West Hempstead edges Lawrence

The weather conditions were wet and uncomfortable at Lawrence High School on May 4, but you would have never of know that by looking at the postgame sideline of the West Hempstead boys’ lacrosse team, where just about every player walked off the field with a wide grin on their face.

This season has mostly been a struggle for the Rams, but on this evening the team could finally celebrate, as it earned its first division win of the season, defeating the Golden Tornadoes 8-6. 

Perhaps no one was more excited about the victory than West Hempstead head coach Mike Paul, who could be seen checking his pulse on his neck in the game’s final seconds. “It’s a pretty awesome feeling,” Paul said. “Offensively we were able to control the ball, and defensively we were staying home and doing what we were supposed to. It was a really nice win for us.”

On the opposite side of the field, it was another difficult loss for a Lawrence team that has dealt with a challenging season of its own. The rebuilding Golden Tornadoes have suffered through plenty of recent growing pains after a highly successful 2015 campaign.

“Our kids are fighting hard, but we definitely have a lack of experience,” Lawrence head coach Joe Martillotti said. “That shows when we get in these tight games and we can’t finish.”

Most of the scoring came in the opening quarter. The Golden Tornadoes controlled much of the play, but only held a 4-3 lead after 12 minutes. Senior Brandon Patterson found the back of the net twice for Lawrence in the first.

In the second quarter things tightened up, and only the Rams cracked the scoresheet. Goals from seniors Brenden Sheeler and Daniel Outmazine allowed West Hempstead to hold a 5-4 halftime advantage. 

Lawrence rebounded early in the third, scoring twice in the first two minutes of the period. First Danny Amaya ripped a shot from twenty yards out to tie the game. About a minute later, Amaya set up junior teammate Kenny Hill for the go-ahead strike.