While not all teams have played the same number of games to-date, Mt. Sinai junior Joey Spallina and his Mustangs team are not only dominating Division II but all of Long Island. The team is currently undefeated at 11-0, and the attack is leading Long Island with 81 points, well above all Nassau and Suffolk County competitors. Also among the Top 10 point-scorers in Suffolk are two William Floyd and Smithtown East standouts. Marcus Wertheim and Chris Cappelmann are part of the Division I No. 6 Bulls, and Julian Duque and Jake Taylor are members of the No. 10 Colonials sitting at 6-5 this season and looking to turn on the afterburners heading into playoffs. Other points leaders are from Division I’s No. 2 Smithtown West (9-2) and and Division II’s No. 2 Bayport Blue-Point and No. 4 Shoreham-Wading River, which are tied at 9-1.
JOEY SPALLINA: 81 points
The Mt. Sinai junior attack is leading all of Long Island with his 28 goals and 53 assists. He has also recorded a commanding Long Island-high and Suffolk County record-breaking 13 points in a game this season. In the Mustangs’ 16-3 win at Hauppauge May 18, Spallina racked up all his points on assists, which included 12 in the first half. He didn’t he play in the fourth quarter. The junior also reached 11 points on four goals and seven assists in a 16-2 win at Half Hollow Hills West May 24 and eight points in victories over West Islip and Westhampton Beach. He’s amassed six points or more in nine of his team’s 11 wins.
“It’s an honor, but I’ve gotta give credit to my teammates because without them it wouldn’t all be possible,” Spallina said. “It’s a great accomplishment for me, but we wanna win, and that’s all we care about. It’s just awesome contributing and getting everyone involved and having fun while playing.”
Speaking of fun, the junior looks to be having a lot of it, especially with his behind-the-back passes for goals, just one tool in a fine-tuned bag of tricks.
“I think [those plays] do increase my angle on shots and help me get passes to my teammates in good spots,” Spallina said. “Defenders don’t expect it to happen, so yeah, it catches the defenders and goalies off guard.”
The junior accumulated 131 points with his young skillset as a freshman All-American in 2019. He’s been a starter on the varsity team since he was in eighth grade.
“I don’t really look for things,” Spallina admitted. “I just play and let the game come to me and play hard, and I know good things will happen when I do that.”
RYAN BELL: 69 points
The Smithtown West senior midfielder has scored 29 goals and amassed 40 assists. He reached a game-high 10 points on five goals and five assists in a 19-11 win over rival Smithtown East May 17. Bell secured nine points on four goals and five assists in a 17-2 victory over Walt Whitman and eight points on four goals and four assists in a May 19 win over William Floyd and 12-11 overtime loss to Connetquot May 29.
“My teammates do an amazing job of getting open and also finding me open during the game, which makes it a lot easier,” the senior said. “But I don’t really think about points when playing. I just play to win — that’s all that really matters to me.”
Bell’s known for having a great first step and a strong arsenal of dodges to go along with impeccable vision from midfield. He said he enjoys dodging from the wing, because he feels like it throws off opponents’ defensive slide packages.
“Just getting back on the field feels amazing after not having my junior season,” Bell said. “To finally be able to play feels amazing and I’m excited for the rest of the season.”
JULIAN DUQUE: 66 points
The William Floyd senior attack has a Long Island-leading 53 goals to go along with 13 assists. He’s shown a display of speed and vision to go along with a scoring ability that makes him a threat to any team. Duque has collected five or more points in nine of 12 games this season. He reached a high of 10 points in a 13-5 win over the South Fork lacrosse team, racking up a game-most eight goals and two assists. The senior also secured nine points in a 13-6 win over Riverhead on March 13, on four goals and five assists, and during a 23-12 loss to Smithtown West on the road May 19, with seven goals and two assists.
“It feels good to be on top, knowing that I’m helping my team out and being a leader,” Duque said. “I feel like the season has been up and down — not how we wanted it to be — but when playoffs come the world will notice us.”
He said when out on the field he’s just looking for whatever will help his team get the win.
“I feel like when I get on the field, I just play and have fun with my brothers — that’s what I feel like makes me successful,” the senior said. “But it does feel good that all the work I put in since I was little to now is paying off.”
But the senior does dodge-and-shoot and can finish on the crease. He pairs well with classmate Jake Taylor, who isn’t far behind, and was once tied with his fellow Colonial in points.
“We always look for each other on the field,” Duque said. “This game just means everything to me, and when I step on the field, I just have fun and be happy.”
LUKE MANGAN: 65 points
The Sachem East senior attack has recorded 32 goals and 33 assists. He’s earned five or more points in nine of 12 games this year, including a season-high eight points twice. In a 22-13 loss at Commack May 15, he picked up five goals and three assists, and racked up a hat trick and five assists in a 16-6 win over North Babylon May 29. Mangan also secured seven points in a 19-8 win over Middle Country May 19, with a goal and six assists; in a 9-4 victory at Patchogue-Medford May 25, on four goals and three assists; and a 9-8 overtime loss to Northport May 27, with five goals and two assists.
