Ryan Bitzer no longer mans the midfield, Alex Panagakos no longer stands between the pipes, and Keith Jefferson’s presence in no longer felt around the goal — those players have moved on and graduated. They’ve left holes to be filled in Riverhead’s lineup which for the first time in history last year made the playoffs.
But coach Vic Guadagnino is convinced, at least early on, that this team hasn’t taken a step backwards but rather a few steps forward. Most of last year’s starters return and have continually played with each other through the offseason in summer tournaments, fall tournaments, and winter leagues.
“Lacrosse is pretty much a full-year commitment,” Guadagnino admits.
Ryan Hubbard, All-County and All-Division, returns for his senior year as one of the captains at attack after scoring a team-leading 44 goals last year. Accompanying him on the front line will be junior Desmond Daniels and McGann-Mercy transfer senior Christian Reyes.
“Reyes came in June,” Guadagnino said. “So he’s been playing with us all offseason and seems to fit right in. He’s got good size, very athletic and a lefty, which is always a positive. He used to go to Riverhead so he knew a lot of our guys already.”
Austin Fitzpatrick, who played his majority of minutes on attack last year as a freshman, will now take the face-offs and slide down to a midfield position.
“He’s going to be a big factor,” Guadagnino said. “He’s our number one face-off guy now. He’s gotten so good at face-offs that we had to move him to midfield.”
Joining Fitzpatrick will be captain Dan Czelatka, who in the offseason committed to Stony Brook University to join up with fellow midfielder Ryan Bitzer. He led the Blue Waves in ground balls last year with 68 while also scoring 31 goals and recording 19 assists. Junior Mark Andrejack, will be the No. 2 face-off man and play midfield alongside perhaps the biggest name who has made national headlines with his verbal commitment with the University of Maryland as just a sophomore, long-stick middie Blake Carrara.
The defense returns in full strength featuring a line of all seniors. Captains Mike Van Bommel and Jaron Greenidge are joined by Ryan Harkin to reassert themselves as one of the toughest defenses in the County. They all played integral roles on the football team and hope to transfer that success to the lacrosse field.
Taking over for Panagakos in goal will be junior John Roca.
“Though this is his first year starting, John’s been on varsity since his freshman year so he’s used the competition level,” Guadagnino said. “He jumped right in for the summer and he’s been a good replacement for Panagakos.”
Guadagnino says this is the deepest team Riverhead has ever had. They have 26 players and everyone will play.
“Not everyone will play big minutes but everyone has a role,” Guadagnino said. “From top to bottom, everyone has something to do.”
In early February, Riverhead’s somewhat new-look squad took the field against Ward Melville on a cold winter day at Eastport-South Manor’s turf field. Keep in mind, Ward Melville was the state champion last year, they were the No. 1 ranked team in America.
Anyone would have ruled Riverhead out before the game even started. Both teams played their starters and both played hard.
The final score? 6-6.
No, that’s not a typo.
The Blue Waves are exuberant, full of confidence, and ready to take the next step. They understand that this may be the year they advance and make noise in the playoffs. It’s no longer a thought of if they can make it but rather where they will be seeded. They’ve been through it before, Guadagnino said, and the players now expect to be in the playoffs.
All that will start March 26, when they face off against Smithtown East at home the No. 4 preseason seed. Riverhead was awarded the 11th seed out of 27 teams in Division I.
“Our season ended in Smithtown East last year,” Guadagnino said. “But now we have them at home. We’re looking to get started strong right away with that game. They’re a highly ranked team and it will be a good measuring stick right off the bat for us. Plus, every kid remembers last May so we’re very excited to be opening with them.”
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