Who is Brandon Gamblin and how did he impact Long Island’s lacrosse team at the Empire State Games. What skills make Gamblin stand out on the field. How did Long Island overcome adversity to clinch their fifth consecutive gold medal.
The Rise of Brandon Gamblin: A Lacrosse Sensation
Brandon Gamblin, a rising senior from Hicksville High School, has emerged as a formidable force in the world of lacrosse. His exceptional performance at the Empire State Games in Buffalo showcased his talent, determination, and impact on the field. Gamblin’s journey from a promising high school player to a key contributor in Long Island’s gold medal victory is a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport.
Gamblin’s Impressive Stats and UMass Commitment
Gamblin’s prowess on the lacrosse field is evident in his impressive statistics. Throughout the six-game tournament, he netted an astounding 18 goals, demonstrating his scoring ability and offensive impact. His performance has not gone unnoticed, as Gamblin has already secured a commitment to play lacrosse at the University of Massachusetts (UMass), a testament to his potential and skill level.
Long Island’s Dominance in Empire State Games Lacrosse
The Empire State Games have become a showcase for Long Island’s lacrosse talent, with the region establishing a dynasty in the sport. With their recent victory, Long Island has achieved an unprecedented feat in the tournament’s history.
A Historic Five-Peat
Long Island’s victory in the 2024 Empire State Games marked their fifth consecutive gold medal in boys lacrosse. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy as it makes Long Island the first region to achieve this feat since lacrosse became part of the Empire State Games in 1984. The team’s consistent success speaks volumes about the quality of lacrosse programs and players in the Long Island area.
The Rollercoaster Journey to Gold
Long Island’s path to the gold medal was not without its challenges. The team faced adversity and setbacks throughout the tournament, making their ultimate triumph even more remarkable.
Overcoming a Heartbreaking Loss
One of the most significant hurdles for Long Island came in the form of a devastating 8-7 overtime loss to the Central region. This defeat served as a turning point for Gamblin and his teammates, igniting a fire that would drive them through the remainder of the tournament.
How did Gamblin respond to this setback? Instead of dwelling on the loss, Gamblin channeled his frustration into extra practice, staying behind after the game to work on his shooting. This dedication and resilience would prove crucial in the team’s subsequent performances.
The Keenan-Gamblin Connection: A Winning Formula
One of the most intriguing aspects of Long Island’s success was the unexpected chemistry between Brandon Gamblin and Kyle Keenan. Despite having limited time to develop as teammates, the duo formed a formidable offensive partnership that proved instrumental in securing the gold medal.
Synergy on the Field
Keenan, an X attack player committed to Duke University, demonstrated an uncanny ability to find Gamblin in scoring positions. In the gold medal game alone, Keenan assisted on three of Gamblin’s four goals. This connection between the two players exemplifies the team’s ability to quickly build relationships and work together effectively.
What made the Keenan-Gamblin partnership so effective? The combination of Keenan’s precise feeding and Gamblin’s scoring instincts created a dynamic offensive threat that opposing teams struggled to contain. Their success highlights the importance of teamwork and adaptability in lacrosse.
Tactical Brilliance: Long Island’s Third Quarter Dominance
Throughout the tournament, Long Island displayed a remarkable ability to take control of games in the third quarter. This trend continued in the gold medal match against Central, where the team’s tactical adjustments and renewed energy proved decisive.
Turning the Tide
Trailing 4-2 at halftime in the final, Long Island’s third-quarter surge changed the complexion of the game. The team outscored their opponents and seized momentum, with Gamblin playing a crucial role in this turnaround. His go-ahead goal late in the quarter exemplified the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
Why was Long Island so effective in the third quarter? The team’s ability to make halftime adjustments, combined with their depth and conditioning, allowed them to consistently outperform opponents in this critical period of the game.
Key Contributors to Long Island’s Success
While Gamblin’s performance was certainly a highlight, Long Island’s victory was a true team effort. Several other players made significant contributions throughout the tournament.
- Zach Oliveri (Connetquot): The goalie’s stellar play, including 10 saves in the final, provided a strong defensive foundation for the team.
