- First Posted: 2025-03-19
- Updated: 2025-03-19 13:00:24
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Nassau Class A Preview
This year Class A consists of thirteen total teams, eight of which will qualify for the Nassau County playoffs. Five of the teams- Massapequa, Farmingdale, Syosset, Port Washington, and Oceanside will play in League 1 (sometimes known as the "Power League") while the rest will be split between Leagues 2 and 3. Farmingdale has won the last two Nassau A titles, while Port Washington, Syosset, and Massapequa have each won one dating back to the 2019 season. The Dalers, Braves, and Chiefs have combined to win 29 of the 38 total championships dating back to 1986.
This year, Massapequa was given the top seed as voted on by the Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association, with Farmingdale, Syosset, and Port Washington rounding out the top four. Oceanside is the five seed and perhaps has their best team in years, while Herricks, Hicksville, and Plainview Kennedy are programs with some returning talent and will be competitive in League 2.
OLD BUT NEW
This year both Massapequa (10-9 in 2024) and Port Washington have new head coaches in Kevin Catalano and Glenn Lavey, respectively. The Chiefs have been a top Class A team for years, having won state titles in 2013 and 2019 under coach Tim Radomski. For the Vikings, last years 4-12 record was a drastic dropoff from the previous seasons in which they won the Nassau title in 2022 and appeared in the title game in 2023.
Massapequa has a strong sophomore class, featuring defender Justin Farrell and attackers Rocco Spallina and Nolan Wieczorek. Senior leadership will be provided by goaltender Michael Jannotte, a Stevens commit who made 201 saves a year ago, and midfielder Joey Diesso, who is headed to Adelphi. Junior attackman Tyler Byrnes, commited to UMass is back as well for a team that gave Farmingdale a battle before falling in the Nassau title game a year ago.
The Vikings should be strong on defense with Harrison Behan and Nick Noga returning for their senior seasons. Sophomore Max Enyon is back in goal for his third season and has 191 career stops to his credit. Port will be young offensively, with senior attackmen Brendan Lang (Muhlenberg) and Liam McCarville as the key senior returnees. If Lavey can get the offense to gel, the Vikings could be looking at a return to the form they showed in 2022.
CONSISTENCY COUNTS
Farmingdale (17-6) and Syosset (9-9), the #2 and #3 seeds respectively have been the model of consistency for years in Class A. The Dalers are the two time defending Long Island Champions and appeared in consective state finals for the first time in school history. Farmingdale is one of two (Manhasset being the others) Nassau teams to have won at least one championship in six straight decades. The Braves are in the hunt for a championship every year under coach John Calabria (277 career victories) and have had some of the top high school players on Long Island on their roster every year, with names like Mac O'Keefe, Jack Monfort, and 2024 Krumenacker Award winner David Disque.
After a slow start to 2024, Farmingdale found the right formula under first-year head coach Eric Dunne, winning eleven straight games before falling in the NYS Class A final to McQuade Jesuit in overtime. The Dalers always are solid defensively and this year is no exception with Matt Ippoliti (LIU commit) and junior Mike Galgano (UMass commit) manning the back end and senior two-way midfielder Jake Mangio (Bryant commit) roaming the middle of the field. Graduation hit the offensive end hard, but with junior JJ Damo (LIU commit, 227 faceoff wins in 2024) back at the faceoff X, Farmingdale should have the ball plenty. Look for junior three-sport star Josh Kama to become a household name this spring. "We're in a great spot in terms of returning a lot of experience and players understanding what it takes to be champions" said Dunne. "However, each year is different, and players will have to fill the voids left by the graduation of some talented seniors. I believe we have guys who bought into putting in the work needed to step up the challenge and continue our culture of working hard and getting the details right."
Syosset has talented players at both ends of the field in senior Will Cawley on defense and junior Brody Waxer on attack. Cawley, a Lehigh commit, will team with classmate Evan Ostranger to give the Braves a solid defensive duo in front of junior goaltender Josh Weisenfeld (LIU commit, 142 saves in 2024). Waxer has been a mainstay for Syosset since 8th grade and enters 2025 with 144 career points. The Michigan commit is the most accomplished returning offensive player in Class A and will team with senior Nick Turner (Geneseo commit) to power the Syosset offense. The continued development of a strong junior class could be the X factor this season for the Braves who look to win their first Nassau championship since 2021.
