After making the playoffs for the first time two years ago, the Riverhead boys lacrosse team has made it again. Thanks to a high tempo of play, dominant midfield control and outstanding goalkeeping, the Blue Waves (8-7) have secured the No. 13 seed in the Division I bracket released by Section XI today.
The first round of the playoffs is set to begin tomorrow and the Blue Waves will travel to No. 4 Ward Melville (as predicted by seeding guru Dave Spinella) for a 4pm start.
Though the two teams didn’t meet during the season as Ward Melville plays in League I, Riverhead can expect a style of play comparable to that of Smithtown East or West. They finished 10-2 in the league and 14-2 overall, so the Blue Waves will have their hands full trying to defend a high octane attack that averaged 13.5 goals per game throughout the season. Jake McCulloch and Danny Bucaro both scored 40+ goals for the Patriots.
“Ward Melville is the historic pinnacle program of Suffolk County,” Riverhead head coach Vic Guadagnino said. “They are solid on both offense and defense with several DI recruits. They have phenomenal facilities at their school and are excited to go play the best.”
The Blue Waves will have to look to score goals early and often to be able to stay with the Patriots. To win the game, expect senior Mark Andrejack (38 goals) and junior Austin Fitzpatrick (36 goals) to have big games.
“Our 13 seed was a good finish for us,” Guadagnino said. “It will be a challenge facing the No. 4 seed but that is why you play to face the challenge.”
If Blake Carrara gets a few takeaways to shake the rhythm and sophomore goalie Jacob Coleman plays out of his mind, who knows, the Blue Waves could pull off the upset.
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