- Jake Froccaro (Port Washington): Despite suffering a mild concussion earlier in the tournament, Froccaro’s face-off skills proved crucial in securing possession for Long Island.
- James Pannell (Smithtown West): Pannell’s chemistry with Keenan and scoring ability added another dimension to Long Island’s offense.
- Tom Gordon (Garden City): Gordon’s timely goal in the third quarter of the final helped spark Long Island’s comeback.
The Mental Game: Mindset and Strategy in High-Stakes Lacrosse
Brandon Gamblin’s approach to the game highlights the importance of the mental aspect in high-level lacrosse. His ability to bounce back from setbacks and perform under pressure was a key factor in Long Island’s success.
Gamblin’s Winning Mentality
After the tournament, Gamblin emphasized the role of mindset in their victory. “It was all a mindset game,” he said. “We needed to start playing smart, take smart opportunities.” This focus on intelligent play and seizing the right moments demonstrates the mature approach that set Gamblin and his teammates apart.
How does mental preparation impact performance in lacrosse? The ability to stay focused, make quick decisions, and maintain composure under pressure can often be the difference between victory and defeat in closely contested matches.
The Future of Long Island Lacrosse: Building on Success
Long Island’s continued dominance in the Empire State Games bodes well for the future of lacrosse in the region. The success of players like Brandon Gamblin serves as inspiration for young athletes and highlights the strength of local lacrosse programs.
Nurturing Talent and Fostering Competition
The Empire State Games provide a platform for talented players to showcase their skills and compete against top-level opponents from across New York. This exposure not only helps individual players develop but also raises the overall standard of play in the region.
What impact does Long Island’s success have on youth lacrosse programs? The region’s consistent performance at the Empire State Games likely encourages increased participation and investment in youth lacrosse, creating a pipeline of talent for future tournaments and collegiate programs.
College Prospects and Beyond
Many of the standout players from the Long Island team, including Gamblin, Keenan, and others, have already secured commitments to play lacrosse at prestigious universities. This demonstrates the caliber of talent being produced in the region and the opportunities that success in tournaments like the Empire State Games can create.
How does participation in events like the Empire State Games influence college recruiting? Strong performances in high-profile tournaments can significantly boost a player’s visibility to college scouts and coaches, potentially opening doors to scholarships and playing opportunities at the next level.
Lessons from Long Island’s Lacrosse Triumph
The success of Brandon Gamblin and the Long Island team at the Empire State Games offers valuable lessons for athletes, coaches, and lacrosse programs looking to achieve similar results.
- Resilience: The ability to bounce back from setbacks, as demonstrated by the team’s response to their early loss, is crucial in tournament play.
- Teamwork: The quick development of on-field chemistry, exemplified by the Keenan-Gamblin connection, shows the importance of adaptability and cooperation.
- Mental toughness: Gamblin’s focus on smart play and seizing opportunities highlights the role of mental preparation in high-stakes competition.
- Consistent performance: Long Island’s third-quarter dominance throughout the tournament demonstrates the value of maintaining intensity and executing game plans effectively.
- Individual excellence within a team framework: While standout performances like Gamblin’s are important, the contributions of players across the roster were essential to the team’s overall success.
As the lacrosse world continues to evolve, the story of Brandon Gamblin and Long Island’s Empire State Games victory serves as a compelling example of what can be achieved through talent, dedication, and teamwork. Their success not only cements Long Island’s status as a lacrosse powerhouse but also sets a new standard for excellence in the sport.
Lacrosse: Gamblin’s The Man | Long Island Pulse Magazine
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin scored 18 goals as Long Island boys lacrosse won gold at the Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle Laviolette
BUFFALO — The stands at Canisius College had already cleared out. Hell, his entire team was long gone too. Hicksville High School rising senior Brandon Gamblin didn’t notice. He was locked in a duel with his own demons and an empty cage.
It was nearly 10 p.m. on Friday night, a half hour after one of the more physically and emotionally draining games of lacrosse Gamblin had ever played. A midfielder on the scholastic boys lacrosse team representing Long Island at the Empire State Games in Buffalo, favorite Long Island had just suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Central region.
