West Islip boys lacrosse's Will Schwarz fuels strong second half, helps team reach another Suffolk final
West Islip celebrates its victory against Comsewogue during a Suffolk Class B lacrosse semifinal on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 in Port Jefferson Station. Credit: Dawn McCormick
West Islip’s boys lacrosse team last lifted a county title in 2023, snapping an 11-year title drought. The Lions followed up by making the finals again in 2024 and 2025 and have been searching for that euphoric moment ever since.
Nobody knows yet whether the Lions will roar with triumph Saturday at Stony Brook. But on Tuesday, they earned the right to determine that themselves.
No. 3 West Islip is heading to its fourth consecutive county final after beating No. 2 Comsewogue, 13-7, Tuesday in Suffolk’s Class B semifinal round. Will Schwarz dominated with four goals, four assists and a caused turnover on the ride.
“It’s really a great opportunity to make it back there once again,” Schwarz said. “We fell short two years in a row now, and this is the year to bring it home. We’re very excited to be there.”
West Islip (12-6) will face No. 1 Smithtown East at Stony Brook’s LaValle Stadium at 10 a.m. Saturday in the county final.
West Islip led by just one at halftime but quickly took control in the third quarter. West Islip goalie Brendan McMahon’s fourth save of the game spurred a Lions attack where Schwarz found Kyle Busking for a quick finish with 8:35 left in the third.
That goal kicked off a 7-2 second half in favor of West Islip, consisting of goals from Schwarz, Chase Busking, AJ Gentile and Michael Hazelton. Kyle Busking also had three goals. Peyton Bianca and Max Tate had strong days defensively alongside Angelo Lanteri, while Chase Busking and Schwarz impressed on the ride.
Highlights from West Islip vs. Comsewogue.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) May 27, 2026
COM’s Hunter Marquardt finds Gianni Marino, who scores through contact
WI’s Michael Hazelton finishes a beautiful possession with a BTB.
WI’s Ryan Hubbard commits theft (CTO).
COM’s Luca Lattanzio winds up for goal #72 this spring. pic.twitter.com/KBrL5OnZY9
Four goals, four assists from West Islip junior Will Schwarz v Comsewogue.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) May 27, 2026
Told me postgame that WI needed to start strong. With 3 of West Islip’s 5 first-quarter goals — and an assist on another — he did that.
A Maryland commit, Schwarz takes 71 points into the county final. pic.twitter.com/sBhm96JQPR
Comsewogue (12-5) struggled to set up attacks as penalties consistently set the Spartans back, with over 11 minutes in the penalty box.
“We were man down for seven and a half minutes in the second half,” Comsewogue coach Peter Mitchell said. “It’s hard to come back from that.”
Luca Lattanzio, one of Comsewogue’s 15-man senior class that Mitchell described as “resilient,” finished the season with 72 goals and 31 assists, only second in Suffolk to Harborfields’ Chris Prainito. He had two goals Tuesday, as did teammate Gianni Marino.
West Islip also won Tuesday’s game without first-year head coach Scott McAleavey, who was unable to attend because of a health issue. Assistant coach Scott Mattera said the hope is McAleavey will be able to return for the county final.
“We just want to practice with him one more time, play another game with him at least,” said Hazelton, who had two goals and two assists. “And hopefully bring home a county title.”
“It’s not over,” Schwarz added with a smile.
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
