Miller Place Lacrosse Looks To Improve on Success

Boys Lacrosse

The Miller Place varsity boys lacrosse team finished 7-8 in its first year as a varsity program in 2010 and, under the direction of head coach Keith Lizzi, looks to improve in its second season.

Lizzi returns an experienced bunch that includes 12 seniors in 2011.

"We are counting on their leadership and maturity to build upon," Lizzi said.

The 2010 version of the Panthers only graduated three seniors and has already gotten off to a quick start in 2011.

The Panthers opened the season with back-to-back victories over Kings Park, 11-4, and their first league match against West Hampton, 9-4. They suffered a slight setback when they dropped a road contest, 10-7 to Smithtown East, but overall the team is ahead of where they were at this point last season.

Senior attack James Read has started out the season strong for Miller Place with three goals and nine assists through three games.

Sophomore Matt Liantonio, another player Lizzi mentioned as a key to the season, has been in goal for all three games thus far. He made a season high 14 saves in the victory over Kings Park.

When speaking of the team's offense, Lizzi also mentioned junior attack Jeff Reh as someone he'll be counting on this year. Reh has come through thus far and is second on the team with six goals while adding two assists. Ryan Callahan leads the Panthers with eight goals thus far.

The North Shore of Long Island is one of the biggest lacrosse hot beds in the country, something that is not lost on Lizzi.

"We respect such teams as Comsewogue, Rocky Point, Shoreham-Wading River and Mt. Sinai and what they've done for lacrosse in the area," Lizzi said. "But we are on a mission this season to compete with every team and take the season game by game."

Girls Lacrosse

Coming off a succesful 9-4 season that resulted in the program's first ever playoff appearance, the Miller Place varsity girls lacrosse team has entered 2011 with elevated expecatations.

Despite the success the team had last year, head coach Kerri Finn brought up the many close games the team battled in last season. 

"Last year we lost a few close games by one goal," Finn said. "The lesson we learned is that you have to work hard from the first whistle all the way to end."

The Panthers found themselves in the same situation in their first two games of this season. They dropped the opener at Middle Country by a score of 9-8, but bounced back to defeat Sachem East 9-8 at home.

All-county honorable mention for 2010 Casey Browne, who has commited to play for the Naval Academy next season, has handled the pressure put on her shoulders early on. Browne, a midfielder, leads the team with eight goals through four games.

"Last year we relied on a couple of key players on offense but overall our attack is much more balanced and we are more of an offensive threat," Finn said. "Returning experienced varsity players is going to help us in tight games."

Goaltender Marissa Doyen returns to anchor a defensive unit that is bringing back five of seven players and is "already connecting as a unit," according to Finn.
Last year's success also means a tougher slate of games for the Panthers this season, but Finn believes it's nothing her girls can't handle.

"The girls got a taste of success and we are looking to build off of last year," Finn said. "We have a much more difficult schedule this year and the girl's are up for the challenge.  They have been working hard during the offseason and are ready to compete."