For the second year in a row, the West Islip boys’ varsity lacrosse team has won both the Suffolk County and Long Island Championship. Additionally, Head Coach Scott Craig and Assistant Coach Bill Turri announced that the team ranked seventh nationally. Director of athletics Wayne Shierant added that West Islip is consistently listed as among the top 20 teams nationwide.

With a 2004-2005 school year record of 19-2, West Islip was again known as one of the Super Six in a division of 22 teams. Team captains were Al Maione, Victor Galasso, Bobby Rushton and Matt Sullivan. During the 21 years Coach Craig and Coach Turri have lead the teams (three years with JV and 18 with varsity), West Islip continued to win championships. Last year, 31 graduates were playing lacrosse in college, and, reports Coach Craig, West Islip High School averages three players a year to receive lacrosse scholarships.

In this new school year, three seniors playing at the Division I Level are expected to sign Letters of Intent: Kevin Federico with North Carolina, Peter Mezzanotte with Towson and Christian Scuderi with the University of Massachusetts, reports the coach.

Soon to be erected in the community is a sign that reads: The West Islip Lacrosse Team - 2004 and 2005 Suffolk County and Long Island Champions.

Pictured, left to right, are Coach Scott Craig, Captain Al Maione and Coach Bill Turri and kneeling are Captains Victor Galasso, Bobby Rushton and Matt Sullivan.