Mineola Lacrosse Run Ends

Two-time defending Nassau Class C boys lacrosse champion Cold Spring Harbor cuts an intimidating figure, what with its never-ending bench and bevy of gifted scorers.  

The top-seeded Seahawks played true to form. Cold Spring Harbor scored five of the game’s first six goals to power past No. 4 Mineola, 12-3, Tuesday in a Nassau Class C semifinal at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.  

Mineola (9-7) has reached the playoffs just twice in the last decade, so this latest run was a rebirth of sorts.  

“I’m just happy with the way we were playing at the end of the season,” said first-year Mineola Boys Lacrosse Coach Glenn Cocoman, a veteran who spent time at Division High School and Molloy College. “The last four practices were the best we had all year. They really bought into what we’re trying to do. It’s nice to be here.”  

Tim Gill, the hero of Mineola’s 8-4 win over Oyster Bay in the quarterfinals, netted the first goal for the Mustangs to close the gap to 2-1 with 7:28 left in the opening quarter. Gill finished with two goals, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Seahawks.  

St. John’s University-bound midfielder Brian Gaffney, a four-year player, has seen the program improve and envisions a bright future ahead for the Mustangs.  

“The program improved a lot since I’ve been here,” Gaffney said. “And I think they’ll be great next year.”  

Senior Allen Winkoff and sophomore brother Ryan Winkoff each scored three times for CSH (13-3), which outshot Mineola, 54-14.

Mineola sophomore goalie John Clancy finished with 17 saves. He epitomizes a sophomore class that Cocoman believes is special.  

“A lot of these 10th graders are lacrosse rats,” Cocoman said. “You just need one group like that.”  

Nassau Boys Lacrosse Playoffs
Class C Semifinal – At Hofstra
Teams………………….....……1…..2…..3…..4 – F
Mineola………………...………2…..0…..1…..0 – 3
Cold Spring Harbor…..........6…..2…..2…..2 – 12
Goals –  M: Gill 2, Gerstner; CSH: Allen Winkoff 3, Ryan Winkoff 3, Tassan 2, Cox, Walter, Patterson, Strough. Saves – M: Clancy 17, Oommen 1; CSH: Roufanis 4.