years,” Paul said. “This is a team that has been around, so the guys understand the offense and defense very well. We want to be competitive and be in every game. The guys have a strong bond. They’ve grown up playing together.”

The Rams are winless in their first three games, but have shown considerable improvement. They’re finding the back of the net often, but haven’t been able to get into the win column. In a heartbreaking 7-6 loss to Clarke, West Hempstead held a one-goal lead in the final minute, but Clarke tied the game late and won it in overtime. 

Vinny Messina, a four-year starter, is the player who makes things happen for the Rams. The senior midfielder is a two-way player who never stops working. Messina is strong on ground balls, never avoids contact, and can go end to end with the ball.

Senior Jared Sills, who scored a pair of goals and assisted on another against Clarke, has a knack for finishing and chips in on faceoffs as well. Middie Matt Gitter is solid on ground balls. Fellow senior Armand Lashley is a three-year varsity player who isn’t shy about going to the cage.

Senior Brendan Sheeler has five goals, including a few highlight reel tallies, and a pair of assists over the team’s first three games. Sheeler is West Hempstead’s go-to guy. Senior attacker Daniel Outmazine does a good job on the wing and has an excellent shot. Senior Howard Ruggiano is a shifty attacker who has a good feel for the game.

Senior Michael Staines leads the defense. Staines is an aggressive defender who is generally matched up against the opponent’s best scorer. Liam Rockensies is a lockdown defender who uses his size and reach to his advantage. Paul is high on sophomore Emerson Maldanado. Junior Elvin Argueta does a nice job at long stick middie.

Out of necessity, senior Brian Patterson takes over in the cage. With no experienced goalie on the roster, Paul called on Patterson to take over in net, and he hasn’t disappointed. 

The Rams open their league season at home this Saturday at 10 a.m. when Plainedge comes to town.