Mahoney, Lutjen lead SWR over Comsewogue

As the Shoreham-Wading River boys lacrosse players piled their plastic plates high with food during the traditional postgame tailgate feast Tuesday, compliments of an enthusiastic booster club, one adult appeared to be just as excited about the host Wildcats' 12-7 Suffolk Division II victory over previously unbeaten Comsewogue as any of the players.

"That's my 50th birthday present!" a beaming Bill Mahoney exclaimed.

His son, defenseman Chris Mahoney, was a big contributor to the gift. "When I woke up this morning, that's the first thing he said to me," the Ohio State-bound senior said. "He just wanted us to win this game. I took it to heart. He's always there for me."

Mahoney, a 6-3, 210-pounder, was a force in stopping the high-powered Comsewogue attack, leading a pressing defensive unit that formed a tight shield in front of goalie Tyler Lutjen, who was stalwart himself, with 17 saves. Lutjen had seven stops in the first quarter when SWR (8-1) built a 4-0 lead and kept the Warriors (8-1) from having their typical fast start.

"He kept us in the game early," Mahoney said. "Then we executed our defensive game plan well."

That mostly involved a zone that limited good looks for Comsewogue's high-scoring attack duo of Matt Cossidente and Tommy Hughes (one goal each).

"Our defense played great. They kept most of the shots from outside," Lutjen said. "I was feeling it. After a save, even the players on the sidelines were getting into it. When it gets like that, you can't stop us."

SEE PHOTOSShoreham-Wading River 12, Comsewogue 7

Comsewogue certainly couldn't. Its aggressive defense backfired when SWR countered with backside passes and backdoor cuts that helped produce the early lead. Evan Purdy, Trevor Brosco, Hunter Hayes and James Higgins scored the first-quarter goals. Brosco, Higgins and Hayes also scored in the second quarter, as did freshman Ryan Bray, as SWR led 8-2 at the half and weren't seriously threatened.

"This is a big rivalry game for us," said Brosco, who like Bray, had a hat trick. These teams used to compete for Suffolk Class B supremacy, but SWR is now a Class C team so they will not meet in the postseason.

"I knew if we kept our composure against their pressure that we'd have an opportunity to win," Wildcats coach Tom Rotanz said. "We made the extra skip pass that defines a good team."

A team that delivered a special gift Tuesday.