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Steven Zaitz

Beatles tribute concert dazzles Stony Brook

by Steven Zaitz - August 1, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Stony Brook village became Strawberry Fields for a few magical, musical hours on Sunday, July 28, as four lads who call themselves The Liverpool Shuffle pleased the crowd of Beatlemaniacs.

A ticket to ride was unnecessary for this show, as the boys played for free on the balcony of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF).

Formed in 2003 by singer, bassist and guitarist Joe Refano, who played with Herman’s Hermits as well as with Micky Dolenz of the Monkees, the band delighted the crowd for close to two hours with hits such as “All My Loving,” “In My Life,” “Day Tripper” and “Back In The U.S.S.R.”

The concert was a nod to the famous Beatles on the rooftop concert in January of 1969 on top of their Apple Corps headquarters in central London. That was the last time they performed together in front of a live audience. After playing “Get Back” for the third time that rainy afternoon, John Lennon famously and playfully asked the crowd if the most influential band in the history of music had “passed the audition.”

Refano, who lives in Centerport, saw the Beatles live at Shea Stadium in 1966, and like pretty much everyone else, was hooked.

“We are very excited to play on the balcony and pay tribute to the Beatles for the people of Stony Brook,” said Refano as he tuned his guitar at sound check.

Jamie Bateman, a distant cousin to Ringo Starr and is originally from Liverpool, sings and plays the guitar and harmonica; Andrew Lubman plays bass, guitar, keyboard and sings many of Paul McCartney’s parts; and Brian James is behind the drum kit.

Ernie Canadeo, chairman of LIMEHOF, introduced the band and was thrilled to showcase the museum and facility in its first-ever outdoor concert.

“We decided to do the first outdoor concert as a ‘Beatles on the Balcony’ tribute, as the Beatles mean so much to everyone and they have a lot of connection to Long Island,” Canadeo said. “They played Shea Stadium and Forest Hills. Paul McCartney lives here, Ringo still plays out here and John spent a few summers here so we thought this would be a great idea.”

After “Hey Jude” and the encore of “I Saw Her Standing There,” the show was over and there was no doubt that The Liverpool Shuffle had passed the audition.

Christmas in July with the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club

by Steven Zaitz - July 27, 2024

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The Town of Smithtown hosted their vibrant Friday evening concert series, at Long Beach, featuring local oldies band The Dedications.

This highly anticipated event was highlighted by the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club’s Christmas in July fundraising event, which brought the community together for a noble cause.

The Rotary Club of Smithtown Sunrise organized a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry. The event raised $900 for the Smithtown Emergency Food Pantry which will celebrate its 40th anniversary celebration.

The evening was a spectacular display of community spirit, with hundreds of people in attendance and boats dotting the water, creating a picturesque backdrop. The Rotary Club Smithtown Sunrise expressed their joy and gratitude for the overwhelming support, and participation from the community.

The students of Smithtown High School West’s Interact Club volunteered at the event, and Dedications lead singer and fellow Rotarian, John Zollo, was the unofficial host of the evening, which saw Smithtown residents flock to the beach and concession stand, for a sunset-lit concert.

Find out more about the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club at smithtownsunriserotary.com, or email them at [email protected].

Northport lacrosse stars reunite for alumni game

by Steven Zaitz - July 12, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Northport High School lacrosse stars took the field on July 6 in a friendly battle between Tigers past and present in a jovial but competitive alumni game.

Spanning five decades of Tiger grads, the White team held on for an 8-7 victory over the Blue team in front of an enthusiastic crowd of about 100 fans. But on this salty, sticky afternoon, it was more about the camaraderie than the game result.

“It’s important to have guys who have played here at different times to make connections, have some fun and bond with each other,” said head coach Billy Cordts, Class of 2003, who organized the event with help from the Northport Boys Lacrosse Booster Club.

