Successful Year One for Half Hollow Hills Boys Lacrosse

Word had circulated that the 2022 boys lacrosse season at Half Hollow Hills High School in Dix Hills would be different than previous seasons in recent memory, and the players, parents and coaches knew that only a pro-active game plan could bring together two teams that had competed separately for decades at Hills East and Hills West.

The transformation began with Connor Hagans, a former Hills West player and five-year head lacrosse coach at the school, who developed that plan with his three assistants—Paul Benway, past Hills East head coach, Nils Haugen, past Hills West head coach, and former Hills West player Bryan Donavan who is the goalie, faceoff and box coach.

The staff created a new team from the rosters of both schools, leading Hills into the 2021 summer league, competing in tournaments during the fall season and then focusing on conditioning and training with indoor practices during the winter months. Team captains AJ Nambiar, Mike Piraino, Luke Lulley and Jacob Shapiro, along with their fellow seniors, brought together all the players on the various grade levels to form the new Hills team. Parents, the school district and the greater Hills community also became unified and also committed to write a new chapter about the school’s lacrosse program.

“All the investment helped the team gel by the end of the season,” said Dr. Nick Raio, the president of the Hills Lacrosse Booster Club that provided players with equipment and other on- and off-field support to assist with the creation of the foundation for the new program. “By the final games of the season, the students were playing very well and playing for each other. We all were proud of our efforts to help bring together the two sides of the community.”

At the initial summer practices, Hills boys lacrosse became known as Team One. The athletes indicated that they wanted every future Hills player to know that this was the first team in a new era of Hills boys lacrosse. For them, Hills meant one team, one community and one dream of winning a county championship.

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Golf Classic for Half Hollow Hills Lacrosse

To begin preparations for the 2023 boys, girls and youth lacrosse programs, the Second Annual Half Hollow Hills Lacrosse Golf Classic will be held Monday, August 22 at The Hamlet Golf & Country Club in Commack. For information, click on Half Hollow Hills Lacrosse.

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“The team adapted to a new system and different coaching styles,” said coach Hagans. “They accepted the one team concept, accepted my coaching style and together we got it done. In this first year, we featured 10 freshmen on the roster and often six freshmen were in the starting lineups. We averaged 9.6 goals per game and our defense held opponents to an average six goals per game. It was fun, exciting and we had great times on and off the field this year.”

The groundwork and commitment by everyone led to an 11-5 season record (9-5 league record). Team One generated several significant victories, starting with an early season 7-6 upset over perennial powerhouse Ward Melville. The regular season ended with a dominating 15-6 road game win over Sachem North High School to secure a home playoff game. Team One celebrated a decisive 13-1 victory over Lindenhurst High School in the opening round of the Suffolk Class A playoffs. The team challenged Northport High School during the next round, coming within one goal midway through the third quarter before falling to the eventual Long Island Class A Champions.

Combined JV Success

The junior varsity team under Coach Lee Giddens also made adjustments on the fly as teams from both schools merged at the start of the season. Game dates, venues and many other team situations changed often during the season. The boys had never played together, but they worked on and off the field to support each beginning with the first practice and improving with each game.

All-County, All-Division, Suffolk Rookie

The 2022 Half Hollow Hills All-Division designees are:

• Joseph Filardi – Defense – Freshman
• AJ Nambiar – Midfielder – Senior (committed to Cornell University)
• Anthony Raio – Midfielder – Freshman
• Santino Rossito – Attack – Junior
• Luke Lulley – Defense – Senior

The 2002 Half Hollow Hills All-County designees are:

• Andre Cosentino – Midfielder – Junior
• Mike Piraino – Defense – Senior (committed to Marquette University)
• Jacob Shapiro – Goalie – Senior (committed to the University of South Carolina)

The 2022 Suffolk County Rookie of the Year:

• Nico Ghicas – FOGO – Freshman (FOGO refers to Face Off Get Off, identifying a player with a specific responsibility: win the face off, give the ball to a teammate and then exit the field.)

Team Awards

Many team awards were presented at the end of the season to players for their leadership, hard work, commitment, and defensive and offensive play. Two additional awards, the Eric Geringswald Community Service Award and the James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award were presented to departing seniors. Geringswald is the former director of the youth lacrosse program and a current school board trustee. Metzger is a former three-sport athlete at Hills East, recipient of the 1977 Lt. Ray Enners Awardas outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player and an All-American at Hofstra University. The founder and CEO of Whitmore—The Agency, an insurance and financial services company in Garden City, Metzger is a leading lacrosse benefactor for Hills and for boys lacrosse throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties.

The community service recognition was awarded to AJ Nambiar for his leadership throughout the Hills community. The Metzger award for team leadership and play was presented to goalie Jacob Shapiro. As he presented that award, coach Hagans commented that Shapiro “took a ton of shots this season.” A total of more than 150 stopped shots appear on the scoresheets.

Coach Hagans and the other coaches, along with returning players, already are planning their strategies for 2023. Their work begins now!