West Islip wins rematch

Finnegan's three goals, motivational words lift Lions

BY JASON MOLINET - jason.molinet@newsday.com

April 1, 2007

Give West Islip senior Mike Finnegan a suit and tie instead of a lacrosse stick and place him in front of an audience rather than his teammates and his words might have held even more sway.

"If you doubt yourself, then you've already lost," Finnegan said after West Islip left no doubt in its season opener Saturday. The Lions pounced on host Massapequa early and late to cruise to a 13-5 victory in a rematch of last season's Long Island Class A boys lacrosse championship.

Finnegan might have a future as a self-help guru. For now, teammates can chuckle at his advice while patting him on the back for his impressive stick work. The Albany-bound midfielder scored three goals to help West Islip (1-0), the defending state champ, run its winning streak to 24 in a row.

The Chiefs (2-2), who lost an 8-7 double-overtime heartbreaker to West Islip last spring, appeared outclassed in the opening minutes at Burns Park. Then they came alive. Senior midfielder Stephen Bentz scored three goals, including a high shot over the right shoulder of goalie Drew DiCioccio (six saves), to close the gap to 7-5 with 5:14 left in the third.

"Massapequa has won the last two (Nassau) championships," West Islip coach Scott Craig said. "They're going to come at you with an attitude."

Craig could sense his players lose their edge, if only for a moment. Then West Islip, which returns seven of its top 14 from a year ago, pushed back.

Finnegan put the Lions ahead 5-0 just 13:22 into the game, then stopped Massapequa's momentum with a goal in traffic with 2:39 left in the third to make it 8-5. His score helped West Islip regain its confidence and close with six consecutive goals. So much for opening-day jitters.

"I don't see many teams being better then them," Massapequa coach Steve Mollot said.

He was simply stating the facts. West Islip won 13 of 20 faceoffs, controlled the tempo on offense and showcased a dizzying array of talented finishers. Seven players scored. They pelted two Massapequa goalies with 34 shots - 13 of which found the net. But the combination of Finnegan and Albany-bound attack Brian Caufield proved overwhelming.

"We know everyone is coming after us because we're the defending state champs," said Caufield, who scored three second-half goals. "Our effort makes the difference. We put it all on the field."

There are plenty of teams hunting the Lions this spring. But it's merely an allusion. West Islip has the experience and firepower to make another serious bid at a state title. The Lions made as much clear on the home field of Nassau's top team the last two seasons. Statements don't get much bigger.