LOOKING TO CRASH THE PARTY
Oceanside (11-6) begins the 2025 season with high expectations. "We have young players playing high level club ball and in showcases all over nationally. I never have seen this high level of play and IQ so naturally ever in my time here" said second-year head coach Mike Santisteban, who has been in the program for many years as an assistant . "I am proud of many of the committed players we have going off to play at the collegiate level and I hope they raise the bar this season for future players."
Oceanside returns 9 of 11 starters, including two goalies who split halves. They are excited to compete in League 1 this year which should help them be better prepared for the playoffs, as well as playing a very competitive non-league schedule. Junior Brady Nardone (25-15-40 in 2024) returns at attack along with classmate Jack Passuello. Defensively they are stout, led by returning senior close defenders Dylan Bender (St.Johns commit), Will Purmann (West Conn), and LSM Cole Rinn (Springfield). With a strong junior class, the Sailors look to be in the mix in Class A for a few years to come.
RACE TO THE FINISH
The next best three teams in Class A will all play in League 2. Herricks (12-5), Plainview Kennedy (10-7), and Hicksville (10-7) were all playoff teams a year and look to have the inside track again this season. The question is how will it all finish, as all three teams appear to be stronger than they were a year ago.
Herricks moved last year up to A from Class B and had a strong year, defeating both the Comets and Hawks in the process, and earning the #6 playoff seed. This year the Highlanders have senior attackman Troy Madden back to lead the offense. The Mercy commit totaled 105 points by way of 48 goals and 57 assists. Coach Mike Chin said "...some established names are gone, but returning are a group of underclassmen who have multiple years of playoff experience, and, after a productive off-season, are eager and hungry to make a name for themselves as this season." Another talented player to watch out for this season is Patrick Nolan a smooth defender who will play at Wingate. A playoff quarterfinalist three of the last four years, Herricks appears to be on track to continue their success in 2025.
Plainview Kennedy returns 90% of its scoring from 2024 and a strong junior group for coach Michael Schatt. Attackman Nick Altmann and midfielders Chris Tripoli and Alex Kantrowitz combined for 150 points last year as sophomores and those numbers could increase in 2025. Two other juniors, Jake Ilardo and Matthew Fitzgerald return on the defensive end as well. Ilardo made 141 saves in 2024 and Fitzgerald contributed 4 goals and 37 gbs. Like Oceanside, this group could be building for an even better 2026.
Hicksville has two offensive stars back in Michael Gilbert and Brandon Dalton. Both players are seniors who have vast experience and can play both attack and midfield. Gilbert, headed to LIU, totaled 42 last year, as did Dalton. With a small number of return players, this duo will have carry the load for coach Tom Kinsella if the Comets hope to improve this spring in League 2.
LEAGUE 3 TEAMS
East Meadow (8-8) should be one of the best teams in League 3 this spring. Returning 90% of their scoring, the Jets will feature senior attackmen Bryan Tauber (43-9-52 in 2024) and Jack Caracciola (18-33-51). Senior Jackson Reger return in the cage for East Meadow, having made 165 saves last year and will lead a senior-heavy defensive group for coach Joe Cataldo.
Uniondale will be looking for more wins this year after only getting in the win column once a in 2024. Senior midfielder Adrian Ayala will be counted on heavily by Hugo Charles, who is entering his 13th season as the coach of the Knights.
Valley Stream graduated 13 players from a 5-11 squad and will need younger players to progress quickly in order to compete this spring. Senior attackman Nick Tartamella will be a bright spot for coach Matt Antoniou this year.
Both Freeport (2-13) and Hempstead (1-15) have new coaches this spring. For the Red Devils, Mark Andrejack replaces legend Harry Mohrman who spent 52 years as the Freeport coach. 16 seniors are on the Freeport roster, but only 20% of last year's scoring returns. Junior Mailk Groover in back in the goal, with 242 over his first two seasons. Kyle Gabrinowitz is the new boss in Hempstead, replacing longtime coach William Cherry. The Tigers have low numbers but should benefit from their schedule in League 3.