The 8-7 defeat in sudden death overtime fell squarely on an offense which hardly possessed the ball in the first quarter and failed to score in the first 22:53 of the game. Sure, Gamblin did his part. He broke the ice with a powerful blast of a goal early in the third quarter to make it 5-1 and restore some much needed confidence.
But his shot was stopped by Central goalie Tyler White time and again in the second half. That’s why Gamblin stayed behind on a shadowy turf field bathed in the soft glow of the light towers, taking shot after shot at an empty cage.
“I was angry,” Gamblin said. “I felt we shouldn’t have lost that game.”
There’s no arguing with the result. Gamblin, a UMass commitment, played with a vengeance the rest of the way. After pouring in six goals to down New York City on Saturday, Gamblin proved just as unstoppable in the gold medal game on Sunday. He scored four times as Long Island (5-1) erased a 4-2 halftime deficit to beat previously unbeaten Central, 7-6. With the win, Long Island became the first region to earn gold in five straight Empire State Games since boys lacrosse became a sport in 1984.
The Kyle Keenan-to-Gamblin connection was so fluid, you’d think they had been teammates for longer than one month. In the end, the relationships the Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team built — starting with tryouts in June and continuing with 12 exhibition games in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – ended with a gold medal performance at the Empire State Games on Sunday in Buffalo.
“That was just unreal,” West Islip rising senior midfielder Michael Sagl said. “They were just finding each other. Keenan is a great feeder. Gamblin is a great shooter. They were finally able to hook up and it was just fun to watch.”
Keenan, an X attack, directed the offense with precision throughout the four-day tournament. That he had an uncanny ability to find fellow Smithtown West teammate James Pannell for open shots was no surprise. That he hooked up with Gamblin again and again spoke volumes of how well this team of all-stars meshed.
Keenan fed Gamblin for three of his four goals on Sunday.
“It’s not like I was looking for him. He was just open,” said Keenan, a Duke recruit. “He’s got a nose for the goal. He wants to score whenever he’s on the field. That’s his personality.”
It wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar play of Connetquot goalie Zach Oliveri (10 saves), who was in every respect the defensive stopper of the tournament. FOGO Jake Froccaro, a Port Washington junior, also played an important role after missing a game with a mild concussion suffered against Central.
Even Oliveri couldn’t stop Central the entire time. Long Island was victimized for goals twice in the final 1:14 of the first half when Ithaca’s Riley Lasda spun off his defender and broke free in the box. His score was followed by Tom Grimm’s quick strike to make it 4-2 Central with 43 seconds left. Grimm, a Syracuse commitment from Carthage, had the game-winner against Long Island on Friday.
The third quarter belonged to Long Island the entire tournament. This game was no exception. Pannell scored 1:39 into the third, and after pelting the Central goal with a barrage of shots, Garden City’s Tom Gordon scored the equalizer on a feed from Keenan with 4:01 left in the third. Gamblin juked past his defender and fired home the go-ahead goal to make it 5-3 with 1:37 left.
Long Island kept up the pressure from there. Keenan found Gamblin charging toward the net and the Hicksville scorer did the rest to extend the lead to 6-4 with 10:52 to go.
Fayetteville-Manlius attack Ari Waffle scooped in the rebound past Oliveri to make it 6-5 with 7:40 left.
But the Keenan-to-Gamblin connection struck once more to keep Central at arm’s length. Gamblin scored his 18th goal in six-game tournament – and fourth of the day – with 6:52 left.
“It was all a mindset game,” Gamblin said. “We needed to start playing smart, take smart opportunities.”
Jamesville-Dewitt’s Alex Hatem scored his second goal of the day on a diving play at the net close the gap to 7-6 with 4:20 left.
Long Island’s defense kept Central off balance from there. And after Central’s Austin Curtis received a one-minute penalty for slashing, Keenan and Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi held the ball and ran out the clock. All there was left to do was celebrate.
NOTE: Follow the Long Island boys lacrosse team’s quest for a fifth straight gold medal at: http://empirestatelacrosse.com
Empire State Games lacrosse news — Empire State Lacrosse
July 25, 2010
Smithtown West attack Kyle Keenan directed Long Island to its fifth straight gold at the Empire State Games.
