Boys Lacrosse: Riverhead secures playoff spot in 18-1 blowout over Copaigue

With Saturday morning’s victory over Copiague, the Blue Waves have officially qualified for the playoffs with a league record of 6-6.

A game that wasn’t close from start to finish ended 18-1 after a running clock was implemented in the second half. All six Riverhead seniors got goals in the rout. Even goalie John Roca got a chance to play a little on the attacking end of things and scored a goal. Among the other seniors, Mark Andrejack scored three, Desmond Daniels scored once, as did RJ Foster, Andre Juarez and Robert Torres.

Sometimes ending a season on a blowout isn’t real beneficial going into the playoffs but head coach Vic Guadagnino found a lot of positives to come out of the victory. When Guadagnino took over the program five years ago, the matchup against the Eagles was actually a close battle.

“This game was 7-5,” Guadagnino said. “It was our second win of the season and we finished 2-14 so we’ve come a long way.”

JV kids got theopportunity to get some varsity minutes which is always a good thing going forward.

“We know who we will have to face (in the playoffs),” Guadagnino said. “We know what the Smithtowns are like, the Ward Melvilles, we play them all the time.”

According to Riverhead girls basketball coach Dave Spinella, Guadagnino said, the Blue Waves will most likely match up against Ward Melville in the first round of the playoffs.

“He’s like the guru of seeding after dealing with selections with his team every year,” Guadagnino said. “They should get the No. 4 seed which would pin them against us.”

Predictions aside, the final seedings will be known on Wednesday. Until then, they’ll celebrate making the playoffs and honoring the seniors on their special day.

“We’re going to have a nice tailgate,” Guadagnino said. “Parents are happy, everyone is smiling, you have balloons, flowers, it’s a good day.”

RiverheadLOCAL photos by George Faella