SWR boys lacrosse rebounds from playoff miss with 2-1 start
In his 10 years at the helm of the Shoreham-Wading River boys lacrosse program, Mike Taylor led the Wildcats to multiple Suffolk County and Long Island championships and even a New York State title in the 2018-2019 season. Last year, however, marked the first time in his tenure that the team didn’t make the playoffs.
They finished with an 8-8 overall record and concluded the regular season on the outside looking in.
“I think the boys realized that we actually have to work hard to make the playoffs,” Taylor said. “Seeing all the success over the years, it’s almost as if they thought making the playoffs was given and not earned. So that was a big eye opener for everyone that is returning this year.”
Shoreham-Wading River had graduated 16 seniors the year prior, many of whom went on to play major Division I lacrosse, so a rebuild period was expected. But with most of the team returning from last year, the playoffs should very much be in the conversation again with this talented group.
“We were one game away from making the playoffs last year, and it still stings today,” midfielder George Greene said. “I think we were starting to click towards the end of the season, but after how we started, it was a little too late.”
The Wildcats have started this season 2-1, with victories over Westhampton and Islip, and have only lost to Smithtown East thus far. The team must start strong this season, not only to build confidence as a team, but to show Suffolk County that the program is still as strong as ever.
In the game against Islip on Monday, which is also a Class C school and a perennial contender, SWR hit the ground running at Thomas Cutinella Memorial Field and ran the score up to 8-1 by halftime.
“I think we’re a very talented team,” sophomore attack Noah Gregorek said. “We just need to stay focused and just play one game at a time. We’ve got a bunch of new guys around, so we’re doing our best to bring everyone up to speed as fast as possible.”
Gregorek scored twice against Islip and assisted on four other goals. Through three games, the shifty attackman has tallied eight goals and eight assists.
“He’s our playmaker,” Taylor said. “There’s nothing he can’t do. I’ve gotten the pleasure of coaching all his brothers over the years, and I don’t want to say he’s the best, but I’ll say he’s a perfect blend of all of them.”
But just as high as things were soaring at halftime, the wheels fell off in the second half. Islip scored four consecutive goals to put them right back in the game. They continued scoring into the fourth quarter, making what looked to be a blowout into a closely-contested 11-9 finish.
“I’m glad we won, but did we really?” Taylor said. “We lost the second half 8-3. I think this was a good lesson for the boys to show that even if you’re up 8-1, the game isn’t over. We have to have the mentality that the game is never over, and I think that’s what was missing last year. They’re still learning how to win.”
Also finding the back of the net against Islip were Jack White, Brady Kitchen, Lucas Diamond, John Zoumas and Colin Neff.
A major piece of the puzzle hasn’t even suited up yet in senior Andrew Cimino, who has been nursing a hamstring injury since basketball season.
“That’s a pre-season All-American in my opinion that we just don’t have out there right now,” Taylor said. “That’s a major blow to our team because now we have guys playing out of place trying to compensate for his absence. I hope he gets back out there soon, but you never know with hamstrings.”
SWR will travel for a major trial against Nassau County powerhouse Manhasset on April 4. It will be the ultimate litmus test for what can be expected from this team this season.