Photo by Kyle Laviolette
BUFFALO – The Kyle Keenan to Brandon Gamblin connection was so fluid, you’d think they had been teammates for longer than one month. In the end, the relationships the Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team built — starting with tryouts in June and continuing with 12 exhibition games in Maryland, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania – ended with a gold medal performance at the Empire State Games on Sunday at Canisius College.
Keenan, an X attack, directed the offense with precision throughout the four-day tournament. That he had an uncanny ability to find fellow Smithtown West teammate James Pannell for open shots was no surprise. That he hooked up with Gamblin, a Hicksville midfielder, again and again spoke volumes of how well this team of all-stars meshed.
Keenan fed Gamblin for three of his four goals on Sunday as Long Island (5-1) erased a 4-2 halftime deficit to take down previously unbeaten Central, 7-6, in the gold medal game. Central (5-1) stunned Long Island, 8-7, in overtime when the teams met in pool play on Friday night.
With the win, Long Island became the first region to earn gold in five straight Empire State Games since boys lacrosse became a sport in 1984.
It wouldn’t have been possible without the stellar play of Connetquot goalie Zach Oliveri (10 saves), who was in every respect the defensive stopper of the tournament. FOGO Jake Froccaro, a Port Washington junior, also played an important role after missing a game with a mild concussion suffered against Central.
Even Oliveri couldn’t stop Central the entire time. Long Island was victimized for goals twice in the final 1:14 of the first half when Ithaca’s Riley Lasda spun off his defender and broke free in the box. His score was followed by Tom Grimm’s quick strike to make it 4-2 Central with 43 seconds left. Grimm, a Syracuse commitment from Carthage, had the game-winner against Long Island on Friday.
The third quarter belonged to Long Island the entire tournament. This game was no exception. Pannell scored 1:39 into the third, and after pelting the Central goal with a barrage of shots, Garden City’s Tom Gordon scored the equalizer on a feed from Keenan with 4:01 left in the third.
Gamblin juked past his defender and fired home the go-ahead goal to make it 5-3 with 1:37 left.
Long Island kept up the pressure from there. Keenan found Gamblin charging toward the net and the Hicksville scorer did the rest to extend the lead to 6-4 with 10:52 to go.
Fayetteville-Manlius attack Ari Waffle scooped in a rebound past Oliveri to make it 6-5 with 7:40 left.
But the Keenan-to-Gamblin connection struck once more to keep Central at arm’s length. Gamblin, a UMass commitment, scored his 18th goal in six-game tournament – and fourth of the day – with 6:52 left.
Jamesville-Dewitt’s Alex Hatem scored his second goal of the day on a diving play at the net close the gap to 7-6 with 4:20 left.
Long Island’s defense kept Central off balance from there. And after Central’s Austin Curtis received a one-minute penalty for slashing, Keenan and Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi held the ball and ran out the clock. All there was left to do was celebrate the historic victory.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Central | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 |
| Long Island | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
Goals – CN: Hatem 2, Waffle 2, Grimm, Lasda LI: Gamblin 4, Gordon, Keenan, Pannell. Assists – CN: Edwards LI: Keenan 4, Pannell. Saves – CN: White 16 LI: Oliveri 10.
July 24, 2010
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin scored six goals to lead Long Island to the gold medal game. Photo by Kyle Laviolette
BUFFALO – The Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team moved a big step closer to defending its gold medal by closing out play 4-1 after thumping New York City, 15-3, on Saturday at Canisius College.
The start was delayed a half hour by lightning. But once the game began, Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin was electric.
Two days after racking up five goals in a win over Hudson Valley, the rising senior midfielder poured in six more to single-handedly outscore the City (0-5). Gamblin, a UMass commitment, has 14 goals in five games at the Empire State Games. New York has never beaten Long Island, and after the Island jumped in front 5-0, it was clear it wouldn’t happen this time either.
Garden City’s Tom Gordon had two goals and two assists, Smithtown West’s James Pannell scored twice and added an assist and Smithtown teammate Kyle Keenan had a goal and three assists. Northport’s Tom Cordts recorded four saves.
