It’s been a strange season with so much talent on a select few teams.
Mamaroneck and Rye were clearly miles ahead of the rest of Section 1. Yorktown, Greeley, Somers, Bronxville and Pleasantville were in the second tier a couple steps ahead of Pelham and John Jay. It was pretty clear back in Week 1 who this week’s championship participants were going to be.
Now things start to get interesting.
We spent way more time in the cold and the rain and the wind this spring than we spent in the sun. The forecast is calling for sun and 75-80 degree temperatures both days. It’s prime bleacher weather so get your tickets online and join us at Yorktown High School’s Charlie Murphy Field.
Here is a breakdown of each Section 1 final:
2026 Section 1 Boys Lacrosse Championships
At Yorktown High School, Charlie Murphy Field
Tickets: Admission is $9.40 and is good for both games each day. Buy online by clicking here.
Tuesday, June 2
CLASS D
No. 1 Pleasantville (13-5) vs. No. 2 Bronxville (12-6), 4:30 p.m.
Previous meeting
Pleasantville came back and posted an 11-9 win over Bronxville on May 6.
Rankings
Pleasantville — No. 9 Lax Numbers; No. 7 NYSSWA; No. 8 lohud.
Bronxville — No. 6 Lax Numbers; No. 8 NYSSWA; No. 8 lohud.
Offense/Defense
Pleasantville is averaging 12.8 goals per game and giving up 9.2 goals per game.
Bronxville is averaging 12 goals per game and giving up nine goals per game.
Gamechangers
Pleasantville — David Hundzynski, Sr., FO/MF; Matteo Pettricione, So., A; Braden Feeney, Sr., A; Colin McDonough, Fr., A; Declan Curry, Sr., G.
Bronxville — Nick Martinelli, Sr., A, Bronxville; Thomas Freeman, Sr., MF, Bronxville; Brady Dolan, Sr., D, Bronxville; Brian Formato, Sr., MF, Bronxville; Theo McMurray, Jr., MF, Bronxville; Trevor Valente, Fr., A; Patrick Plunkett, Fr., MF.
Scouting report
This could be the most competitive game of the finals. Pleasantville came into the season with a young team and started 0-4 before getting squared away. The Panthers have lost just once in the last six weeks and are most dangerous when they start fast. Over the last month, Hundzyski has been piling up faceoff wins, so don’t expect the Broncos to go on lengthy scoring runs. Bronxville has battled injuries all season and has had its Day 1 starting lineup intact for 2 1/2 games this season. The Broncos got Dolan back ahead of the playoffs so they are likely to be full strength. Bronxville is the more experienced team and has a number of players on the roster who won a state championship in football. If the seniors decide they want another ring on the way out, this team could be hard to handle.
Pick
Bronxville 12, Pleasantville 10
Next
The winner plays Section 9 champion Rondout Valley at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Middletown High School.
CLASS A
No. 1 Mamaroneck (15-3) vs. No. 3 Scarsdale (10-8), 7 p.m.
Previous meeting
Mamaroneck rolled in a May 11 meeting, winning 18-4.
Rankings
Mamaroneck — No. 1 Lax Numbers; No. 4 NYSSWA; No. 1 lohud.
Scarsdale — No. 11 Lax Numbers; HM NYSSWA; NR lohud.
Offense/Defense
Mamaroneck is averaging 14.2 goals per game and giving up 5.1 goals per game.
Scarsdale is averaging 8.7 goals per game and giving up 9.1 goals per game.
Gamechangers
Mamaroneck — Carson Winters, Sr., A; Brian Auker, Sr., MF; Jude Miesner, Sr., A, Mamaroneck; Jake Reese, Sr., A; Brady Smith, Sr., D; Owen Reese, Sr., MF; Ben Bacallao, Sr., G; Ethan Gross, Jr., FOGO; Henry Doherty, Jr., LSM; Nate Kulish, Sr., MF; Jared Rabina, Sr., MF.
Scarsdale — Charlie Starr, Sr., A; Bennett Brooks, So., A; Turner Mauro, Jr. A; Shane Kelly, So., MF; Luke Lee, So., D.
Scouting report
Scarsdale will come into this game believing it can pull off an upset for the ages because the Raiders have done it before, taking down its forever rival in 2021 and 2022. Of course, this is probably the most talented roster Mamaroneck has ever assembled. A sectional threepeat is on the list of goals, but a NYSPHSAA title is the prize these seniors have been chasing for their entire careers. The Tigers are good at both ends, but this offensive unit when up to speed is special. The game is headed for running time if Gross is dominating on faceoffs.