“We tried to plan this well in advance so guys who are scattered all over the country can plan their annual Northport trip around the alumni game, and the turnout was great. I think that speaks to our program, a program that prides itself on the brotherhood that is Northport lacrosse,” Cordts added.

Brotherhood was the order of the day as Quinn Napolitano, who just graduated from Northport High School and was the team’s starting goalkeeper, was in the nets for the Blue team. His brother Shaun, Class of 2016, was on his team as a defender, and his other brother Ryan, Class of 2012, playing for the White team, scored two goals against his younger brother early on, as the White team jumped out to a 5-0 lead.

“I should have stopped those two against Ryan,” said Quinn, who led the Tigers to the Suffolk County finals this past June. “But it was special sharing the field with my brothers. They started peppering me with tennis balls in the backyard since I was little, so they really helped me get to where I am today. Playing with them and some of the older guys was great, and I’m excited to play in this game next year.”

Nick, Anthony and Vin DeCeglia (2013, 2015 and 2017) were another trio of brothers who suited up, and Cordts’ own brother Tommy, Class of 2011, started in goal for White.

But the one family tie that got perhaps the most attention was that of Dylan and Dan McNaughton. Dylan, Class of 2022, a bruising linebacker, power forward, lacrosse midfielder and nine-time varsity letterman, is going into his junior year at Indiana University. He took the field with his father, Dan, Class of 1982, who coached Dylan in his youth in basketball, baseball, football and lacrosse.

“I never thought I’d be able to play with my dad in an actual game,” said Dylan, who won the Suffolk County basketball title in 2021 over heavily favored Brentwood and was a member of the Tiger lacrosse team that beat Syosset a few months later to win the Long Island championship. “This was an amazing experience, and I hope we can do it again next year,” he added.

Dan McNaughton started the game as an attackman for Blue with Billy Cordts watching his every move. The father played the first 10 minutes or so and watched from the sidelines the rest of the way.

“I had a good scoring chance, so I’m happy,” Dan said. “I played in the first-ever alumni game in 1986 or ’87, and I also remember playing in it when Dylan was just a baby, and my mother was rolling him around in a stroller on the sidelines. Those were fun times when I could move around better. These guys out here today are fast.”

For the record, Dylan McNaughton, a finance and accounting major at Indiana University, is now 6 feet, 3 inches tall and 225 pounds of muscle.

So much fun

Another impressive and muscular specimen who was marauding all over the field for the Blue team was Class of 2015’s Austin Henningsen. The faceoff ace played for the 2017 Maryland Terrapins team that won the NCAA championship and is one in a long line of fabulous Northport faceoff men. He is currently serving in the U.S. Coast Guard and, as ferocious a player as he is on the field, he was as gracious off of it.

“This game was so much fun to play in,” Henningsen said. “It gives us a chance to play with the great players that recently graduated and the guys that I grew up playing with. In Northport, we’ve had so much support from the parents and the community on both boys and girls sides. I’m proud to be a part of it.”

Aside from goalkeeper Napolitano, 2024 grads Ryan Cash, Luca Elmaleh, Jack Maisch, Tim McLam and long-stick All-American Giancarlo Valenti also played. Late in the game, Valenti marched through a tired Blue defense to score a goal in the fourth quarter. Recently graduated stars like Nick Tzimas, Tyler Kuprianchik, Jonathan Alfiero and Jack Helrigel suited up for White. Tim Kirchner, Matt Webb, Michael Meyer and Luke Lamendola played for Blue.

Lamendola, Class of 2022, who attends the Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia, is still involved with lacrosse not only as a player but as an ambassador of its safety.

“I’m studying industrial design, and one of the things I’m interested in doing is designing a safer helmet,” said Lamendola, who was in goal for the Tigers most recent Long Island championship in 2022. “Reducing head injuries in lacrosse has always been a passion of mine.”

