Pearl River Boys Lacrosse Looks to Take Next Step

The Pearl River boys lacrosse team returns four of its top five scorers from last season, but Head Coach Al Staker is looking for more from them and the rest of the Pirates.

"We've been down a little bit the last couple of yeras, but we have a good youth program and a bunch of those kids are coming up now and reaching the varsity level," Staker said. "We're hoping these kids who have been playing a little longer can bring us back up to where we were the first couple of years. There's a bunch of kids returning who did pretty well last year. We're hoping they can take their games to the next level. That's the key. If they can take that next step and raise their level, we should be a little bit better than last year."

Sophomore attacker Matt Bosco led the Pirates in scoring as a freshman with 36 goals and seven assists. Senior Kyle McDonald was next with 21 goals and four assists. Junior James Stephen contributed nine goals and 11 assists from the midfield and senior attacker Peter Dolan had eight goals and two assists.

"They all need to raise their games to another level," Staker said. "We won six games last year. We definitely should be able to win more this year if those guys take the next step."

Pearl River will get a boost in the midfield from sophomore Joe Mayernik, the son of Pearl River girls lacrosse Head Coach Laurie Mayernik, who transferred back to Pearl River from St. Joseph.

"He might be our best all-around player," Staker said. "He's a good athlete. Very coachable. He knows the game.

"He's not flashy, but he does everything right. He's going to be asked to do a lot for us this year."

Junior midfielder John McBrien also returns after missing most of last season with a torn ACL in his knee.

The Pirates' biggest loss to graduation was goalie Lowell Hunt, a three-year starter. Senior John Beckerle takes his place.

"He has been in the program since seventh grade," Staker said. "He played a couple of games late last year and he did ok. I think he's going to be ok in goal."

Seniors Chris Flynn and Ray Buhrmeister emerged as starters on defense last year. Senior Vinny Rendina and junior Aidan Noonan are making the transition from midfield to defense this season.

"They are very good athletes, so they give us more athleticism there," Staker said. "They are picking it up well."

The Pirates will be wearing decals on their helmets in memory of former teammate Thomas Argenti, a class of 2012 graduate who was struck by a car and killed in February. Staker said his players have pulled together since the accident.

"I'm starting to see more comeraderie and togetherness," Staker said. "The team is a little closer this year."

Pearl River will open its season 4:15 p.m. today at home against Westlake, the same team the Pirates beat in the 2012 playoffs. The Pirates play Monroe Woodbury in another home game 11 a.m. Wednesday.