RONKONKOMA – The Arrows are right on target this season at Sachem North High School. The varsity lacrosse team put up a strong 2026 season as they gear up for the playoffs. With Bay Shore being their playoff opponent on Friday, they’ll look to make a run at County Title.
The Sachem North varsity lacrosse team is a member of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) and competes in Division I. The boys are led by fifth-year head coach Anthony Muratore. He’s been coaching in the district for 22 years, but made the jump to varsity in 2021. He’s joined by assistant coaches Zach Dellacave, Derek Dale, Chris Siragusa, and Jay Mauro.
“What went well is that we had a lot of guys back. We had a lot of guys who were young playing for us, and they matured and got older, and they just kept working at it. This is kind of like their time to shine now that they’re finally upperclassmen as opposed to freshmen playing on varsity,” said Muratore.
This season, the Arrows finished the regular season with a 13-3-0 record, which is second-best in their division. Sachem North’s three losses came against Wantagh, Northport, and Ward Melville. Two are division opponents, while Wantagh is a Nassau opponent. Goals came in mass quantities as they scored 221 goals while only giving up 113.
John Calabria leads the way for the Arrows, notching 49 goals, 44 assists, for 93 points. This stat puts him third in the Section XI standings in points. Stephen Castellano is 30th in points with 53 goals, 10 assists, for 63 points. Tanner Brady is the faceoff king for the Arrows, winning 111 faceoffs this season.
“We’re just trying to stay healthy right now. We have a long week to practice and to see who we play after Tuesday’s game. We played both of these teams [Huntington & Bay Shore] during the season. They obviously got better, and so did we, hopefully. Any given day in Stuff County lacrosse, anyone can beat anybody. We have to be sure we’re prepared, we have to be sure we get a good week for practice. But it’s nice to have the [automatic] bye to get our guys healthy. Hopefully, we can make a run at this thing,” said Muratore.
10 seniors will graduate this spring before heading off to college. They are: Patrick Gandley (SUNY Delhi), Henry Sarro (LIU), John Giraulo (Endicott), Danny Collins, Stephen Castellano (Eastern Connecticut State U), Eddie Looft (West Conn), Frank Zigon (West Conn), John Licata (LIU), Tanner Brady (West Conn), and Paul Spevak.
“We just have to take one game at a time and don’t look past anybody, get out of each game healthy. We’re down one of our midfielders right now, but hopefully we can get him back. It would be big for us. The biggest thing is just to focus on one game at a time and don’t overlook anybody. Our goal is to make it into a Suffolk County Championship,” said Muratore.
