Plainedge advances to Nassau Class C semifinals after nail-biting win over Lynbrook
Brian Keaveney of Plainedge celebrates Owen Donnellan's goal against Lynbrook on Thursday. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Plainedge led by three at halftime. Lynbrook rallied to tie it. Plainedge led by four in the fourth. Lynbrook rallied to almost tie it.
These boys lacrosse teams desperately wanted a ticket to Hofstra, craved that berth in the Nassau Class C semis.
But it was the third-seeded Red Devils who managed to hold off No. 6 Lynbrook, 12-11, in Thursday’s quarterfinal on their home turf.
“As much as we didn’t play well, we still won,” coach Dan Achatz said. “And in the end, nobody cares about the score. You care about advancing in the playoffs.”
Brian Keaveney delivered three goals and three assists. Owen Donnellan also scored three. Dom Agovino and Brady Kelley had two goals apiece. And Andrew Picardi scored what proved to be the deciding goal.
“They kept coming,” Keaveney said, “but Coach kept motivating us, telling us that we want to play for another couple of days together.”
Achatz felt playing in the Power League helped.
“It gets you ready for these moments,” he said.
So Plainedge (8-9) will face the defending champion, second-seeded Wantagh, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday. The Red Devils were ousted by Wantagh in the 2023 semis and the 2024 quarterfinals. They also fell, 13-11, on May 9.
“I think we gave them a good go in the regular season, and we got a couple of guys back that we didn’t have,” Keaveney said. “So I think we’re going to have a real shot and kind of get revenge for the guys that graduated before us.”
Jack LaBarbera scored his third to cut Plainedge’s edge to 9-8 1:47 into the fourth. The Red Devils responded with goals by Agovino, Keaveney and Picardi — 12-8.
But Luke Dantona scored his second and Bennett Votano posted his third and fourth — 12-11, 2:44 left.
LaBarbera then made a great effort to get to the cage and score with the clock ticking under two minutes. But it wasn’t 12-12. The officials disallowed the goal.
“I was told he dove into the crease and he wasn’t allowed to,” Lynbrook coach Bill Luzzi said.
The Owls (11-6), who trailed 6-3 at halftime before drawing even at 6-6 in the third, lost by one in the 2024 quarterfinals, too.
“Just disappointed,” Luzzi said. “Our guys worked really hard. I was hoping we would win this game for them, especially our seniors who have been with us for a while.”