Long Island will face Central for the gold medal on Sunday at 11 a.m.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| New York City | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Long Island | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 15 |
Goals – NYC: Fowler, Philipps, Pietroforte LI: Gamblin 6, Gordon 2, Pannell 2, Andreassi, Demeireles, Keenan, Sagl, Wendel..jpg)
Assists – NYC: Philipps LI: Keenan 3, Gordon 2, Andreassi, Gerrato, Pannell, Sagl, Walsh. Saves – NYC: Superka 13, Fiore 6 LI: Cordts 4.
July 23, 2010
Michael Andreassi (1) and James Pannell (14) each scored twice in the second half for Long Island. Photo by Kyle Laviolette
BUFFALO — Carthage’s Tom Grimm, a Syracuse commitment, ended an overtime thriller at the Empire State Games on his goal with 2:06 left as Central topped Long Island, 8-7, in a scholastic boys lacrosse game at Canisius College Friday night.
Central, which improved to 4-0 and locked up a berth in the gold medal game on Sunday, held Long Island scoreless in the first half and jumped out to a 5-0 lead early in the third quarter. But Long Island, the four-time defending champs, answered with a flourish.
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin got the Island on the board with a rip with 7:07 left in the third. Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi closed the gap to 5-2 on a point-blank shot with 5:8 left.
West Islip midfielder scored on yet another behind-the-back move with 1:55 left and Smithtown West’s James Pannell closed the quarter with a goal and high step celebration to move Long Island to down 5-4.
Central responded with a pair of fourth-quarter goals sandwiched between Andreassi’s score. Then East Islip’s Kevin Wendel and Pannell struck for back-to-back goals, the latter forging a tie at 7 with 3:10 left.
That’s how it remained until Grimm beat Connetquot goalie Zach Oliveri (11 saves) backside for the sudden death score.
Long Island FOGO Jake Froccaro, who had a strong second half, was knocked out of the game with 4:14 left when he was hit from behind. He sat out the remainder of the game. But his absence was felt in the faceoff circle.
Long Island can return to the gold medal game and force a rematch with Central by beating winless New York City on Saturday at 5 p.m.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | F |
| Central | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 |
| Long Island | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 7 |
Goals – CN: Rice 2 Corapi, Curtis, Donahue, Edwards, Grimm, Lasda LI: Andreassi 2, Pannell 2, Gamblin, Sagl, Wendel.
Assists – CN: Ferrito, Piroli LI: Jones, Keenan, Pannell. Saves – CN: White 11 LI: Oliveri 11.
July 22, 2010
Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin (far right) gets a handshake from Hudson Valley after scoring five goals at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Jason Molinet.
BUFFALO — Long Island went on the attack Day 1 of the Empire State Games and emerged 2-0 after pelting the Hudson Valley goal in a 13-7 win Thursday afternoon at Canisius College. Hicksville rising senior attack Brandon Gamblin charged into the teeth of the Hudson Valley defense and scored just 1:17 into the game. It was the first of five goals for the UMass-bound scorer.
And yet Gamblin’s offensive outburst wasn’t even the most impressive highlight of a day filled with memorable moments. No, those belong to West Islip midfielder Michael Sagl. The understated senior has been a key cog in two state championship teams. Against Hudson Valley, he showed a little flair when he scored on an over-the-shoulder, behind-the-back shot — twice.
Once again, FOGO Jake Froccaro a rising junior from Port Washington, helped Long Island control the game by owning the faceoff circle. It helped the Island take a commanding 9-3 lead midway through the third quarter.
East Islip’s Kevin Wendel double pumped, sending a Hudson Valley defender flying past him to open a clear path to the net, also drew sideline raves. His score extended the lead to 10-3 with 1:25 left in the third.
Northport goalie Thomas Cordts made eight saves to earn the win.
Long Island has two more games on Friday. It faces Adirondack at 11 a.m. followed by the highly anticipated showdown versus Central under the lights at 8 p.m. With two winnable games left on the schedule – Adirondack and New York City – Long Island may have already positioned it self to reach the gold medal game.
So the prime time showdown against Central will be telling. For now, Long Island can sleep well having outplayed and outlasted host Western and always-respectable Hudson Valley.
