Boys lacrosse: Rye stays ahead of schedule, advances to NYSPHSAA final four
MAHOPAC – There are talented underclassmen up and down the lineup scoring important playoff goals and delivering timely postseason stops.
Based on the birth certificates, Rye is a young team.
“I don’t believe in that because I’ve seen young teams do amazing things before,” Garnets coach Steve Lennon said. “We didn’t give them that excuse. A lot of people bring it up and we beat it out of the kids’ heads real quick.”
So, let’s just say this team is ahead of schedule.
Rye posted 12-6 win over Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake in a NYSPHSAA Class C regional Saturday at Mahopac High School and is heading back to the final four.
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The next step is a doozy.
Manhasset is now standing between the Garnets and a state title game appearance.
“It’s definitely a big jump,” Rye midfielder Andrew Keller said. “Last year we had an extra game in there so we got to play Niskayuna to prepare us for the Long Island game. We’re going to have to come out and play our best game of the season.”
The Garnets were not especially sharp early on. Tripp Redd and Tanner Howson lowered the stress level, though, with goals in the final minute of the first quarter to put the Spartans in a 4-1 hole. It was an 11-2 cushion when the subs checked in for a lengthy run.
“It’s hard to not be nervous coming into games like these,” Rye attackman Tucker Hess said. “You gotta play every day like it could be the end so we come out do our thing, swing the ball, hold the ball, lock down on defense and it all turns out pretty good.”
What it means
Rye was in the Class B semifinals last year, so this isn’t unfamiliar territory. There was more experience in that lineup, so the coaches and seniors will play a starring role in the days ahead of the game.
“We’ve done this before so the coaches will focus on game-planning while the players rest their bodies then we’ll start to prepare for in practice,” Lennon said. “We didn’t talk about who we play next, but we know. We’ve played good teams before. We just believe in ourselves, believe in each other and execute the game plan.”
Player of the game
Keller was the finisher, getting three goals and one assist to help the Garnets pull away.
By the numbers
Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake (11-9): Colden Swisher and Lucas Donohue scored two apiece. ... T.J. Tullock had one goal and two assists. ... Ryan Lussier netted one goal.
Rye (13-8): Garrett Sullivan, Tyler McDermott and Hess added two goals apiece. ... Archie Berkery, Howson and Redd each scored once.
They said it
"Our upperclassmen have done an incredible job of setting the example and showing us what the Rye culture is supposed to be," Hess said. "I think it’s rubbing off and preparing us for the next couple of years."
"This experience builds the team culture," Keller said. "It drives the younger players to want to get this far when they are leading this team."
Up next
Rye plays defending state champion Manhassett at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the University at Albany.
Mike Dougherty covers boys lacrosse at The Journal News and lohud.com. He can be reached at mdougher@lohud.com. Follow along on Twitter @lohudlacrosse.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Rye boys lacrosse tops Burnt Hills to win NYSPHSAA Class C regional
