The South Fork boys lacrosse team didn’t take much time off this spring break, with games against Copiague on April 8 and Northport on the 10th. South Fork dominated Copiague 17-0 before falling 16-9 to Northport, one of the best lacrosse programs on Long Island and recently ranked the top public school in Suffolk County.
“I believe the team proved to itself that it is more than capable to compete with these top teams,” said Matt Babb, South Fork’s head coach. “We just have to do a better job at getting off to a quick start and not putting ourselves in an early hole or deficit.”
Northport led 8-2 after the first quarter, but South Fork wouldn’t give up, scoring four goals in the second and allowing none, to narrow the score to 8-6 by halftime. In the second half of the game, though, Northport ran away with it, outscoring South Fork 8-3.
In the loss, James Corwin and Michael Single scored four goals apiece. Pema Edwards scored one.
“Hopefully once we get our missing players back after this break, it will open up our offense a little more, as well as provide us with a little more depth so we aren’t so gassed at the end of games, such as we were at Northport,” Coach Babb said. “We had Northport within a few goals, but fatigue set in and they capitalized on it late in the game.”
Earlier last week, South Fork ran all over Copiague, shutting the Eagles out with the same trio leading the scoreboard: Single netted five goals, Corwin four, and Edwards three. Harry Karoussos and Brayden Talmage each added two goals. Zane Karoussos tacked on one.
With most of last year’s varsity team back on the field, Coach Babb said the boys haven’t had to spend much time getting used to one another, although they still have work to do.
“The boys have been working hard,” he said. “Nate Barbour has been nothing short of great for us so far this season. He is one of our captains and has been controlling the defense along with goalie Oliver Edson. Captains James Corwin and Zane Karoussos, along with Michael Single, are providing our offense with balanced scoring.”
The next big challenge for South Fork comes on April 17 at 4:30 p.m. in a home match against Lindenhurst, which has been dominant to start this season, with a 5-1 record so far.