The team that won the New York State championship 21 years earlier in 2001 was well-represented on Saturday. Seniors on that team in attendance were Jimmy Taylor, Brian Amen and Jeremy Kahn. One of their teammates that magical year was a sophomore named Billy Cordts.

“I really looked up those guys and tried to emulate them back then,” Cordts said. “Playing with them again almost 25 years later, along with the guys who are just starting out in the world, is really a full-circle kind of thing for me.”

Despite blowing its big lead, White held on for the one-goal win, and the players and their families shared a sweaty group hug near the middle of the field. Selfies and laughs were shared as the group retired to Napper Tandy’s for a post-game celebration to reminisce about old times, revel about the game and look forward to next year when they can take the field with each other once again.

Northport High School coach Al Rose honored at Trinity Community Arts Center

by TBR Staff - June 21, 2024

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By TBR Staff

The Trinity Community Arts Center in Northport Village hosted Alton and Carol Rose, Northport High School’s renowned girls lacrosse coaches, on Tuesday night. The event featured the presentation of a painting of Alton, based on a photograph taken by TBR News Media photographer Steven Zaitz.

The Roses founded the Northport lacrosse program in 1990 and have led the team to numerous county, Long Island and state championships.

Alton, known affectionately as “Man Rose,” was diagnosed with cancer last year. Despite this, he continues to coach as an assistant alongside his wife, Carol. The Northport community has rallied around the Roses during this challenging time.

Father Andrew of Trinity Episcopal Church delivered the opening benediction. Bob Hendrick, who runs the center with his wife Nancy, spoke about the inspiration he drew from the photograph and the Roses’ story.

“We are here to simply say thank you to one of our heroes. It is an honor for Nancy and me to have created this work for Coach Al Rose,” said Hendrick. “Art was our way of ‘breaking bread’ with our community and honoring our local heroes, the Roses, who are two of the kindest and most caring people we have ever met. We call it game day and thanks to Maria Monda and Steve Zaitz, this all came together as it was meant to. Nothing happens by luck.”

Monda, an artist with work currently featured at the gallery on Main Street, is also the Northport Marching Band Booster Club president. She introduced Zaitz to the Hendricks.

An emotional Carol Rose spoke of her husband’s heroism, as did the four varsity girls lacrosse team captains: Kennedy Radziul, Christina Lauro, Lauren Baudier and Julia Huxtable. They shared how much Mr. Rose means to them, how he inspires them and how he has taught them to live life to the fullest and treasure every day. The team wore red ribbons in their hair throughout the season to honor Rose.

Northport girls basketball coach Rich Castellano, the entire Northport girls lacrosse team, supportive parents and other Northport residents were in attendance, including the Roses’ sons, Cameron and Cobi.

Little League closing ceremonies at Gaynor Park honors two of its own

by Steven Zaitz - June 14, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Two Smithtown baseball icons were honored Saturday at Gaynor Park in St. James. One was recognized for his achievements on the diamond decades ago, and the other for his behind-the-scenes work over the past decade to elevate the league.

Rich Tomitz, outgoing president of the St. James-Smithtown Little League after a seven-year term, presided over the league’s Closing Day ceremonies. In doing so, he welcomed former major leaguer Frank Catalanotto, a star player in the league who ended his career with the New York Mets in 2010. Catalanotto’s Little League jersey number 27 was retired, and he was presented with a framed replica of it as his wife, parents, and children watched from the ring of honor around the pitcher’s mound.

Tomitz, dressed in a dark blue tuxedo, welcomed Smithtown High School East alum Catalanotto and his family, including his father, who coached him from 1979-86 while he was a player in the Little League.

“It’s such a great honor to have my number retired by the St. James-Smithtown Little League,” said Catalanotto. “This is where I dreamed about being a major league baseball player and pretended I was Dave Winfield, Don Mattingly and Willie Randolph.”

Catalanotto is currently the head baseball coach at Hofstra University and still lives in Smithtown.

