I only wish I could make it to all of them.
Realistically, three is going to be a stretch. But I’m going to try. (Other than the postseason tripleheaders, this will be a first for me. So stay tuned, my friends.)
On Saturday, we will have team coverage of these five LaxLessons.com mega matchups:
Yorktown at Darien, 1 p.m.
John Jay at St. Anthony’s, 1 p.m.
Rye at Putnam Valley, 4 p.m.
Woodstick Classic: Manhasset at Garden City, 7 p.m.
Ridgefield at Somers, 7:15 p.m. (time approximate; follows 5:30 p.m. J.V. team between the teams).
During the course of the week, we have dissected and broken down each one of these games.
But there’s still plenty more analyzing to do. So be sure to get your last-minute thoughts in.
And your predictions.
Some of you have already started. Here are mine:
Yorktown at Darien, 1 p.m.
Analysis: This has to be the year, right? Well, we thought the same thing against Ward Melville. Yorktown will once again try to end the dominance of another longtime adversary. This though, they will be on the road. But Darien’s youth and Yorktown’s defense will be the difference.
Prediction: Yorktown 10, Darien 7
For an in-depth preview of the Yorktown-Darien game, click here.
John Jay at St. Anthony’s, 1 p.m.
Both teams are now playing well after slow starts. St. Anthony’s picked up a huge 9-8 win over previously unbeaten juggernaut Delbarton Prep last weekend. John Jay, meanwhile, turned some heads by erupting for a 20-11 win over Horace Greeley the same team. The Friars have too much experience and firepower for the Indians to entertain upset ideas, however.
Prediction: St. Anthony’s 13, John Jay 6
Rye at Putnam Valley, 4 p.m.
Analysis: Last year was the exception, not the rule as Rye and Put Valley did not play in the Section 1 Class C title game. (Instead, Rye pulled away to beat Byram Hills.) But this year, all signs point to a reunion encounter between these two longtime finalists. In Round 1, the Tigers will have no answer for Rye’s Cole McCormack.
Prediction: Rye 9, Put Valley 6
For an in-depth preview of the Rye-Putnam Valley game, click here.
Woodstick Classic: Garden City at Manhasset, 7 p.m.
Analysis: Trojans have dominated the series of late, but Indians’ senior nucleus will end that run, though not exactly decisively. Both teams are playing extremely well. Manhasset’s lone loss was a one-goal setback to Comsewogue. Garden City, meanwhile, dropped its season opener to Syosset and has lost just once more to Maryland power St. Paul’s.
Prediction: Manhasset 10, Garden City 9
For an in-depth preview of the Woodstick Classic, click here.
Ridgefield at Somers, 7:15 p.m. (time approximate, game follows 5:30 p.m. J.V. contest between the teams)
Analysis: Are the Tigers in the best team in Westchester/Fairfield? It’s possible. A win here would go a long way toward reaching that goal and Ridgefield players and coaches (Yorktown High School alumni Roy Colsey and Don Connolly no less) know it as their 24/7 preparation for this game attests. Ridgefield has scouted Somers exhaustively and prepared extensively for this intriguing matchup. Is Somers up to the task? One thing’s for sure. The showdown between two of the nation’s top-ranked seniors Ridgefield’s Matt White (bound for Virginia) and Somers’ Joe Marasco (Syracuse) will be fun to watch.
Prediction: Ridgefield 12, Somers 8
In their always heated annual meeting, Rockland rivals Suffern and North Rockland square off Saturday at 11 a.m. at North Rockland. Let’s hear your thoughts on that one.
Also of note, the latest Under Armour/Inside Lacrosse national rankings were released today.
Yorktown, which was No. 6 last week, did not drop as much as it could have after losing to unranked Ward Melville, going from No. 6 to No. 12. Chaminade move up to No. 11 from No. 12.
There were no other big changes, really. Here’s the link.
Be sure to weigh in with your comments, analysis and predictions.
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Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, Long Island lacrosse
Ridgefield 15, Somers 12
Both offences are strong. Should be a shootout.
Yorktown 11, Darien 8
Down year for Blue Wave.
