Defense continues to lead way as Carey boys lacrosse stays undefeated
Goalie Rich Metzger of Carey is congratulated after the game by teammates Billy Koutsoumbaris, left, and Luca Cirotti during a Nassau boys lacrosse game against Roslyn on Monday at Carey. Credit: Dawn McCormick
The scoreboard at one end of Carey’s field told a story again about the home team in these early days of the season. There was only a “2” up there for the visitors from Roslyn.
That meant the undefeated Seahawks had allowed a grand total of just seven goals over their first three games.
And this is lacrosse.
Not bad.
“I think we’ve been playing good defense all year,” Carey coach Tom Aiello said after Monday’s 8-2, Nassau B victory. “We’re very strong in the cage. We’ve got good leadership on the defensive end.”
Rich Metzger has had a great view. The junior goalie and Marist commit made eight saves in a 13-1 win over Jericho, 15 in a 5-4 win in OT over Long Beach and six more in this latest win.
“I’m seeing the ball, reacting,” Metzger said. “… All my guys, my poles, short stick d-middies, are all playing well. And the biggest factor playing defense is communication. I think we’re doing that really well.”
The Seahawks have had some injury issues.
“But the guys that are out there, we’re just playing really hard, which is positive,” Aiello said.
Christian Todaro contributed three goals and one assist. Christian Korszloski scored twice. And Chris Obertis had a goal and three assists.
Todaro, a junior midfielder who has committed to St. John’s, fed Korszloski for a goal just 59 seconds in. Then Todaro converted in a man-up situation and Obertis followed with a goal.
So Carey led, 3-0, after one quarter. Mason Wagman got Roslyn’s first goal early in the second. But Cormac Govaert picked up a loose ball and scored, and Todaro went on a run down the middle and scored. It was 5-1 at halftime.
Todaro also delivered the first goal in the third.
“Three-and-oh means nothing at this point,” Todaro said. “All that matters is in May.”
The Bulldogs fell to 1-4, but two of the losses were to a state champ (Manhasset) and a state finalist (Farmingdale).
Then there’s the injured No. 12. Standout sophomore attackman Josh Berger has been sidelined for the last four games. The hope is that he will be returning soon.
“Missing No. 12 is a big deal because he’s a very electric player,” Roslyn coach Jesse Sorensen said.
“There are mistakes that we need to figure out,” he added.