“I pass by this field almost every single day, and the memories come rushing back each and every time,” he said. “I think about the awesome wins, the tough losses, the joy, the tears, and going for ice cream after every game. But I also think about what I learned on this field – teamwork, perseverance, and discipline – and today, I still use these principles as a coach.”

On a warm and sunny day with only a few cottony clouds floating by, Tomitz told a tale about Catalanotto, who hit .330 in 2001 for the Texas Rangers and had a 14-year Major League career. The league had to raise the right field fence along St. James Avenue because Catalanotto’s home run balls would dent cars and break windows of neighboring homes. The new barrier was dubbed Frankie’s Fence.

Years later, Tomitz, in his time at the SJSLL helm, has brought many more renovations to the league than just a protective fence. He has worked with Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim (R) and Parks Department brass to bring the New York State softball championship to Smithtown. In doing so, the ballfields at both Gaynor and Veterans Memorial Park were upgraded to artificial turf, and the park facilities at both locations were improved for the entire community to enjoy.

Tomitz also turned Little League baseball and softball in Smithtown into can’t-miss events twice a year in the spring. Both Opening and Closing Day have become town-wide events that include a parade down Woodlawn Avenue in April, free hot dogs and cotton candy for all, bouncy houses, face-painters, all-star games – all wrapped in a fun carnival atmosphere buzzing with kids, ballgames, and music; a twice-yearly extravaganza that most towns on Long Island can only envy.

In addition to his administrative role with the league, Tomitz has coached his son Derek in baseball and his daughter Nadia in softball for many years and in the Williamsport national tournaments. Tomitz was on the coaching staff of Nadia’s New York State-winning championship team in 2022.

Tomitz also spearheaded a baseball league for 13 to 15-year-olds who age out of traditional Little League and want to continue playing. He forged relationships with numerous sponsors and created philanthropic partnerships with the likes of former NFL star and New York Jet Marty Lyons, who built a foundation that grants wishes to terminally ill children.

“I’m extremely proud of what we have accomplished over the better part of the decade,” said Tomitz. “I’ve forged so many relationships over the years of doing this and I thank everyone – there are too many to name – but I want to mention my two favorite players: my baby girl Nadia and my best buddy Derek. I love you both and I love St. James-Smithtown. Bulls Nation forever.”

Commack baseball holds on, wins fourth straight county title

by Steven Zaitz - May 31, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Think of your favorite baseball movie. Everybody has one. If it’s Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, or even Bingo Long and the Traveling All-Stars, it won’t have as dramatic an ending as the deciding game of the Suffolk County Class AAA title between Commack and Sachem North this past Sunday.

The tying and championship-winning runs were on base in the bottom of the seventh for Sachem North against Commack ace right-hander and reigning Suffolk County Pitcher of the Year, Evan Kay.

Entering the final frame, Commack built what seemed like an impregnable 2-0 lead with Kay having thrown six scoreless innings and looking as dominant as ever. He had scattered four hits, struck out seven, and walked no one entering the seventh.

But after two infield hits and a clean RBI single by Sachem third baseman John Ferrante, not only was the shutout gone, but the game – and the championship – was in serious jeopardy for the Cats. The tying run was 90 feet away, and the potential winning run at first with only one out.

Kay, known for his fiery demeanor and over-the-top competitiveness, was in quite a sticky situation – somewhat uncharted waters for him. Kay pitched in four games last year in the postseason and allowed exactly zero runs in 28 innings on the way to the Cougars’ third straight county title and the 2023 Long Island championship. Sachem North was looking to put an end to Commack’s burgeoning dynasty.

But first a meeting at the mound.

Kay had thrown close to 90 pitches in the 80-degree heat. Could the unthinkable be happening, and Cougar head coach Matt Salmon be coming out to take Kay out of the game?

“No,” Kay said. “This was my game to win or lose.”

After about 45 seconds, Salmon patted Kay on the backside and told him to get the next two guys out.

