Rotanz-to-Rotanz music for SWR in win

The Rotanz brothers have always played together -- in the backyard, that is. On the Shoreham-Wading River High School team, however, Tim, a sophomore attack, has been starting since the eighth grade. Senior Tom, also an attack, didn't break into the starting lineup alongside his brother until this season. Any problems for their father, Wildcats coach Tom Rotanz Sr., at the dinner table or on the field? No way.

As Tom Jr. has said many times, "Tim's better than a lot of people, not just me."

Indeed, Tim led the team in scoring as a freshman and has scored winning goals before. But Friday, he showed respect for his elder.

Tom took a feed from Tim and buried a shot in the top-left corner with 1:14 remaining for what proved to be the winner in host Shoreham-Wading River's 9-8 victory over Sayville in a Suffolk Division II lacrosse game.

"I was breaking and we had a little transition going," said Tim, who had a goal and five assists. "The defense slid early and the back side was open."

Tim drew a couple of Sayville defenders to him and put the pass in a perfect spot, allowing Tom to beat standout goalie Pat Fleming (15 saves) and render meaningless a Sayville goal with two seconds left.

"The pass came so quickly from the other side. Tim did all the work," said Tom, who had two goals and an assist. "All I had to do is shoot it. That was easy. He's always taking the hits so we get the easy shots."

SEE PHOTOSShoreham-Wading River 9, Sayville 8

It was one of three Rotanz-approved Rotanz-to-Rotanz goals. Tom took a pass from Tim with 7:19 left in the first quarter to give SWR (5-0) a 2-0 lead. Less than four minutes later, Tim fired a low rocket off a smart feed from Tom.

"We know where we're going so well, sometimes we're not even looking when we make the pass," Tim said.

Josh Tordik (three goals, two assists) scored goals a minute and a half apart to tie the score with 6:28 left for Sayville (3-2) and coach Rotanz said he considered calling timeout just before his sons teamed up for the clinching goal. "But we were averaging 17 goals a game coming in and that's because we're a very good in-transition team and we push the ball," Rotanz said.

Certainly Tom Jr. was glad his father let his sons keep pushing. He said he'd never scored such a big goal before. "It feels great. Oh yeah," he said, flashing a huge smile.

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Standing nearby, Tim's smile was just as wide.