Hopkins-bound junior nets 19 goals in first three games; John Jay hangs with Manhasset; Battle of the Sound Set for Saturday.
If you had explained the scenario to Kevin Interlicchio during one of Yorktown’s March practice sessions, he admits he would have probably laughed.
“I wouldn’t have believed it,” he said.
Who could blame him? In Yorktown’s first three games, the junior attackman scored 19 goals.
Yorktown junior attackman and Johns Hopkins recruit Kevin Interlicchio.
File Photo By Jim Stout
The feat becomes even more astonishing when you consider he didn’t even play in the second half of Yorktown’s 17-4 season-opening win over North Rockland. Take that into account, and he’s averaging 1.9 goals per quarter.
Interlicchio’s early-season offensive explosion was highlighted by an eight-goal outing that came in a 14-10 win over one of the nation’s most highly regarded programs: St. Anthony’s.
Interlicchio has been an impact player for the Huskers since the first game of his varsity career as a freshman, when he had four goals and three assists in a 10-7 win over Shenendehowa on March 31, 2007.
“That’s one that I will never forget,” Interlicchio said. “I started out by just trying to fill the giant shoes that my brother (former Yorktown all-American and Hofstra junior midfielder Tom Interlicchio) left for me, but now I would like to think that I have created a name for myself, and I can relax a little more.
A poised and polished lefty, the attackman, ranked 12th among juniors nationally by Inside Lacrosse Magazine, became a target recruit of many of the nation’s top programs before settling on Hopkins, where he will join best friend, teammate and next-door neighbor John Ranagan, a senior midfielder for the ‘Huskers.
“I haven’t been able to follow Hopkins too closely because I’m obviously pretty busy with the season,” he said. “I was able to get down to Homewood to see my brother and Hofstra take on the Jays (a 12-7 Hopkins win on March 7).”
A student of the game, Interlicchio says he’s always learning.
“Throughout my time on varsity, I’ve learned many important lessons,” he said. “The aspect of my game that has improved the most since freshman year is definitely patience. Pulling the ball out and controlling, instead of run ‘n’ gun style all the time. I’m not even close to done learning though, with every practice I learn something new.”
John Jay Slows Down Manhasset
Prior to his team's 11-5 loss to Manhasset on Saturday, John Jay coach Nick Savastano said that the sophomore-laden Indians, who were a big underdog, would deviate from their normal offensive game plan and utilize a ball-control offense. (Some might call it a stall.)
Now, in order for this to work, you must (at least you would think) win faceoffs and have possession.
John Jay, though, did not exactly dominate in the faceoff X, but still manage to control tempo. Before you knew it, it was a 4-4 game in the third quarter.
Who would have expected that? Not me.
But then the Indians’ inexperience manifested itself. And John Jay’s inability to get the edge in faceoffs proved catastrophic, helping Manhasset go on a 6-0 game-clinching run.
All in all, it was the kind of game that left both teams with plenty of positives. Senior-laden Manhasset is unbeaten and picked up a big win over a regional power. A rebuilding - or at least revamping - John Jay team has to feel pleased it was able to play one of the nation’s most talented teams to a draw for about two-thirds of the contest.
Long Island vs. Connecticut: Battle of the Sound
A matchup between two of the top teams in the region — Manhasset and Darien — highlights the Battle of the Sound event at Darien High on Saturday. The noon Manhasset-Darien clash will be followed by a game between Garden City and New Canaan at 2:30 p.m.
The doubleheader, sponsored by Lacrosse Unlimited, will help raise money for both Lacrosse for Autism and Stamford Education 4 Autism.
Joe Lombardi, who has been a fixture on the lacrosse scene during the sport’s rapid growth in the New York-Metropolitan area, produces editorial and video content for LaxLessons.com. He may be reached at joe@laxlessons.com.
