Cuozzo still has a spark

Joe Cuozzo pulled two black mittens over his hands before

Saturday's game against Yorktown, and the fuse was lit. Always cool off the

field, the Ward Melville boys lacrosse coaching icon is a ball of fire once the

first faceoff is complete, and this early-season game was no exception.

Cuozzo confronted his players when they made incorrect slides or passes. He

challenged the officials after penalty calls. He even questioned his

assistants. And this was a game in which Ward Melville led from the start in a

13-6 win.

Cuozzo, 66, has demonstrated that kind of intensity throughout his 35-plus

years as a physical education teacher and coach. The mornings that start at

6:30 and the nights that often don't end until 10 are draining, but Cuozzo

remains passionate.

"I love lacrosse and I love the challenge each year of taking a new group

of guys and seeing what they can become," said Cuozzo, who has won 655 games

and 22 Suffolk, 15 Long Island and seven state titles. "I have a great

competitive nature. There are times when I think about [retiring]. It is

tiring, but I still feel like I can give it the energy."

The previous three years were especially hard for Cuozzo. After capturing

the Class A state title in 2000, Ward Melville has lost in the Suffolk

semifinals each season since then. It's Cuozzo's longest spell without an

appearance in the county final.

Ward Melville (13-4 last season) is seeded first in Suffolk Division I this

season. In what could be Suffolk's most balanced field ever, all eyes still

are on the Patriots. "Tradition, reputation and history is a burden that our

kids carry," Cuozzo said. "There is a lot of pressure."

Ward Melville features a defense that could produce another title. Junior

Andrew Maurer and seniors J.P. Mulhall and Will Konczynin form a unit in front

of goalie Josh Blechman that could shut down any opponent's attack. "There is

no doubt that we have the best defense on Long Island, if not the state,"

attack Mike Bartone said.

Midfielders Vinnny Scaduto, Ken Mazzone and Alex Blechman will support

attacks Bartone, Jason Ben-Elihayu and Joe Giardinello.

West Islip (14-3) has eliminated Ward Melville in the last two semifinals

but has fallen in the final. Midfielders Troy Turry and Dan Galasso are among

the multitude of weapons that could help West Islip win its first Suffolk title.

Northport (15-3) does not return anyone from the state finalist teams of

2001 and 2002. Seniors P.J. Caretsky (20 goals, 14 assists), Jeff Hall (22

goals, 10 assists) and Nick Filippone (14 goals, 10 assists) return.

Sachem (11-6) keeps building around Pat Perritt and Derek Dale. Defending

champ Smithtown (14-4) will rely on goalie Joe Marra.

Classes B and C

Shoreham-Wading River (19-1) could lead a competitive Class B race again.

Lee Schaknowski and twins Michael and Kevin Unterstein could lead 2002 Class C

state champ Shoreham to a third straight Long Island crown.

Comsewogue (14-3) returns a defensive-minded team with goalie Michael

Kennedy and John Mecionis. Huntington (13-4) features goalie Charlie Paar and

Pierre Delva. Rocky Point (12-4) is strong with attack Jeff Strittmatter and

defender Jack Vivonetto. Class C could be another final matchup between

defending champ Babylon (11-7) and Mt. Sinai (10-7).