Seaford rolling as playoffs approach

The Seaford boys’ lacrosse team is entering the postseason poised for a deep playoff run similar to two years ago when the program reached its the county semifinals.

The Vikings (11-4 overall) have tackled a grueling schedule that has seen them go toe-to-toe with some of the top teams both big and small. A win in the regular-season finale against Floral Park will likely lock up a two seed for the upcoming Class C playoffs for Seaford, who had preseason ranking of fourth entering the 2024 campaign. 

“I'm very happy where we are,” said ninth-year Seaford coach Brian Horner. “To go into the playoffs ranked a little higher than where you started preseason you feel like you over achieved, but I'm not shocked.” 

The 2024 season marks the second in a row where Seaford battled against the odds with last year’s team reaching the playoffs as a seven seed despite graduating 19 seniors from the 2022 squad that played on the Class C finals stage. 

The potential of the 2024 team to compete on a high level was evident in a 10-9 overtime non-league loss at longtime Class A power Massapequa on April 27 with the Chiefs netting the game-winning goal with just six seconds left. The Vikings never led, but battled back throughout the game to send it to overtime led by four goals from Tim Navin and two from Andrew Tudda. 

Three days prior to the Massapequa nailbiter, Seaford was on the other side of a dramatic overtime decision at Lynbrook when star defender Jake Anzelone tallied the winning goal with just one second left in the extra session for a 9-8 victory. Navin finished with four goals and Anzelone tallied three. 

Navin, a senior attackman who was Honorable Mention All County as a junior, has led the offense this season along with Tudda, Dan Barone, Brian Falk, Frank Pyryt and Peter Barone. Navin has 44 goals, followed by Dan Barone with 32, Anzelone with 25, Falk with 22 and Peter Barone with 20. Dan Barone’s 22 assists lead the team.

Anzelone, a U.S. Naval Academy commit, has anchored the close defense while also playing an integral role on offense on transition and man-up opportunities. 

“He has a very good IQ for the game,” said Horner of Anzelone, who also is a force on faceoffs and won 100 percent of them in last Saturday's 11-5 win against Hewlett.  “We are using him differently each game.”

Junior George Casha and freshman Paul DiBlasi have also been key to the defense this spring along with freshmen James Branch and Mike Calvacca. Junior goalie Jon Lent has patrolled the net in most games and recorded 12 saves in the Lynbrook victory.

Seaford’s regular season finale is scheduled for May 8 at home against Floral Park starting at 5 p.m. The Vikings will then turn their attention to the postseason and strive to play for the Class C championship at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

“We know that we have the talent, and we have the ability,” Horner said. “We just have to connect all the dots every time we get out there and play.”