“Evan wasn’t coming out,” Salmon said. “He is the best competitor I’ve ever coached and was gonna finish the inning if they tied it up, or we were gonna lose the game right there. I just told him that getting this done was what he was born to do – to get these next two outs.”

After the meeting broke up, Kay walked to the back of the mound, his back to home plate, and played patty-cake with his resin bag before slamming it down to the turf. He was ready to face this challenge.

A safety squeeze attempt to get the runner in from third by Flaming Arrow catcher Matt Podesta went foul, and Kay fanned Podesta on the next pitch. It was Kay’s ninth strikeout of the day, and the Cougars were one out away from a Suffolk County four-peat.

Sachem second baseman and leadoff hitter Jack Pitman, who had a single off of Kay to start the game, was now in the batter’s box.

Pitman, a lefty, hit a bouncer to Cougar first baseman Brady Cascone, who bobbled it momentarily. Cascone managed to shovel the ball over to Kay, who scrambled to cover the bag, in time to nip Pitman at first. Kay and Commack had done it again. They were Suffolk County champions for the fourth straight year; and for Kay, this 2-1 nail-biter might have bested them all.

“When I stepped on first base and saw the umpire give the out signal, it might have been the best feeling after a win that I’ve ever had,” said Kay, who holds the record in Suffolk County for consecutive scoreless innings with a remarkable 60. “The past few years, we were just better than everybody else. But we lost a lot of guys this year, and we had to fight for almost everything we got, and I think we’re the better team for that.”

One of the new guys in the lineup in 2024 is catcher Robbie Mascia, who is in only eighth grade. Mascia was struck by a bat in Saturday’s loss to Sachem North, and after a postgame visit to Urgent Care, there was some doubt as to his availability for the deciding game. But come Sunday, Mascia was behind the plate.

“It’s not broken, so I wanted to be out there,” said Mascia, who, until the swelling subsided, had a golf ball-sized lump on his wrist the night before. “I love catching Evan, and today his stuff was as good as it’s ever been. His change-up was dialed in, and it was falling off and moving late. That’s his out pitch.”

Both starters were getting outs, as the game was scoreless through five. Anthony Vino, the Sachem North starter, showed signs of fatigue in the sixth and lost command of the strike zone. He gave up a hit and two walks, the second of which to pinch hitter Matt Shovelson with the bases loaded, As he came in to score on Shovelson’s walk, Commack right fielder Dean Vincent demonstratively jumped on home plate with his arms flapping in the air like a giant crane, much to the delight of the always-boisterous Commack bleacher cats. Commack had finally broken through.

Cougar fans would get even louder when Kay doubled down the line in the seventh to drive in center fielder Ryan Krzemienski for a 2-0 Commack lead. Krzemienski reached on a walk, one of seven that Vino allowed, in addition to five hits over seven innings. Commack had itself a vital insurance run that would end up being the difference in the game.

“I wish we would have been up 15-0 nothing because I would have sweated a lot less,” said Salmon, who has been the head coach of the Cougars for three years and has won the county championship in every one of them. “It was a great game, and this win means so much to the Commack community that supports us and each other and rallies around in times like this. It’s a great thing to be a part of.”

Next week, Salmon and his team will try to give the people of Commack something even greater when they take on Nassau champ Farmingdale. Kay will be on the mound as the Cougars seek their second Long Island championship in three years and despite this game’s exciting climax, the drama of the 2024 Commack varsity baseball team still has not played its final act.

Smithtown Fire Department holds 100th annual Memorial Day parade

by Steven Zaitz - May 30, 2024

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The Smithtown Fire Department hosted its 100th annual Memorial Day Parade down Main Street in Smithtown on May 27. The parade was followed by a wreath laying ceremony at Smithtown Town Hall.