“It feels great knowing the work I put in is paying off on the field and it feels even better that it’s helping my team win games,” the senior said. “I definitely look for matchups for me and my teammates that I think we have the advantage in. I’m also a very emotional player when it comes to my team scoring, and I definitely show that on the field.”
He enjoys dodging and testing out how aggressive the defense is, using his speed to race across the field.
“I love to fly around and get amped up,” he said. “I like to see how I can get the defense to move and set up the one extra pass.”
JAKE TAYLOR: 64 points
The William Floyd senior attack has racked up 33 goals and 31 assists. He’s produced balanced showings all season, though he game away with a personal-high six assists in a dominating 19-1 win over Copiague May 26. Taylor reached nine points on five goals and four assists in the victory over Riverhead and eight points on four goals and four assists in a 20-9 invasion of North Babylon May 8. Like Duque, he also reached seven points in the win over South Fork, but on a hat trick and four assists.
“I feel like my team is putting a lot of effort on the field and this year was the year we all been waiting for,” Taylor said. “I’m just glad to be a leader of this team and a leader of the league points-wise.”
The senior, known for his grit, also scores off dodging but also shines on man-up situations or any time he feels he has some space to let a shot fly.
He also finds himself looking for Duque.
“He is, honestly, in my opinion, the best crease attack man and multi-threat inside, and also outside attackman on the Island,” Taylor said. “It’s an amazing feeling, the connection between us has been worked on since I would say we were in first grade so to see all our hard work pay off feels amazing.”
But the senior admitted there’s still room for improvement, and added his Colonials cannot wait to prove everyone wrong.
“I definitely could do more,” Taylor said. “Scoring or passing, I’m hoping I’m just not making any stupid mistakes like forcing the ball inside, because the main goal is not the points, it’s to win the game and win more games heading into playoffs.”
MATT KEEGAN: 56 points
The Sachem North senior attack has recorded 38 goals and 18 assists. He reached seven points on five goals and two assists in a 13-2 win over Lindenhurst May 25, and hit six points four time this season and five points twice. In a 16-13 loss to Smithtown East in the season-opener, Keegan racked up five goals and an assist, and in a 16-5 win over Longwood May 11, during a 13-10 loss to Sachem East May 13 and in a 16-5 win over Riverhead May 29 recorded a hat trick and three assists.
“Being a top point-scorer is a great feeling, but I couldn’t do it without my teammates and coaches,” the senior said. “My main goal is to win games, and I try my best to help my team do that. Lacrosse has done so much for me and I am grateful for that.”
Keegan’s also done a lot for his game. During the offseason, he worked out in the weight room in his basement and the power behind his shot soared because of it. He enjoys playing off-ball, while also creating his own shots, which is also part of what he’s hoping will take his team far.
“We are looking to peak at the right time and make a run at a championship,” he said. “I’m always looking to attack and create opportunities for me and my teammates. We know each other’s strengths, which allows us to give each other opportunities to score.”
JEFF LACHENMEYER: 53 points
The Shoreham-Wading River senior attack has secured 33 goals and 20 assists. He hit a season-high eight points on a game-high six goals and two assists in a 20-1 crushing of East Islip May 10. Lachenmeyer also secured seven points in back-to-back wins in the most recent games this year. He recorded a hat trick and four assists in a 20-6 win over Mattituck/Greenport/Southold May 26 and four goals and three assists in an 18-8 win over Bayport-Blue Point May 28. He reached six points in a 22-2 season-opening victory over Half Hollow Hills West and a 16-9 win at Sayville May 24.
“It definitely feels really good to see my offseason work boost me this year,” Lachenmeyer said. “I came into this year with set expectations for myself and so far I have met them. Over 75 percent of my goals are assisted, so obviously I wouldn’t be anywhere close to how successful I’ve been without my teammates.”
He said he’s also always looking to be the best teammate he can be.
“I know how difficult it is to make it all the way to the end and the biggest thing is that you need to be there for your teammates,” the senior said. “A lot of us played summer/fall ball with our clubs, but nothing beats the atmosphere school ball brings.”
He likes to step down to score, saying that works best for him, but is a dodger who is constantly looking to feed his teammates.
“I can control a lot of the flow of the offense, which definitely helps, whether I decided to just pass it along or make a play,” Lachenmeyer said. “The tempo of the game is something I can control.”
He said with more and more spectators being allowed to attend games the atmosphere that creates has also boosted his momentum.
