Syosset Boys Tennis, Lacrosse and Softball Season Update

Boys Tennis Win Three of First Four Matches

It’s still early, but things are looking good for the Syosset boys tennis team. The Braves have won three of their first four matches, starting the year 3-0 before falling to undefeated Cold Spring Harbor on Thursday, 6-1. In Monday’s 6-1 win over Great Neck North, Josh Mishkin won the deciding match 6-3, 6-4.

Mishkin is off to a solid start of his own. Entering the Cold Spring Harbor match, the third singles player hadn’t lost a match. The victory on Monday marked the second time Mishkin has won a deciding match. His 7-5, 6-2 win over Jericho’s Zach Leighton clinched the Braves 4-3 season opening win.

But he isn’t the only player who has shined in the early going. First year varsity players Nikhil Raj, Austin Ashe, Matt Blum, and Jeremy Grossman have all made significant contributions.    

The Braves will host undefeated Port Washington on Friday afternoon at 4:30 p.m. 

Boys Lacrosse Heads to Maryland

It’s a tradition that spans the length of John Calabria’s reign as head coach and it continues this weekend. The Braves will travel to Pasadena, Maryland to face Chesapeake High School.

Not only will the trip act as a way for the Braves to take their game into a state known for its lacrosse prowess, it’ll serve as a team bonding experience.

After Thursday’s , the trip may be just what the team needs.

“It’s a real team bonding thing”, Calabria said. “It gives us the ability to get the kids out of town a little bit and come together as a team.”

The majority of the three day/two night trip is paid for by the Syosset Lacrosse booster club. A portion of the money raised through various fundraisers and membership dues help covers the cost of food and other expenses.

According to their website, Chesapeake High School is 6-0 entering Friday night’s game with Arundel High School. They will face the Braves on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m.

Before heading home, the Braves will attend the Maryland/Johns Hopkins game on Saturday night.

Softball Looks to Put First Half Behind Them

Thursdays 9-0 loss to MacArthur marked the continuation of what has been a tough season for the 1-6 Braves

“We just haven’t shown any consistency on both offense and defense,” coach Rich Powell said. “We’ve had signs of promise, but we can’t put a whole game together.”

An example of that unrealized promise was seen in Thursday’s game against MacArthur pitcher Kristen Brown.

“Last year, we didn’t touch (Brown),” Powell said after the game. “This year, we had a lot of good hits. We just didn’t piece them together and make any kind of an offense.” 

The early innings have caused the Braves problems this year. When they find themselves down in the first few innings comebacks have not resulted.

“We can’t play like that,” Powell said of the slow in-game starts. “We’re too young to be able to handle it.”

There have been bright spots for the Braves, however. Ashley Freedman and Jamie Warfield have impressed the coaching staff with their consistency.

Despite the struggles, Syosset still has an opportunity to turn the season around. Because they play in a power conference (Conference I), they will automatically qualify for the playoffs.

 “I told the girls early that we were going to have some growing pains, and that’s what we’re going through,” Powell said. “We’ve just got to keep our chins up and prepare for the playoffs.”

The Braves at 4:45pm.