— Photos by Steven Zaitz

Lady Pats double up Northport for Suffolk County title

by Steven Zaitz - May 30, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

Northport, Ward Melville, and lacrosse always make for a high-stakes combination. It was no different last Friday, May 24, when the two girls varsity teams faced off in the Suffolk County Class A championship game at neutral-site West Islip.

This time, the Lady Patriots came out on top, doubling up their most bitter rival with a score of 8-4.

Northport, who beat Ward Melville in the county final two years ago when Isabella Germani scored with three minutes left to lift Northport to an 8-7 win, could not ride the wave of their emotional semifinal victory against Commack, which gave head coach Carol Rainson-Rose her 500th career win.

Ward Melville’s stifling defense led to numerous Northport turnovers, and the Patriots capitalized on them. Attacker Grace Mulham and midfielder M.J. Timpanaro scored second-quarter goals that gave Ward Melville a 4-2 lead. Senior attacker Kate Spinks scored to open the second half, and senior goalkeeper Ava Carrillo did the rest.

Carrillo made six saves, many with a great degree of difficulty, and played a positionally sound game, rarely giving Northport anything to shoot at.

Tiger freshman Riley Cash had two goals, and senior captains Kennedy Radziul and Christina Lauro each scored once. However, big guns Julia Huxtable and Kate Atkinson were held scoreless.

Freshman middie Aliya Leonard had a pair of goals, and junior Ava Simonton and senior Mia Pirozzi also scored.

The Lady Patriots, who last won the Suffolk County championship in 2007, will take on the winner of Farmingdale and Massapequa for the Long Island championship next weekend.

Great eight, Northport boys lax in county final again

by Steven Zaitz - May 26, 2024

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b lax tbr — Jack Deliberti rips one over the top of Ward Melville goalkeeper Davon DiFede. Photo by Steven Zaitz

By Steven Zaitz

It was a rivalry that has become a domination.

And the latest chapter was delivered with quite the punctuation.

The Northport boys lacrosse program thrashed Ward Melville on Saturday, May 18, by a score of 14-3 in the Suffolk County Class A semifinal match at Northport. It is the eighth straight time the Tigers have beaten the Patriots, three of the eight knocking Ward Melville out of the playoffs.

Northport goalkeeper Quinn Napolitano made an astounding 20 saves in the contest that sent the second-seeded Tiger team, led by Northport alum Billy Cordts, to face top-seed Half Hollow Hills. Northport beat Hills 7-3 on May 8 but the Section XI power ranking computer put Hills, who beat Huntington in their semifinal, atop the playoff bracket.

Northport attacker Jack Deliberti netted a nickel-full of goals, all five coming in the second half to lead the onslaught for hosting Northport. Fellow attacker Luke Loiacono scored three in the first half to ignite the Tiger attack, the second of which gave the Tigers the lead for good and it came with exactly one second remaining in the first quarter.

Midfielders Quinn Reynolds and Logan Cash had a pair each and crafty veteran Tim McLam scored from the seat of his pants at the end of the first half to give the Tigers a 6-2 lead. It would balloon to 11-2 when Deliberti and Reynolds alternated goals in an eight-minute span to bridge the third and fourth quarters. The rout was on.

Deliberti added a triple dollop of dessert with three more to finish off the luckless Patriots.

Meanwhile, Napolitano was busy fending off shots until the very end, as Ward Melville played hard until the final whistle – some might say a little too hard.

As frustration set in, slashing and cross-checking penalties were assessed late in the game to Thomas Murphy and Zach Brittman of Ward Melville as yellow flags flew frequently in the fourth quarter. Giancarlo Valenti and Derek Vassallo were also given unsportsmanlike penalties for the Tigers.

Northport (15-2) will be playing in its fourth straight Suffolk County final when they play Hills at neutral site Longwood on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. They have won the previous three with two Long Island championships since 2021, but fell to Farmingdale last year.

Ward Melville, who got two goals from Aidan Kilduff and one from Callan McLaughlin, finishes at 13-4. Davon DiFede made nine saves for the Patriots.