Pick
Mamaroneck 16, Scarsdale 6
Next
The winner plays Section 9 champion Monroe-Woodbury at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Middletown High School.
Wednesday, June 3
CLASS C
No. 1 Rye (13-5) vs. No. 2 Somers (12-6), 4:30 p.m.
Previous meeting
Rye opened the season against Somers on March 28 and was in control from the start of a 12-5 win.
Rankings
Rye — No. 2 Lax Numbers; No. 2 NYSSWA; No. 3 lohud.
Somers — No. 4 Lax Numbers; No. 4 NYSSWA; No. 6 lohud.
Offense/Defense
Rye is averaging 11.8 goals per game and giving up 6.8 goals per game.
Somers is averaging 11.4 goals per game and giving up 8.6 goals per game.
Gamechangers
Rye — Will Niejadlik, So., A; Nigel Strazzini, Sr., D; Henry Shoemaker, Sr., A; Charlie Brady, Jr., A; Carson Miller, Sr., MF; Henry Gilroy, Jr., MF; Max Niejadlik, So., LSM; Luke Denvir, Jr., D; Jack Levine, Sr., D; Sam Lamonte, So., G; Wilson Redd, Jr., FO.
Somers — Bret Kennedy, Sr., D/FO; Cam Violante, Jr., A; Tristan Iglesias, Jr., A; Hudson Ruby, Sr., G; Liam Barrett, So., D; Dylan Jimenez, Sr., MF; Xander DiPasquale Jr., A.
Scouting report
There’s a unique dynamic here. Rye is the favorite but Somers has a target on its back after sending the Garnets home last season and winning a state title. The Tuskers graduated their headliners, though, and are probably more of an upstart this season. Rye has to start with a higher level of intensity this time around. The Garnets also had a horrendous shooting day a year ago, too, and know they have to play with unselfish efficiency. Somers doesn’t have the same level of depth or experience so it’s going to be important to manage the game and keep Rye from scooping turnovers and scoring on the run. Both sides have aggressive defenses, but the Garnets are probably just a little nastier.
Pick
Rye 11, Somers 7
Next
The winner plays Section 9 champion Highland at 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 6 at Middletown High School.
CLASS B
No. 1 Yorktown (14-4) vs. No. 2 Greeley (12-6), 7 p.m.
Previous meeting
Yorktown survived a string of untimely turnovers and beat Greeley 9-8 on April 29.
Rankings
Yorktown — No. 3 Lax Numbers; No. 5 NYSSWA; No. 4 lohud.
Greeley — No. 5 Lax Numbers; No. 20 NYSSWA; No. 5 lohud.
Offense/Defense
Yorktown is averaging 11.4 goals per game and giving up 5.9 goals per game.
Greeley is averaging 11.7 goals per game and giving up 8.3 goals per game.
Gamechangers
Yorktown — Hunter Mezzatesta, Sr., G; J.T. Carney, Sr., A; Gianluca Marchini, Sr., MF; Frankie Ofrias, Jr., A; Cooper Constantine, So., D; Tyler Caricati, Jr., FO; Evan Kurth, Sr., D; Brady Sheridan, Sr., MF.
Greeley — Luke Dessi, So., A; Thomas Pollard, Jr., A; Jackson Barr Jr., MF; Tighe Dolan, Sr., MF ; Matthew Potenza, Jr., A; Luke Kaplow, Jr., G; Zac Klein, Sr., D.
Scouting report
Yorktown can still feel the sting of a loss to Greeley in this game a year ago, but the Huskers cannot go in believing they are the favorite. Yes, the Quakers miss all three finishers who graduated or left the program, but Dessi ranks among the section’s most lethal scorers and he’s got help. Yorktown has to play mad. Greeley has to play loose. There aren’t many teams in Section 1 with better stick skills than the Huskers, but there have been some games where turnovers have been costly. Mezzatesta is not easy to solve. The Quakers are likely going to need to get more shots on cage to win, so winning faceoffs and getting takeaways will be critical.
Pick
Yorktown 9, Greeley 7
Next
The winner plays Section 9 champion Cornwall at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 6 at Middletown High School.
Mike Dougherty covers high school lacrosse for The Journal News/lohud.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Section 1 boys lacrosse championship previews and predictions
Reporting by Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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