WARD MELVILLE LACROSSE

COACH'S PREVIEW OF THE 2000 SEASON

   The 1999-2000 Ward Melville Patriots face a challenging schedule this season.  Following an opening scrimmage with Comsewogue on March 15, 2000 the team will travel to Rutgers University for a four-way scrimmage with McDonogh School of Maryland, Garden City, and Bridgewater-Raritan of New Jersey on Saturday March 18, 2000.  These teams are perennial powers in their state.  The following week features a home scrimmage with St. Anthony's and participation in the 10 team Bear Shootout at the Stony Brook School.   This is a difficult pre-season schedule, which should help prepare the team for the regular season, which begins the following week.

    The non-league schedule is interesting with the likes of Yorktown, unquestionably one of the top teams in New York State; Huntington, the top ranked B school in Suffolk County; Baldwin, seeded #3 in Nassau County; and Darien, Connecticut, a traditional power in their state.

    The Suffolk County A Conference looks to be exceptionally challenging this year.  Looking to knock out the Patriots from the top spot are West Islip, Smithtown, Sachem, and Northport.  The remaining conference teams all look to be improved, making for a great round of competition.

    Returning starters for the Patriots are Todd Cunningham (A), Matt Monfett (A), Drew Casino (M), Kurt Gerry (M), Chris Passavia (D), Nick Belvedere (D), Ryan Kelaher (D), and Chris Mele (DM).   With the addition of some talented newcomers the team is looking forward to a successful year.  The players have dedicated themselves to uphold winning tradition of Ward Melville Lacrosse.

GO PATRIOTS!!!!