It sure smells sweet; Northport’s Roses wins 500th game

by Steven Zaitz - May 25, 2024

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By Steven Zaitz

It was the latest in a long history of 500 wins — and probably the sweetest.

The situation surrounding the Northport girls lacrosse team’s semifinal victory over Commack last Friday was like an old-fashioned Hollywood thriller with lots of subplots and a twisty, edge-of-your-seat happy ending — but when the credits rolled there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.

In an exhilarating, 8-7 win that came down to the very last Commack possession, the Lady Tigers booked a trip to the Suffolk County finals for the seventh year in a row and in doing so, earned the 500th career win for legendary coach Carol Rainson-Rose, who with her husband Al Rose at her side, has coached every game in Northport girls lacrosse history.

Five-hundred wins is quite the number and is unofficially the most by any high school lacrosse coach in the United States. Embedded in that legacy, are two New York State titles, seven Long Island crowns, 15 Suffolk County championships and hundreds of girls who have benefitted from both the lacrosse and life lessons the Roses have bestowed upon them.

After the game, emotional Tiger players gave their coach a bouquet of yellow and purple roses and golden mylar balloons in the shape of the number 500. As an entourage of camera phones and well-wishers followed her around, Carol was moved to tears.

The balloons, flowers and fanfare were all a nice touch on her big win, but the greatest gift on this day was being able to share the occasion with her coaching and life partner, Al Rose.

“This win was one of the greatest moments of my career,” Carol said. “I wanted Al to be able to celebrate this milestone. He has coached all 500 games with me, and we started this program together in 1990. He loves these girls and enjoys spending every day with them. Whether he is pacing the sideline or hanging in the corner and watching, his presence is always felt.”

Last summer, Al had surgery to remove a brain tumor. At the time, the news of this was not widespread around campus but the surgery was considered a “success”. When Al rolled onto the Northport campus at practice time in a wheelchair at the start of the 2023-24 school year after word had finally gotten out, students, coaches, and parents from every Northport team stopped what they were doing. En masse, they formed a receiving line that started at the big blue rock near the football field and snaked around the running track.

Al didn’t say much that day and just flashed his signature smile, which was perceived by those who greeted him, as perhaps a sign that he was on his way back to them. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with the dreaded glioblastoma; an aggressive, spindle-like brain tumor that is ultra-resistant to traditional forms of cancer treatment and rarely allows for good outcomes.

Despite this horrible situation, there was Al a few months later, at his wife’s side at the start of 2024 lacrosse season, patrolling the Lady Tiger sidelines in their opening game against Huntington – the school that this coaching duo beat to win their first county championship in 1996.

“Every day and every game I thank God that he is still able to be here,” Carol said.

The players feel the same.

“Man Rose (Al) is like a ray of sunshine, and I speak for everyone on the team that we are grateful every day that he is here,” said senior captain and midfielder Christina Lauro. “He is so supportive, has such a kind heart and he inspires us so much because he shows us how strong a person can be. He has taught us all to live our lives to the fullest, and every girl on this team plays her heart out for him.”

As they did in this battle to reach the county final against Commack.

With the score tied at 4-4 late in the second quarter, sophomore attacking winger Kaleigh Howard, who has seen more playing time as the season has progressed, bolted around from behind the net and snapped off a sharp-angle shot as she was being knocked to turf by a pair of Commack defenders. The shot beat Lady Cougar goal-keeper Olivia Bezmalinovic on the short side to give Northport a 5-4 lead.

“I saw an opening to go in and drive to the net,” said Howard, who is also the starting varsity soccer goalkeeper. “When I shot the ball and I saw it touch the net, it was like a dream.”

Carol was thrilled by Howard’s efforts not only in scoring that important goal, but how her demeanor inspires the team.

“Kaleigh’s goal was epic,” she said. “She fired up the entire team with that one as she got up off the ground and was so pumped. Her emotional celebration was motivational.”

