Brindle, McEntee, Bienia Score Seven Goals in Hurricanes Season-Finale Win at John Glenn

It may have been the Westhampton Beach boys lacrosse team’s last game of the season, but it wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Especially the seniors, who behind four goals from Chance Brindle, a Morgan McEntee hat trick and two by James Bienia netted all but one score in a 10-8 victory at Elwood-John Glenn Friday. The win also knocked the Knights out of contention for a playoff spot.

“We’re a big confidence team, so putting the ball away early really boosted us for the rest of the game — allowed us to be more creative — and there was so much energy, even for an away game,” Brindle said. “No one really expected us to do much, especially after last season and losing a strong senior class, but I’m proud of the way we fought this season.”

The Hurricanes (9-7 overall, 8-7 in Division II) fed off that atmosphere and came out guns blazing to bounce out to a 3-0 lead after a wraparound stuff-in by Bienia, who scored two straight for a 4-1 lead with 6:05 left in the first half. McEntee then dished the ball to Bienia, who passed it back to him on the left side of the crease for a wide-open look and a goal that put the Hurricanes out front, 5-2, heading into halftime.

“We wanted to play good team offense and get the ground balls, and we did a good job of doing that,” McEntee said. “And when we come out firing, it’s hard for other teams to come back from that and it gets us more hyped to play.”

Also crucial was sophomore goalkeeper Charlie Beasley, who dazzled in his first varsity season. He secured back-to-back stops to end the second on the way to 19 total.

“He played lights out. He’s got ice in his veins,” head coach Drew Peters said of Beasley, who notched a career-high 20 saves at the beginning of April, and amassed 178 on the season, which ranks him fourth among save leaders in Suffolk County. “He kept us in that first half and helped us get this victory. Every save matters. And he’s been consistent all year long for us. I can’t think of one game Charlie didn’t play well in. He’s been big this season.”

McEntee said he didn’t once question his goalkeeper.

“The amount of confidence we have in him is ridiculous, and it’s good to have that,” he said.

Junior Nolan Michalowski, who won most of his faceoff battles, secured possession on the opening matchup of the third quarter and classmate Will Drake (three assists) found Brindle the first of two times on a backdoor cut for a 6-2 lead.

“Me and Will did a lot of offseason training together this summer and it paid off,” Brindle said. “I’d be nothing without him and the rest of the offense.”

Beasley continued to stand on his head, making stop after stop across the top of the fourth quarter to preserve the Hurricanes’ two goal lead, 8-6, they had at the end of the third.

“It was harder to control the bounce shots on the grass field, but I was seeing the ball well and the defense stepped up to help me make those saves,” the goalkeeper said. “We had a lot of great chemistry this season, and it helps us play together as a unit when we’ve all known each other for so long.”

Speaking of that familiarity, Brindle found McEntee cutting to the cage for a 9-6 advantage, and Glenn (11-5, 9-5) scored before Brindle took the ball from the right side, pulled back and fired down low from the left for the Hurricanes’ final goal of the game.

“I’ve known Morgan since I was 4 years old — we transferred schools together — and having him involved in my last goals is the best thing I could have hoped for,” Brindle said. “He’s not going to miss the net, so I know if I’m coming down the field the first person I’m looking to is Morgan. I feel confident putting the ball in his stick.”

Peters said he was proud of how his team not only came out, but continued to fight until the final whistle.

“Having a good start early always helps, but we played hard throughout this one and grinded it out,” the coach said. “We had our sights set on the playoffs entering this season and we had a couple of losses we were hoping to avenge, but we wanted to come out strong today for the seniors and let them have one more good run. It’s been a great group.”

Peters said also paramount was the upperclassmen leading by example. Their goalkeeper agreed.

“They’ve been great mentors,” Beasley said of the seniors. “They all have so much experience and have taught us all so much.”

Brindle called his final moments on the field surreal, saying it’s that much easier to set the tone and set a good example when know you have a whole community behind you.

“We had our ups and downs, but overall, I’m super proud of my senior season,” Brindle said. “This is the end of my childhood lacrosse run, and I couldn’t have wished for a better ending with this group of guys.”