Wantagh''s run ends in hard-fought final

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The Wantagh boys’ lacrosse team ended its season with a hard-fought 15-9 loss to Manhasset in the Nassau Class C championship game May 31 at Hofstra, but the Warriors have plenty of reasons to keep their heads held high.
“Last season we finished in the semifinals and this year we made it a step closer to the championship,” coach James Polo said. “Hopefully the next step is to win it. We’ve got the groundwork and we’ve got the potential with the younger players returning to be successful again.”
Key wins for Wantagh (13-6) were victories over Kellenberg, Farmingdale, and Port Washington. The Warriors were seeded No. 2 in the playoffs and eliminated North Shore and Plainedge on the way to the final.
“I pride my team on playing a tough non-league schedule because that’s the only way we’re going to get a chance to beat a Manhasset or a Cold Spring Harbor,” Polo said. “It’s my job to get these boys prepared and that was my goal this season. I think that we did a good job by getting them prepared with one of the toughest non-league schedules out there.”
Leading the charge for Wantagh were Nick Capelli, Antony Tsakos, Danny Fien, Brian Dardy, and Michael Aufiero. Tsakos led the team with 50 goals and added 25 assists, while Fien led the team with 49 assists. Capelli, Fien and Dardy were notable for scooping up ground balls, their grittiness, and all- around hard-working play.

“[Aufiero] was one of our captains this year. He was more of the, get out there, work his heart out and just leave it on the field every single day players,” Polo said. “When your better players are your leaders and they work hard day in and day out, that sets the tone for all the younger kids and they follow the lead. The leadership by the senior group was great.”
Wantagh carried nine seniors, eight of whom will be playing at the collegiate level. In 2024 the Warriors will need their current juniors and underclassmen to follow in the footsteps of this year’s senior leaders. Four expected to lead the charge next season are Jake Martini, T.J Carlo, returning goalie Kyle Conklin and face off man Will Greaves.
“[Greaves] is obsessed with it,” Polo said of draws. “He works all the time. When you’re trying to perfect your craft and other people see that they want to start perfecting their craft. It’s all contagious.
“Once people buy in and they see what’s going on, that’s the only way a team can be successful,” he added. “The individual goes aside and the team buys in.”
Polo is hoping to continue the string of getting better every year. The next step would be winning a county title.
“I think the seniors laid the groundwork for the next crop of players coming up,” he said. “I’m going into my sixth season now as the head coach and we’ve made great strides. It’s been a bit different than the way that it had been in the previous regime. I want nothing more than to win a county championship, that’s my goal. That’s been my goal since I started.”