Attacker Kate Atkinson, who is also a sophomore, but has already amassed 124 goals playing for the Roses, scored to open the second half and give Northport a 6-5 lead and freshman Riley Cash, who had three goals in the game, made a nifty high-low fake to beat Bezmalinovic for a two-goal lead. Ashley Arizonas, who came off the bench for the Lady Cougars, trimmed the Northport lead to one with less than a minute left before the fourth quarter.

With the score 7-6, Lauro made a play that will not show up on the scoresheet.

Three minutes into the fourth, Lauro, like a ball-hawking football safety, sprinted 20 yards across the field to make a clean interception of a Commack outlet pass. It was a play rarely seen in a lacrosse game, as ball control is so precious a commodity and long passes like the one Lauro intercepted, are usually made with extreme caution – especially at such a critical time in the game

“I was angry that we had just lost possession and I was determined to get it back,” said the Binghamton-bound Lauro. “It was really important because we kept the ball for a good amount of time after that play.” The repossession by Northport ate up three minutes of clock and it climaxed with Atkinson’s second goal of the game.

But Commack wasn’t just going to be a willing participant in Northport’s fairytale ending, especially on their home turf. Amelia Brite scored to make it 8-7 with four minutes to play and Commack was looking for more.

With a minute left in regulation, Commack scooped up a loose ball and was circling Northport goal-keeper Charlotte Cuneo’s net. Seconds ticked down as Commack winger Aubrey Maurer came out from behind the net, checked by Northport defender Mary Breckling – Maurer found midfielder Michaela Burke, who was about 12 yards away from the goalmouth to Cuneo’s right. Breckling switched to cover Burke, but not soon enough to prevent Burke from firing an unmolested shot. Cuneo came out to cut off the angle and Burke’s shot glanced off the goal post and rolled into the awaiting stick of Northport defender Emma Greenberg.

The Roses earned their 500th win. Send in the balloons.

“It was crazy. I didn’t really know what happened or where the ball ended up,” said Cuneo, who made 12 saves for Northport. “I’m so excited for my team and my coaches. Coach Rose deserves everything that comes to her. She works so hard to get us to this point and we couldn’t have done it without her.”

And she couldn’t have done it without her partner for the last 35 years.

“Our whole team has embraced the ‘Fight Like Al’ mentality,” Carol said. “The girls wear red bows in their hair for him. The community has been amazing in supporting us in this journey and I was just overwhelmed with joy that he could be a part of this celebration. Al is a warrior and a fighter and so are these young ladies.”

Lauro and her mates knew this day was bigger than just the outcome of the game.

“Being associated with Coach Rose is an experience many wish they could have,” Lauro said. “Being on this team for four years has taught me so much about confidence and team play. We all knew that the game was about more than just us as players, and with all that has gone on, we knew we could not let this season end without us getting both of them their 500th win.”

On Friday, against top-ranked Ward Melville, the Roses and the Tigers together, go for the first of their next 500 – against their fiercest rival and number one ranked team in Suffolk, the Ward Melville Lady Patriots.

Al Rose is already looking forward to it.

“I am just so happy that the girls played their hearts out, defeated Commack and brought us back to the county championship game,” he said. “I knew they could do this because the girls on this team are warriors.”

They learned from the best. They fight like Al.

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Page 4 of 10

Steven Zaitz

Beatles tribute concert dazzles Stony Brook

Christmas in July with the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club

Northport lacrosse stars reunite for alumni game

Northport High School coach Al Rose honored at Trinity Community Arts Center

Little League closing ceremonies at Gaynor Park honors two of its own

Commack baseball holds on, wins fourth straight county title

Smithtown Fire Department holds 100th annual Memorial Day parade

Lady Pats double up Northport for Suffolk County title

Great eight, Northport boys lax in county final again

It sure smells sweet; Northport’s Roses wins 500th game

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