Westhampton Beach Boys Lacrosse Looks To Prove Doubters Wrong

The Westhampton Beach boys lacrosse players have said other coaches, competitors, travel teammates, friends and even family are skeptical about what their team can do after graduating 13 seniors. While that may deflate some, it only motivates the Hurricanes to work harder to make what they’re hoping will be a playoff push this season.

“We want to prove everyone wrong,” senior defender Aidan McAuley said. “We want to show them what we’re really made of.”

McAuley, along with senior defender Avery Merrihew, are just some of several returning players from the 12-6 team that narrowly lost in the Suffolk County Division II semifinals who will step into a larger role this season. But the pair, along with returning senior starters Chance Brindle and Morgan McEntee, will also be co-captains this season, and believe the experience across all areas of the field will serve their new team well on its quest for success.

“Avery is a huge communicator not only in games, but in practices, and Aidan is a difference-maker all around the field — both are lockdown defenders who I trust every play, and it’s great to have that type of presence on the defensive side of the ball,” Brindle said. “And with Morgan and I on offense, I think that definitely helps us keep the attack in shape.”

Brindle said what also bodes well for the returning Hurricanes is their connection not just with each other, but with the guys filling the shoes of those that left.

“I transferred to Westhampton last year, but I used to play on the East End Elite travel team, so I’ve been playing with the rest of the captains for most of my life, especially Morgan, who used to go to Southampton with me when we were younger,” the senior said. “This year definitely has a different feel to it, but I’m very confident with the personnel we have. It’s a lot of kids who have played with each other for a long time, and already have great chemistry.”

Merrihew said the focus for his unit has been communication, working through different sets, slides and recovery options. The senior said he’s been most impressed with sophomore goalkeeper Charlie Beasley.

“He’s a beast in the net,” Merrihew said. “He is extremely advanced for his age.”

Senior attack JoJo Poerschke, junior midfielder Heath Sumwalt and junior midfielder and attack Dante Mansfield have also impressed their coach and teammates.

“With Heath, you can’t tell the difference between his left and right hands. He’s tenacious, and is a classic two-way middie who can play both ways without a problem,” Brindle said. “Dante is a big guy who has a killer of a shot. You do not want to see him coming down the alley with his hands free.”

Junior faceoff specialist Nolan Michalowski is another returning starter who will play at midfield with Brindle, Sumwalt and senior James Bienia. Getting a starting role at attack with McEntee, Poerschke and Mansfield will be junior returner Will Drake.

On defense, McAuley said he is most excited for Merrihew, whom he noted is crucial both for his communication and control, especially when the Hurricanes, he admits, have been quieter on the defensive front the last few seasons.

“We’re trying to help show them the way. All of the captains have been putting these guys on the right path,” McAuley said. “We bring good energy. We want to pass that along so they can keep it going for years to come.”

The senior said getting to ground balls has also been a focus during practices so far.

“We need to step it up with that,” he said. “It’s a big part of the game.”

McEntee added he’s looking to see the effort level continue to increase, especially in man-up and man-down situations.

“We want to work on everything we can control as a team,” he said. “We have a lot of guys that can see the field very well and their IQs are high. I think we’re off to a really good start. From day one to now, we’ve already seen a lot of improvement, and guys are taking it seriously.”

Hurricanes head coach Drew Peters said there’s also been a focus on individual-based skill, along with training on riding and clearing situations.

“A lot of it has just been repetition and reviewing offenses and defenses. We’re looking for what our identity is right now; looking to gel,” he said. “But a lot of the guys have been on the team and know our expectations. It’s now just their turn to get onto the field and be the guys that we rely are.”

Brindle said despite a lot of different personalities on the team, they all seem to work in unison when necessary.

“The younger guys have picked up quickly on how we like to play and the play style we are most accustomed to,” the senior said. “We’ve done a lot more conditioning this year than in years prior, and I think that we definitely have a way to go before we perfect the system we got going, but the team is starting to get comfortable on the field.”

The move from Class B to a competitive Class C with the likes of powerhouse programs Mt. Sinai, Shoreham-Wading River and Bayport-Blue Point only exacerbates the reservation others have. But Peters said his players are using that as fuel to their fire.

“I think some people are writing us off, so now there’s a chip on our shoulder,” the coach said. “We have some competitive kids on our team that don’t really like the way that sounds, so they’ve been competing and getting after it in practice.”

Brindle is one of them, who said with a little more experience under their belts, he believes he and his teammates can get to where they want to be.

“A lot of people thought that after last year’s success, there was going to be lull, but that is not our intention or plan whatsoever, and there is nothing that motivates me and the rest of my team more,” Brindle said. “I see the playoffs in our future, for sure, and I’m going to do as much as I can to help us get there. I can say with 100 percent certainty that this team will receive my all every single game. I’m locked in, and excited to show up … This is it. It’s all or nothing.”