GC defense stifles SWR

Defense is what grows wild in Garden City.

The Trojans, who allow fewer than four goals a game and allowed double-digit goals only once all season, again were nearly impenetrable Saturday night. They spelled LIC with a capital D and defeated Shoreham-Wading River, 9-4, in the Long Island Class B championship game at Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium.

After spotting the Wildcats (17-3) a 2-0 lead after one quarter, Garden City (18-2) scored eight straight goals, the last by Devin Dwyer (two goals, three assists) with 8:52 left in the fourth quarter. The Trojans will face Yorktown in a state Class B semifinal Wednesday in White Plains.

That Westchester County powerhouse had best be prepared for the tenacity and athleticism of defensemen Brian Fischer and Steve Jahelka and the quick reflexes of goalie Dan Marino, who made 11 saves. The defense has not allowed more than six goals in 14 straight games. It held Long Island's leading scorer, Tim Rotanz (68 goals, 42 assists), without a point.

"Tim is one of the best attacks in the country -- as a sophomore," Garden City coach Steve Finnell said. "That was a huge concern."

The coach can relax. The Garden City defense once again did its job. Jahelka, who sprained his ankle in Tuesday's victory over Manhasset in the Nassau championship game, was cleared to play Saturday morning. "The doctors said they never saw anyone recover so quickly from that kind of sprain," Finnell said. "The kids were inspired. Steve showed a lot of heart."

The Trojans' offense isn't too shabby, either. Dwyer is the sixth-leading scorer on Long Island and is second with 58 assists. Patric Berkery, who scored the winner against Manhasset, had a hat trick and now has 25 goals. Tom Gordon got his team-leading 42nd goal during a four-goal second period that put Garden City in control.

SEE PHOTOSClass B final: Garden City 9, Shoreham-Wading River 4

"Berkery and Dwyer are three-year starters," Finnell noted. "Patric is very difficult to guard and Devin sees the field as well as any attack I've ever had."

Shoreham-Wading River's Mike Malave scored in front off a nice feed from Tom Rotanz for a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the game. SWR made it 2-0 with 3:49 left in the opening quarter on an unassisted goal by Malave.

"It's pretty comforting to know if we score five or six goals, we're guaranteed a win," Berkery said. "You want to score, but you don't have to worry about scoring."