Connor E. Won’t be denied …
Set 10, GC 8
Put Valley 9, Rye 6 (OT)
You hit it on the head Joe. Garden City-Set should be a classic. I like Set 11-10. On paper, Set is the (much?) Better team but as we have seen in this rivalry that often doesn’t matter.
Town 12, Darien 5
Somers 9, Ridgefield 7
GC 7, Set 6
Rye 9, PV 5
scracthing my head on the PvLax score 9-6 in –ot hmm maybe meant 9-8.
I’ll go Pv 11- Rye 9 . I know cole is good but i think the two guys i saw at a Valley game will get their share on the face. Just enough to get the W
Town 12- Darian 11 in OT I bet Darian has scouted the last few games and will try to take out K.I. & J. R. , and let some others beat them if they can
Somers game –sorry lew i only know of what i have read on Ridge, and i have to go with Ridge, I hope Somers gets it but think Colsey may take this one personal.
Meant to write 9-8 (OT) lol
PV, I am a bit confused by 9 – 6 in OT? three balls shot at once all go in?
But I do like that score, this is PV’s year
Joe that is surprising Yorktown didn’t fall more in the national rankings. Thanks for posting the link.
Pv Lax I’m scratching my head on this score 9-6 in ot did you mean 9-8
For the Rye Game i’ll take the Valley 11-9. Cole is big gun but after watching a Valley game they have two guys that will get just enough to get the W.
Town 12-11 in OT . The game plan is out now make someone else beside K.I. or J.R beat you , That said someone else will
Somers -sorry Lew But Colsey makes this one, personal 14-8 . I a very tough game . bring the ice paks for after the game.
I like:
Yorktown 11, Darien 6:
Having seen both teams I think the Blue Wave have serious matchup problems against Ranagan. Fox should contain Darien’s top middie, John Bolton. Yorktown’s close defenders are as good a unit as any in our area. A lot will be asked of Tyler Foley and somebody better be aware of Case Matheis on the crease. Gorski and/or Caputo can contain Interlicchio. Casey will have to pick up the slack.
Ridgefield 17, Somers 10
I don’t think Somers, defensively, can slow down all the options Ridgefield has. Matt White is a different player than Marasco in that he quietly makes the his whole offense better, while Jo-Jo can singlehandedly take over a game.
Manhasset 11, Garden City 8
English is phenomenal obviously, but this game could come down to how well Cappellini does against Fuller, if indeed that’s the machup. Watch out for Jeff Molinari. He’s an exceptional talent.
Rye 7, Putnam Valley 5
Just taking a blind stab on this one.
john jay 3 St Anthonys 23
Look, Roy Colsey is at his best when he has a chip on his shoulder. The whole fallout over his leaving Greeley after one year has given him an ax to grind. He’s been preparing his players for JoJo and Somers since before the season began. No way Ridgefield loses. I’ll say 13-8 Tigers.
Ripo –
23-3 ha. It won’t be that bad only because the Sav’s will hold the ball again. Jay is playing better but with all the great games on Saturday this mismatch won’t be worth watching IMO.
Nah the Savs won’t play stall ball again. That was early in the season with a young team. They are playing better now plus they don’t want to get a reputation for doing that. If they do these teams won’t play them again despite what they may say.
I agree, Freddy. I think John Jay will run a deliberate offense against St. Anthony’s but not hold the ball the way it did vs. Manhasset.
Your point that it was early in the season and JJ is a young team is a good one. I also think Nick Savastano felt Manhasset was just that good. St. Anthony’s and Yorktown certainly are, but I think now that we’re at the midway point of the season and those young players have more confidence and frankly have improved since then John Jay will not run a “stall” offense again.
It’s funny. A week or so ago, I was asked if JJ would ever hold the ball vs. Yorktown. I just don’t see it ever happening. There’s too much pride in this rivalry for that to ever happen on either side.
If you send your team to rye you will be missing a good game.
Joe –
I plan on hitting up Put Valley myself on Saturday as part of my trifecta.
