West Hempstead to rely on effort

While the football and basketball programs have seen tremendous success of late at West Hempstead, finding respectability on the lacrosse field has been a difficult task. With a short roster of young, relatively inexperienced players, turning the corner will be a chore in 2014.

The Rams compete in Nassau Conference B-II, a league that includes Manhasset, Lynbrook, Bethpage, and Seaford. Things aren’t looking rosy for West Hempstead, which had dropped its first five non-league decisions, the latest an 8-2 road defeat at the hands of Valley Stream District.

The Rams come off a 2013 season that yielded four wins. With only 17 players on the roster, few with significant experience, matching or exceeding last year’s win total will not be easy. 

Coach Dom Carre hopes being aggressive and playing hard will result in a few wins. “We’re pretty young and inexperienced all over the field,” Carre said. “Some guys who played last year opted to play another sport, and we have a few injuries that are keeping other guys out, so out numbers are down. We’re going to have to play hard and really get after it if we’re going to win some games.”

Senior goalie Mike Mosca is one of West Hempstead’s top returning players. Mosca, a three-year varsity player, averaged 13 saves per contest over the first three games, but has missed the last two games with an injury. Mosca is a dedicated player who has a good stick and instincts, and leads by example.

Carre appreciates the effort he is getting from midfielder Vinny Messina. The hard-working sophomore is a solid two-way middie who never stops moving and isn’t afraid to take it to the cage. “What makes Vinnie effective on the football field is the same thing that allows his to be successful in lacrosse,” Carre said. “He’s strong and determined. He always gives maximum effort.”

On attack, the Rams are led by Sean Post, Bertram Scroggins, and Anthony Messina. Scoggins found the back of the net four times in an 11-7 home loss to Uniondale. Post scored a pair of goals in a season-opening 6-4 loss to Wheatley/Carle Place. Mosca kept things close by turning aside 14 shots.

The defensive unit is a work in progress. Senior Daniel Outmazgine, a two-year starter, anchors a young group that is hoping to improve.  

The Rams will host Sewanhaka on Monday at 4:15 p.m.