In a carbon copy of a 17-2 regular-season win against Tappan Zee just 10 days ago, Rye boys lacrosse defeated the Flying Dutchmen 17-2 once again Wednesday in the Section 1 Class C quarterfinals.
A blowout is not uncommon for the bracket’s No. 1 seed – in any sport – but regardless of the opponent, it is the playoffs. Lose your focus for an instant, and your season may end. First-year coach Jeremy Guski’s Garnets have been down this road before.
“Our boys certainly know what’s at stake, and there will always be a few butterflies because these kids really care,” Guski said. “But the more prepared you are, the more confidence you play with.”
Junior Charlie Brady scored five goals to lead the Garnets. Seniors Henry Shoemaker and Carson Miller logged hat tricks, with Shoemaker adding four assists. Junior Henry Gilroy had two scores, while sophomores Colin Nigro and Will Niejadlik, senior Thomas Goldszer, and junior Malcolm Berkoff added one goal apiece.
With three straight wins, by a combined margin of 52-8, the Rye boys (12-5) are now playing their best lacrosse of the season at precisely the right time.
“We don’t prepare differently for specific teams,” Guski said. “We simply prepare ourselves to be successful. If we follow our process, and play our brand of lacrosse, outcomes will take care of themselves.”
Rye advances to play No. 4 seed John Jay-Cross River on Saturday at home. JJ-CR eliminated No. 5 seed Byram Hills by a score of 14-6 on Wednesday. In the April 16 regular-season matchup, Rye came out on top, 10-7.
With a win, the Garnets would play No. 2 Somers or No. 3 Pelham in the section championship June 3 at Yorktown.