We will have updates and reports on all five games I previewed in the main body of this post, and, as we always do, all sorts of scores and highlights from games throughout the region, thanks to all you folks who weigh in with your info/thoughts/comments.
I hope Stewart is back soon some big games coming up for JJ. To tell the truth I don’t think they have much of a chance against St. Anthony’s but against L/P it should be a close game.
After watching that interview of the Hopkins duo, I would say their heads are in the right place for this one on Saturday….
Ytown-14
Darien-11
Darien always seesm to give Town fits but in a close one Town 10-9
joe what i meant was you have the game listed as at rye. Rye is traveling to putnam valley for this one
Gotcha. Thanks, Joe for catching that on one of the references. It’s been fixed. The game is definitely at Putnam Valley. In fact, I’m going to use some of my frequent flyer miles going from Darien to Put Valley.
pack a lunch that’s a drive
Yorktown 11 Darien 6
Down year for the wave; Yorktown will be taking the wave, and riding it’s momentum into the state playoffs
John Jay 5 St. Anthony’s 11
John Jay’s youth will not be enough. St. Anthony’s looking to find some consistency against a growing John Jay team.
Rye 12 Putnam Valley 6
Putnam Valley is a program on the rise, but still doesn’t have the guns to take down the Garnets. McCormac will win 80% of faceoffs and patience will be the key.
Manhasset 11 Garden City 10
The key: Connor English. Garden City has had the upper hand in this rivalry, but Connor English will not stand for a defeat in this matchup. The UVA bound senior will be lights out and if he’s double teamed, he’ll look for the open man.
Somers 5 Ridgefield 10
This will not be as close a game as everyone is hoping for. Ridgefield may be the best team in the region. Roy Colsey has these boys developing into superstars… The only thing the Tuskers have going for them is the great JoJo Marasco and home field advantage. Matt White vs. JoJo, can’t wait- it’s the matchup to watch.
Somers will be up for RField, but not at the level that they were for Town.
Joe another big game Saturday is Suffern at North Rockland seems everyone on that side of the river forgets about Rockland. Not to say the rockland teams are as good as some of the Westchester Putnam teams but Suffern North Rockland is always a big game on this side of the river
Some of you might want to change your picks. Chris Longo is not playing against Ridgefield!!!
Why is Longo out
Manhasset 10 GC 9 in OT…game of the day.
Yorktown 8 Darien 5…tide is going out on the Wave this year
Ridgefield 16 Somers 6…this one is over early, if they charge admission should be half price.
Why is longo out???????
Let’s go with –
Darien 8 – Yorktown 7
Somers 13 – Ridgefield 11
Garden City 9 – Manhasset 8
I noticed in the writeup of the Danbury game that Colin Scott did not have a point, is he ok, or just getting a breather? Brother Aidan got on the scoresheet, which was nice to see. It’ll be interesting to see if the Ridgefield – Somers game is close (as predicted here) to see how the Tigers react if they haven’t put Somers away by the 3rd quarter, as they have with everyone else this season. I’m basing my score for that game on the notion that Marasco must be getting tired of hearing all week how Ridgefield is going to embarrass them on their own field. No one else here is giving them any chance of winning, that’s motivation in and of itself.
Darien – Yorktown comes down to how the Wave defend Ranagan, the attack and D for both teams would seem to offset each other. If Yorktown has a decided advantage at midfield (faceoffs, ground balls) then their senior class will be able to say they beat Darien, which is more than the ’08 class can say. If not, then the home-field advantage may carry Darien through, even if the CROP sends 10-12 kids over in the minivan.
Joe, make sure you say hello to Lou DeRosa at the concession stand. Best food in town!
Enjoy the weekend!
Tomorrow’s Yorktown-Darien game will be dedicated to memory of Tom L.
If you are a lacrosse player or coach in Yorktown or Darien, then you knew Tom Lener. Tom L., who died last November, attended hundreds of games each year high school, college, summer camps, you name it.
Though he himself never played or coached, he was as well-known in the area as many who did.
[…] SHOWDOWN SATURDAY: Your picks […]
North Rockland vs Suffern tomorrow should be interesting if for no other reason than the fact both teams are down this year. I’ll go with Suffern 8-6 because they have a clear edge in goal with Bryan Bergstol.
