Looking for an “Under the Radar” team that could emerge from always competitive Nassau County Class A?
Keep an eye on Hicksville.
The Comets have a good upperclass nucleus and some dynamic sophomores, including University of North Carolina-bound attackman Patrick McCormick.
Look for Hicksville to be right in the mix along with such programs as defending state champion Farmingdale, as well as Syosset, Massapequa, Port Washington and Baldwin.
For more on the Comets, let’s get the perspectives of McCormick.
What have you been doing to get ready for the season?
During the offseason, I played basketball for my school team, which helped maintain my speed and quickness. I have been going to the gym, as well as shooting and working on my weak hand daily..
As a team we’ve had shooting workouts on the goalies 2-3 times a week along with having team practices once a week and playing in a winter league on Sundays.
How does your schedule look, what games are you looking forward to most, and who are some of your scrimmages against?
Our schedule is looking very good this year with some exciting non-league matchups, and some great league games. As a team, we are looking forward to playing against Cold Spring Harbor in a big non-league game early in the year. We are also looking forward to playing against Long Beach, which knocked us off in the quarterfinals last year but have now dropped down to Conference B. Along with playing Cold Spring Harbor and Long Beach, we are looking forward to our always huge league games against Syosset, Massapequa, Farmingdale, Port Washington and Baldwin.
What player or players on your team do you think will surprise some people this season?
This year, I think senior attackman Conor McAuley will be a player to look out for this year on the offense. He has great finishing skills in close and is an exceptional dodger. Senior midfielder Tom Geneva, has been a varsity player for three years and is a good two-way player who I think is going to have an exceptional year on the offensive end. We have a great battle going on in goal between Mike Venezia and JJ Germano, and I think either way we are going to be successful.
What do you think the strength of your team will be this year?
This year we return many key players from last year.
At midfield, we have a great group of seniors who can all play two-way lacrosse in Ryan Tarzia, Tom Geneva and Dan Yates. I believe Ryan Tarzia is one of the best faceoff men in the Conference and that will be a key to our success.
On the attack, I believe we have a good group with the “Mac Attack” in three-year starter Mike McIlwee, Conor McAuley and myself.
On defense, we return Hofstra-bound senior Shane Sweeney who is one of the best one-on-one players in the county, along with sophomore Tommy Brennan, and senior Zach Maron who were all key players on the defense last year.
How do you view the race in your league and who do you think some of the contending teams will be?
This year the race for the county championship in Class A is wide open, and anyone can win it. As usual the contending teams for the county championship are Syosset, Massapequa, Farmingdale, Baldwin and Port Washington along with us. I think its going to be a really good season in Class A, and I’m pumped for this year. I can’t wait to be back on the field and start playing.
For more info on Patrick, check out his player profile by clicking here.
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Posted In: Player's perspective, Section 8
