Cover photo: The Center Moriches Boys’ Lacrosse Team (Credit – Instagram @cmboysvlax)
The Red Devils needed just one chance to make a name for themselves.
The playoffs are a brand-new season, and they took full advantage of it. The boys’ varsity lacrosse team claimed their first-ever Suffolk County Championship title with a win over Babylon.
The Center Moriches boys’ lacrosse team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in Division II. The squad is led by head coach Mike Vitulli who is joined on the sidelines by assistant coach Ian Leary.
Center Moriches had an even record, winning eight and losing eight for the 2025 spring season. What that record earned them was a playoff spot in the Class D bracket. There’s a saying that the playoffs are a brand-new season where anything can happen and the regular season means nothing.
The Red Devils were determined to make that statement a reality for themselves.
The 2025 Red Devils schedule saw them compete against fourteen Division II opponents and two non-conference opponents. They began the season against Bellport and Middle Country, securing wins over both before heading into conference play. Their conference play proved to be a tough battle as they won six and lost eight versus teams in their division.
The Red Devils made the playoffs and encountered Babylon in the Class D bracket. The two schools met twice during the regular season, each winning one game. Center Moriches won 7-6 on Babylon’s turf, and Babylon won 7-5 on Center Moriches’ turf. There was more on the line this time as they were playing for a Suffolk County Championship title. To keep with the scoring pattern, the championship game followed suit. The game took place at a neutral site, East Islip High School. 7-6 was the final score and the Red Devils were on the winning end of the rubber match.
This season the Red Devils honored six seniors earlier in May. They’ll graduate this month before heading off to college in the fall. Jake Mazza will be attending Manhattanville to play DIII soccer, Marcellus Shedrick will head to Oswego to pursue DIII basketball, and Noah Reed is off to New Paltz to play DIII lacrosse. Also graduating are seniors Matt Albino, Braedan K, and Daniel Krauss.
Seasonal awards are given out annually, and there was no shortage of Red Devils on the lists. Caden Leslie, Gavin Javetski, Austin Faller, John Marino, Will Jordan, Mason Walsh, Matt and Michael Albino made the All-League team. Colin Casey and Mason Walsh were named to the All-County team with Casey being an honorable mention.
With a Suffolk County Championship win under their belts, they advanced to the Long Island Championship where they met Cold Spring Harbor. The Seahawks entered the title game having won three straight. Their experience was evident as they beat the Red Devils 16-8 to earn their fourth consecutive Long Island Championship.
The Red Devils have plenty to be proud of this season as they get to celebrate their first-ever Suffolk County Championship, seasonal accolades, and their graduating seniors. Winning this season will only make them hungrier for more come 2026.
