Interview with Clarkstown South's Luke Haggerty

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LaxLessons.com | April 17, 2009

If you’re a Section 1 lax fan, there are plenty of afternoon games to pick from on Saturday.

Among them: John Jay at Horace Greeley, Lakeland/Panas at Iona Prep and Ward Melville at Yorktown.

But at 7:15 p.m., the red-hot Somers Tuskers will be hosting the Clarkstown South Vikings in what is an interesting game on several fronts.

First, the Tuskers have established themselves as the favorite to win the Class Bs sectional title. Somers also features perhaps the best all-around player in the area — and arguably the state — in Syracuse-bound Joe Marasco.

Clarkstown South, meanwhile, is off to an impressive 5-1 start. The Vikings beat a power-league team, 2008 sectional finalist Brewster, and became the first Rockland County team to defeat Rockland since 2006 on Thursday.

Can the Vikings possibly be a darkhorse contender for the Class B championship? We’ll know a lot more after Saturday night’s game.

One thing is certain. In four-year starter and Hudson Valley Empire State Games member Luke Haggerty, the Vikings have as good a goaltender as you’ll find in the region.

We caught up with him Thursday night after the Vikings’ big 8-4 win over North Rockland.

Do you think it takes a special type of makeup personality-wise to play goal and how would you describe your personality?

People have told me I’m crazy for stepping in front of a ballgoing up 100 miles an hour, but when you’re in a game, getting hit with a shot doesn’t really play a role on my performance.

Growing up with my older brother (former South star Chris Haggerty) shooting on me all the time and then stepping in the cage in practice, shots dont feel as fast.

I would say im an open-minded person who likes to have a good time.

How have been some of the top shooters you have played against during your time on varsity?
Just off the tip of my head, (Somers’ Joe) Marasco, (North Rockland’s Shane) Ferguson and (Mahopac’s Tyler Perrelle (Mahopac) are the top shooters that I have competed against.
Have you ever thought what it would be like  to score a goal maybe off a clear, and do you think it could happen?
It has gone through my mind multiple times when I walk up the field with the ball and not one person is open. I have gone over the midfield line a few times and actually have gone into the other team’s restraining box but have never shot — sadly.
Can you talk a little about the season so far and what it meant to beat Brewster, a power-league team, and North Rockland, a team that has has gone unbeaten vs. Rockland teams the last two years?
It’s been a great start for us at South. Our D has been real strong so far this season and our offense is coming together very nicely.
It was a real momentum swing for us to start off the season beating Nyack and Brewster. We had our doubts preseason but everything started to click once season started. Beating North Rockland today was something I have been waiting for, for a while. It was tied going into half 3-3, then our offense just took over and played very well.
You are familiar with JoJo Marasco.  What are you expecting Saturday night in your game vs. Somers?
I have been playing against Marasco for some time now and he is a player that you have to have an eye on as a goalie at all times.
He has such great field vision, so when he has the ball, you have to not only worry about him dodging and shooting, but dishing it out to teammates. If we have a strong performance, I think we can surprise some people against Somers.
Be sure to post your comments.

Posted In: Interviews

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3 Responses to “Interview with Clarkstown South's Luke Haggerty”

  1. Joe Lombardi says:
    April 17, 2009 at 11:15 AM

    FYI. Luke is a four-year starter for South (5-1). I originally did not word that properly.

    Reply
  2. pat--green and white says:
    April 17, 2009 at 11:32 AM

    Nice job Joe
    Good luck Hags

    Reply
  3. brewercrew123 says:
    April 18, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    Good job haggerty and good luck against the power house somers tonight.

    somers 9 south2 haggerty making something like 25 saves. Jojo has 4 goals while having 2 Assists.

    Reply

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