It’s a strong first day by any measure for coach Jay Mauro and Co.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Hudson Valley | 0 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| Long Island | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 13 |
Goals – HV: Caffrey 2, Mcreddie 2, Bonaventura, Donohue, McNally LI: Gamblin 5, Sagl 2, Keenan, Jones, Miller, Pannell, Walsh, Wendel. Assists – HV: Caffrey, Dedomenico, Schurr LI: Keenan 3, Andreassi, Gamblin, Gerrato, Pannell. Saves – HV: Grace LI: Cordts 8.
July 22, 2010
East Islip’s Kevin Wendel outpaces the Western defense at the 2010 Empire State Games. Photo by Kyle Laviolette.
Buffalo — Long Island began its quest for an unprecedented fifth straight gold medal in scholastic boys lacrosse with an early-morning wakeup call.
The players and coaches had to put a marathon 24 hours behind them, starting with a 10-hour bus ride which began at Bethpage State Park at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, then the emotions of Opening Ceremonies Wednesday evening and culminating with an air condition-less night of sleep in the dorms at Canisius College.
What awaited them Thursday was a 9 a.m. date with the belle of the ball. Many hyped Western as the trendy favorite to upset Long Island, not only because the boys from Buffalo and Rochester were playing on their home turf, but because the roster was stocked with several big-name college commitments.
Yet it was clear from the opening faceoff on the turf at Canisius that Long Island brought a little something extra. Call it confidence, swagger or attitude. The offense roared to life early, scoring three quick goals and hitting the pipe several times more.
East Islip’s Kevin Wendel, a rising senior midfield committed to Navy, took a pass from Smithtown West’s Kyle Keenan lurking behind the cage and found the back of the net for a 1-0 edge just 1:48 into the game.
Keenan, the son of Smithtown West coach Sean Keenan and one of three Bulls players on the Empire squad, made it 3-0 with his drive with 3:49 left in the first. It was part of a three-goal, three-assist day for Keenan, a rising senior attack headed to Duke.
Despite a strong start, Long Island only led 3-2 at halftime. The coaching staff simply preached patience. The defense held up fine and the offense had plenty of shots on goal. Connetquot senior goalie Zach Oliveri, a vocal leader in the back and a team co-captain, registered 10 saves and directed a defense that effectively shut down Western in the second half.
FOGO specialist Jake Froccaro a Port Washington rising junior and the youngest player on the Empire team, dominated in the circle in the second half. His quick outlet to Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin put LI in front 4-2 just 3 seconds into the third quarter. Sachem North’s Michael Andreassi collected a ground ball to set up Smithtown West attack James Pannell for a goal 31 seconds later.
The rout was on from there. Long Island scored five goals in the quarter. Long Island faces Hudson Valley at 4 p.m. while Western gets a chance to atone against traditionally-weak New York City at 8 p.m.
| TEAMS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| Western | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Long Island | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 10 |
Goals – WN: Coholan, Dejoe, Reed, Yunker LI: Keenan 3, Andreassi, Gamblin, Geratto, Gordon, Jones, Pannell, Wendel. Assists – WN: Burke, Yunker LI: Keenan 3, Pannell 2, Gordon. Saves – WN: Govenettio 8 LI: Oliveri 10.
July 17, 2010
Baltimore — The Long Island scholastic boys lacrosse team heads into the Empire State Games a perfect 12-0 after taking both games of the Long Island-Maryland Challenge on Saturday at Loyola University’s Ridley Athletic Complex.
Long Island got three goals from Sachem North rising senior attack Michael Andreassi to get past the Maryland Free State A Team, 9-6. In the second game, Hicksville rising senior attack Brandon Gamblin tallied three goals in a 13-9 victory over the Maryland Free State B team.
Long Island, the four-time defending ESG gold medalists, plays Western at the Empire State Games at Canisus College in Buffalo on July 22 at 9 a.m.
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July 8, 2010
Stony Brook, N.Y. — It was a game the Long Island boys lacrosse Empire State Games team dominated from start to finish, but a performance uneven enough to leave the coaching staff flustered.
Long Island faced Team Superstars, based in Katonah, N.Y., and boasting a roster of Connecticut and Westchester seniors and juniors.
