Panthers Notebook: Boys Lacrosse Takes Down Rocky Point

Boys Lacrosse

In its second varsity season, the Panthers (2-0, 3-1) took on crosstown rival Rocky Point (0-3, 0-5) and Tuesday with a 9-4 win over the Eagles.

Ryan Callahan and Jeff Reh led the Panthers with three goals each and sophomore goalie Matt Liantonio had 17 saves in net. The Panthers entered halftime with a 5-1 lead but had to stave off a comeback attempt from the Eagles, who were able to cut the deficit to 5-3 with two early goals in the third. After answering with one in the third they outscored the Eagles 3-1 in the fourth to seal the victory.

"I think we really worked at possessing the ball and picking up the ground balls which is the name of the game," coach Keith Lizzi said. "We were able to rely on our goalie, Matt Liantonio, to really step up and make some key saves for us and keep our confidence. The hustle and hard work between the lines was the difference maker I think."

The Panthers are in just their second season as a varsity program and did not face the Eagles last year, but with the Panthers rising up the ranks and an Eagles team that lost 10 starters from 2010 struggling, Miller Place was able to come out on top in the first meeting between the teams.

"We try to model ourselves like these programs around here," Lizzi said. "We have the utmost respect for them, but it just shows that these guys work just as hard as everybody else and they deserve these types of wins. They deserve to come out here and run wit the best of the best and they showed today that they can so it kind of puts us on the map as a program, which is a great thing."

The Panthers have two league games this week. They head to Bellport Monday, April 11 at 4 p.m. and face Babylon at home on Friday, April 15 at 4 p.m.

Girls Lacrosse

The Panthers' rollercoaster week started with a 14-2 loss to Hauppauge (4-0) Wednesday but ended with a 15-0 win over Center Moriches (0-4) Thursday. 

Hauppauge's Taylor Ranftle dominated the Panthers with seven goals to keep her team undefeated. Casey Browne and Kate Killeen each had a goal for the Panthers.

On Thursday the Panthers answered led by Kristen Ierna's five goals in a 15-0 drubbing of Center Moriches.

Ariana Monaco made six saves in the shutout and Marissa Soto and Devin Kelly added two goals apiece for the Panthers

The girls take on Eastport-South Manor Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and Comsewogue Friday at 4:30 p.m. Both games are away.

Baseball

It was three games against Sayville (3-0) and three losses to start off the season for the varsity baseball team last week. 

On Monday, April 4, Nick Acevedo took the loss in a 10-2 game. The Panthers lost again to Sayville, 6-2, Wednesday and in a tight 3-2 contest Thursday as Sayville won with two runs in the bottom of the seventh in a walk off win.

The Panthers start a three-game series with Rocky Point at home on Monday, April 11. The series will continue in Rocky Point on Wednesday and conclude at home on Thursday.

Softball

The Panthers (4-1) won two and lost one last week, taking down Rocky Point (2-2) and East Hampton (3-2) but losing to Shoreham-Wading River (3-1).

Jackie Gallagher earned two wins, shutting out Rocky Point Monday then East Hampton Wednesday. Danielle Soto went yard Wednesday for her first home run of the year.

Badminton

The boys (3-1) and girls (3-1) varsity badminton teams each won its respective games against Smithtown East Tuesday and Patchogue-Medford Thursday.

Golf

The Panthers fell to 0-5 in League II play with three losses. They fell 8-1 to Sachem East (2-0), 9-0 to Comsewogue (1-1) and 8.5-0.5 to Sachem North (2-0)

Boys Track and Field

The Panthers beat Rocky Point 74-67 with the help of Adam Devito's school record mark of 6 feet 7 inches on the high jump, eclipsing the old record of 6 feet 5 inches.

Girls Track and Field

It was an 81-61 victory for the Panthers (3-0) over the Eagles Monday. Katie Dubois won two events to lead Miller Place.