“I feel as if we are coming together at the perfect time,” Lachenmeyer said. “Lacrosse is all I know. I grew up on the front grass field and finishing my Shoreham-Wading River career as a champion is all I want.”
MARCUS WERTHEIM: 53 points
The Smithtown East junior midfielder has also racked up 26 goals and 27 assists. In a 12-11 edging of Connetquot May 19, Wertheim led his team with a season-best seven points on a hat trick and four assists. The junior also reached six points four times this season, but his most impactful and meaningful showing game during a 9-7 win over previously unbeaten Huntington, where he amassed four goals and two assists. He recorded a hat truck during six unanswered goals for the Bulls.
“We can’t score without the ball, so the great defense, goalie, and faceoff play are a great contributor to me and the team’s offensive success,” Wertheim said. “We did a great job possessing the ball and I was able to beat my man and score or find open teammates who also did a great job finishing.”
The junior had a goal and five assists in a 17-9 victory at Walt Whitman May 6, two goals and four assists in a 17-11 win over Patchogue-Medford May 11 and a hat trick and three assists in a 15-9 route of Commack May 25.
“I think what has helped me to get where I am is just my hard work hard on the field and in the gym,” Wertheim said. “I always find time to put in the work, and it pays off. A major contributor which I am beyond thankful for is the support I get at home from my parents and siblings along with teammates and coaches. They push me to do my best at everything every day.”
He said he sees himself as a full speed downhill type of dodger, but has been playing “X” attack this year to lead the offense and ensure his teammates and in their sets and moving the ball.
“I think this brings a new dynamic to my game and makes me more well-rounded and capable of playing all over the field,” the junior said. “I am a pretty unselfish player and dodge with my head up, so when I draw the double team it allows me to find my open teammates for easy goals. I am also very capable of beating my guy, so when the slides don’t come, I am able to bury the outside shots as well.”
JAMESON SMITH: 53 points
The Bayport-Blue Point junior midfielder has racked up 21 goals and 32 assists. In a 14-5 season-opening victory over Hauppauge, Smith secured a season-high nine points on two goals and a season-best seven assists. He recorded a hat trick and four assists in a 10-9 edging of Eastport-South Manor May 24 and three goals and three assists during an 9-4 win at East Islip May 26. The junior has reached at least five points in six of 11 games so far this season.
“I just love being able to contribute to our team’s success and make my teammates better,” Smith said. “A lot of my points come from the trust I have in my teammates, so I just do everything I can to put them in the right spot to score and they do the same for me.”
He loves to play fast and push transition off a save, and added he likes the wing isolated dodges, when he scored most of his goals.
“In order to help me get these points I just work as hard as I possibly can out on the field and just never give up,” Smith said. “When my teammates see my effort, it gives them a sense to do the same. I just try to lead by example the best I can and do everything necessary in order to win. But none of my assists or goals would be possible without my teammates, so I really should be giving most of the credit to them.”
Coming off a loss, the junior said he and his teammates know what needs to be corrected, and the team is motivated to finish the season the way it wants to, with a championship
“I think that we are definitely heading in the right direction and good things will come our way as long as we keep putting in the time and effort,” Smith said. “I just love being able to be out there with some of my best friends and play the sport I love, and looking back and seeing my growth as a player and as a person from this game.”
CHRIS CAPPELMANN: 51 points
The Smithtown East senior faceoff and attack has amassed 27 goals and 21 assists. His season-high eight points came in the opening game of the season, where he finished with two goals and six assists in a 16-13 win over Sachem North May 4. Cappelmann reached seven points two games later on five goals and two assists during a 13-11 victory at Sachem East May 8, and six points on four goals and two assists in a 21-3 takedown of Middle Country May 7. The senior has secured three or more points in nine of 12 games this season, adding two goals and an assist in the thwart of Huntington.
“Obviously the statistics are always a big concern, but I think for me and my team it is just a reflection of how well we work as a unit and within our offense overall,” Cappelman said. “When we work in our system under our coach Rob Campbell the points come naturally, making the success of our team and myself possible.”
The senior said he is finding his role by filling in spots on the team, usually dodging and drawing an early slide to find the crease. He sees backside teammates open during most of his assisting.
“And when the slide is late, I find a lot of goals shooting on the run or stepping into shooting spots,” Cappelmann said.
He added the season has been tough, playing games every other day with very little preparation, but said his team is starting to hit its stride.
“It has been a bit rocky, but we are finally coming together and starting to play as a real lacrosse team,” Cappelmann said. “Lacrosse means the world to me, and anyone that knows me would say the same. I am extremely grateful to be playing my senior year alongside this team.”
Other players looking to work their way into the Top 10 shuffle are Smithtown East’s Owen Carroll, Comsewogue’s Jake Deacy, Sayville’s Ronan Fitzpatrick, West Babylon’s Mike Heller and Bellport’s Curren Johnsen.