Long Island built an 8-1 first half lead en route to an 11-3 win on Thursday night under the lights at LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University.
Floyd senior midfielder Luke Miller scored twice and set up a Joey Leonard (Hicksville) goal just before halftime.
Duke commitment Myles Jones, a senior midfielder from Whitman, also raised eyebrows with a vicious hit and a second-quarter goal in a show of power and finesse.
Connetquot’s Zach Oliveri and Northport’s Thomas Cordts each played a half and looked good in goal, with an aggressive defense adding a near impenetrable layer.
Ryan Brunet (Comsewogue), Jake Froccaro (Port Washington), Brandon Gamblin (Hicksville), Thomas Gordon (Garden City), James Pannell (Smithtown West), Nick Sherry (Oceanside) and Kevin Wendel (East Islip) each scored for Long Island.
Division senior attack Thomas Nuckel was on the sideline 48 hours after suffering a left knee injury. Wearing a brace and in good spirits, Nuckel will miss the Empire State Games despite being selected as part of the 20-man travel team.
Long Island will play four games at the Tri-State Tournament on Saturday at Mercer County Community College in West Windsor, N.
J.
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July 3, 2010
Division senior attack Thomas Nuckel (21) scored twice to help the Long Island’s Empire State Games boys lacrosse team go 4-0 at the Hero Tournament. Photo by David Savoie
Haverford, Penn. — Long Island’s Empire State Games boys lacrosse team outscored its opponents 37-10 and went 4-0 on Saturday to win Hogan’s Lacrosse Hero Tournament at the Haverford School.
LI rolled to the championship game of the 25-team tournament, beating Rockfish Silver, a travel team from Anne Arundel, Md., 8-0. Hicksville’s Brandon Gamblin scored twice against Rockfish.
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June 24, 2010
East Northport , N.Y. — Call it first contact. The boys lacrosse players who will make up Long Island’s entry into the 2010 Empire State Games faced off on Thursday night on the field turf at Veterans Park.
After five grueling days of tryouts, 712 players had been culled to the top 25 in Nassau and Suffolk.
And from this group, the best performers in the Top 50 game would earn a spot on the 30-man Empire roster announced the next afternoon at Hofstra’s Margiotta Hall.
Suffolk shined early, but the Nassau all-stars pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn a 12-10 victory. Sachem North rising senior attack Michael Andreassi had five goals while Hicksville senior midfielder Brandon Gamblin and Division senior attack Thomas Nuckel each added three goals.
It was a see-saw battle entering the fourth quarter. That’s when Port Washington junior midfielder Jake Froccaro tipped the balance in Nassau’s favor thanks to his faceoff skills.
Andreassi scored Suffolk’s first two goals – sandwiched between Farmingdale senior attack Salvatore Tuttle’s goal – for a 2-1 edge.
Oceanside senior midfielder Nick Sherry tied it at 2. That’s how it remained into the third quarter when Smithtown West junior attack James Pannell put Suffolk back in front 3-2. In the second half, Pannell received a cut between the eyes which required a hospital visit, but he stayed in the game.
Hicksville senior attack Joey Leonard scored for Nassau and Andreassi answered immediately to make it 4-3.
Division’s Nuckel tied it at 4 and Hicksville’s Gamblin scored back-to-back goals to put Nassau in front for the first time, 6-4.
Andreassi continued to dominate, closing the gap to 6-5. East Islip senior attack Tyler Begley tied it at 6 with a hard shot.
Gamblin opened a manic fourth quarter with a goal. Comsewogue senior attack Ryan Brunet scored to tie things at 7. What had been a physical, defense-oriented game to this point now shifted into a track meet.
Each of the three goalies Nassau and Suffolk carried into the game had played one quarter to this point. Connetquot’s Zach Oliveri, Northport’s Thomas Cordts, Syosset’s Ryan Feit and Manhasset’s Frank Morelli made brilliant saves. Now all the goalies rotated through in the final period.
Jericho senior midfielder Jesse Chazen made it 8-7 Nassau. Smithtown West senior attack Kyle Keenan tied it for Suffolk./cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/12871521/10183745.jpg)
