Undefeated Long Beach Lax Falls to Garden City

Story and Photos by Michael Sorenson

The Trojans (8-3), recognized as the number two team in Nassau County, pulled away from the  Marines in the fourth quarter to secure the 8-5 win at Garden City High School.

“This is a tough team we played today, but I think we were able to showcase our skills on both sides of the ball in this one,” said Garden City coach Steve Finnell. “This was a total team effort out there today, and that’s what we look for every time we step on the field.”

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The two squads played very different styles of offense. Garden City relied on their ball movement to create chances while Long Beach relied heavily on the dodging ability of Billy Kane (3 goals) and Chris Parler (2 goals).

Long Beach came into the game with a record of 11-0. Ultimately, it was Garden City’s stellar team defense that stymied the Marines in the offensive end.

“We wanted to come in here today and win, but even though we didn’t get the result we wanted, Garden City’s a great team, and I think we went out there and showed that we can play with these guys,” said Long Beach head coach Jim Kasper.

Garden City goalie Dan Dolan made 9 saves in the contest, while Long Beach goalie Sam Weiss made 13 saves in the losing effort. “Who knows what the final would’ve been without Sam playing the way he did today,” said Kasper.

One of the keys to today’s game was possession, and Garden City controlled the lion’s share. James Sullivan (1 goal), widely recognized as one of the best face-off men in the country, took the majority of the draws for the Trojans and helped his team to an 11-2 face-off advantage.

This win was particularly big for Garden City, as they were coming off their third loss of the season, coming against Manhasset in the 123rd annual Woodstick Classic this past Saturday.

“That was a tough one for us, that’s a game we look forward to every year,” Finnell said. “This doesn’t erase that, but it takes a little bit of the sting out.”

The Trojans play their next game Thursday at home against Calhoun. Long Beach has their next game, also at home, against Roslyn on Friday.

GC – 4-0-2-2
LB – 3-0-1-1

Long Beach  
Billy Kane – 3g
Chris Parler – 2g
Josh Ayzenberg – 1a  
Sam Weiss – 13sv

Garden City  
Justin Guterding – 4a
Jack Metzler – 1g, 2a
Cody George – 3g
Jack Worstell – 1g, 1a
James Sullivan – 1g
Kieran Byrnes – 1g
Lucas Clay – 1g
Dan Dolan – 9sv

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