Long Beach wins third straight

After suffering losses to one local powerhouse — Garden City — and one from the other side of the country — Seattle area — Long Beach’s boys’ lacrosse team will carry a three-game winning streak into Thursday’s showdown with Wantagh.

The Marines handled an improved Kennedy squad last Monday evening, 15-6, under the lights at Long Beach Middle School behind six points from senior midfielder Connor Sofield (four goals, two assists) and four goals an one assist from senior attack Joe Radin.

“It was a nice win tonight,” coach Jim Kasper said after Long Beach upped its record to 9-2 overall, including 3-1 in Conference B-II. “We had 10 assisted goals,” he added. “When we’re sharing the ball and playing the game the right way, we can play with anyone.”

The Marines found the net at least three times in every quarter against a Cougars team that came in with an 8-2 record. Jake Shapiro, Chris Parler and James Forkin added two goals apiece, while senior goaltender Mike Rourke made 13 saves. Kennedy got four goals from Christopher Jones and 17 saves from Alex Naftal.

It was the third consecutive games Kasper’s offense produced at least 15 goals. In the previous two games, Long Beach had a dozen goals by halftime. Everything clicked last Saturday in a 20-4 non-league win at East Meadow, and prior to that came a 17-9 win over New Hyde Park on April 18.

“Skill-wise and athletic-wise, this is the best team I’ve coached at Long Beach,” Kasper said. “We’ve had some great games against East Meadow and Farmingdale and beat some other quality teams, but other times we haven’t played as well as we’re capable.”

All but four of the goals against East Meadow were assisted. Forkin scored five times, and Radin and Ed Hommell added hat tricks. Radin and Sofield had four assists and Matt Sheehan added three. In the victory over New Hyde Park, Forkin and Alex Ehrlich led the way with four goals apiece.