Look I know its not a marquee game but I’m looking forward to watching Mahopac and Bronxville. Bronxille gave Iona a good game. Pac needs to rebound from Yorktown game especially on offense.
Pac 11
Bville 7
Wonderful gesture dedicating the Town/Darien game to Tom L. That man’s knowledge was so deep he even know the name of this 2nd string Cornhusker.
Why is NR vs Suffern at 11 am. Its always the game of year in Rockland and should be played under the lights!
Set-GC will be down to the wire. I will be there and give my thoughts. Those who can’t get there can watch it on MSG on Sunday. I think it’s the Indians year. Let’s say 9-8 for the score.
St. A’s has a lot of confidence right now and too much offense for John Jay to handke. Joe’s pick is again on the money I feel. Let’s say 14-5 Friars.
Yorktown vs. Darien will tell us a lot as will Somers vs. Rudgefield. I suspect by 10 pm tomorrow we will know who the clear favorite to win the FCIAC title is.
Rye/PV
Coming off the win over Brewster, look for Rye to play at its highest compettitive level on O and D. Yes winning F/O’s is a real advantage but the Team knows there’s a lot more to winning the game then just this aspect.
I feel strongly Mahopac will be clicking on offense tomorrow vs. Bronxville. The boys will be chomping at the bit to light up the scoreboard after the Town game. So I will say 15-6 Pac. Play hard boys.
13-6 Field over Somers
11-7 Town over Darien
7-4 Rye over PV
10-8 Sett over City
joe answer the question about the somers goalie
No offense to J Devito, but he is not ready for the likes of Ridgefield.
No Longo means Ridgefield-16
Somers- 5
Have to admit this game scares me. Pv is def playing well right now. I say we take it 7-5 though.
Just to add to what I wrote earlier. Somers coach Lew Janavey confirmed junior goaltender Chris Longo will not be starting Saturday vs. Ridgefield as a result of a team issue. There is no word on his status in games next week or beyond that as of right now.
Who’s the back goalie up at somers? What year is he?
their goose is cooked!
Jordan DeVito will start tomorrow night in goal for Somers vs. Ridgefield.
He’s a sophomore and a second-year varsity player.
Ummm. Not starting is totally different than not playing. I don’t think I’ve seen any statement to the effect that the coach said he is out for the game. Only that he is not starting. Care to clarify Joe?
Come on peeps, Somers was cooked regardless of who is in goal. This may just change the spread from 10 to something more like 13+ points. We will see this tomorrow and the final reckoning come June…WI should have scheduled the Field, would have been entertaining to watch WI lose to the upstart/underdog. Maybe next year.
Yes, Lew Janavey made a point of saying Longo is not starting tomorrow and until further notice rather than not playing. He declined to get into specifics, and I think that’s more than enough info. Remember, these are high school not pro or even college athletes. Issues like this come up all the time and most of the time are addressed strictly internally. I report the facts so that there are no inaccuracies, but I have no intention of exploring this or similar matters beyond that unless the situation warrants it.
Sorry Joe, geez. Just thinking about situations like football where maybe a starter is held out first series then substituted back in. I was NOT looking for details. I’ll go to my room for my time out now.
You’re right Joe. That is more than enough info. So please relax Ripo and FranklyScarlett and anyone else. Joe you handled this perfectly. You’re a real pro and a class act.
Just realized I neglected to pick the SA-John Jay game. Let’s say 13-8 SA.
Rye 10, PV 6
Garnets are going to rise to the occasion.
Somers Distractions not good. Spring and seniors dont mix.
Umm Longo is a junior nitro but I kno what u mean.
guaranteed that THE CROP sends at least 3x more than the 10-12 we can fit in the mini. there will be a big array of support from yorktown, many parents are staying after the JV plays against darien… the crop will continue to map out the sports world and the huskers will ride “the wave” of the crop to a good ol’ W.
get out the sun tan lotion and the beach towels. rumor is that the crop is looking for a nice tan
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