Wantagh Boys Lacrosse Reaches County Finals

The Wantagh boys lacrosse team's offense has been explosive throughout the 2012 season but the Warriors faced a major challenge in the county semifinals Tuesday night against one of Long Island’s top defensive teams.

Wantagh passed the test with flying colors boasting five multi-goal scorers in a 17-11 win against second-seeded Manhasset during the Nassau County Class B semifinals at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium. Wantagh will now have a shot at its first Nassau County title since 2001 when the Warriors battle the winner of Wednesday’s other semifinal between Garden City and Long Beach on May 29 back at Hofstra.

The win over Manhasset avenges the Warriors suffered to the Indians last year buy a 10-7 score. Coming into Tuesday, Manhasset (12-5) had held all but one of its opponents to under 10 goals. The Indians staunch defense that Wantagh exploited was anchored this season by heralded Harvard-bound defenseman Bobby Duvnjak and Stefan Pate.

“It’s hard to slow down on our offensive when they are firing on all cylinders,” said Wantagh head coach Gary Reh. “Our guys are tough to cover.”

With the game tied 7-7 early in the third quarter, Wantagh took control of the game scoring 10 of the game’s final 13 goals. The Warriors were led by UMass-bound senior midfielder Matt Balzano’s four goals and three tallies from Brian von Bargen, Corey Stavis and Kyle Cain. Wantagh also got a lift from defenseman Joe Giardina’s two goals including one off a faceoff win in transition win that gave the Warriors a 7-4 lead midway through the second quarter.

“We really feed off each other,” said von Bargen, who will be playing on the Shuart Stadium turf next year when be begins his collegiate career at Hofstra. “We’re so unselfish and move the ball.”

Stepping up large on the defensive end for Wantagh throughout the season has been goalie Will Fitzpatrick, who registered 10 saves Tuesday including seven in the fourth quarter.

The obstacle in the way of Wantagh completing its goal of winning a county title will likely be top-seeded Garden City (17-0), who is the . Wantagh met Garden City in the final regular season game on May 3 and were tied with the Trojans at halftime, 5-5, before giving up the game’s final seven goals.

“We have to keep going and push hard in practice,” von Bargen said. “We just have to want it more.”