Before the lacrosse season saw its first spring workout, Mineola High School boys varsity head coach Mark Miller knew his squad would fight hard for a playoff berth. Last year's 7-9 record established a foundation for a .500 season in 2008. Perennial powerhouse Manhasset, a stalwart Cold Spring Harbor team and incoming conference B-II newbie Seaford creates a tougher task this spring of securing one of the conference's four playoff spots. Regardless, the Mustangs will battle despite graduating eight seniors off last season's team.

Bright spots in the lineup include the return of four solid juniors with previous varsity experience. Scoring machine and All-Conference selection Connor McCann on the attack and his defensive twin Kevin will be critical to Mustang success. Fellow Junior Paul Krumholz assists the offense in multiple ways while classmate Rocco Redmond is designated to win face-offs. Help from additional underclassmen is also on the way. Sophomores Bobby Port and Billy Gerstner will play key roles in the midfield.

Senior leadership is present on the defensive front with returning goalkeeper Pat McMahon and All-Conference defender David Lopez and in the midfield behind the efforts of John Englis and Kyle Mercurio. Carlos Barros will complete his career on the attack and be counted on to contribute in the goal column.

Miller knows the team can handle the pressure of tight finishes all year long. The results have borne this out with slim victories against Garden City, Roslyn and Island Trees and tough setbacks versus Levittown's Division and New Hyde Park. Along the way, there were solid wins against Wheatley and Clarke, compromised by heartbreaking losses to North Shore and Seaford. The North Shore defeat was particularly excruciating as a playoff spot was on the line and within reach. The Division game was played on the home turf of the New York Institute of Technology Bears, annual NCAA tournament contenders.

With young players advancing well through the ranks of Mineola lacrosse, it does not come without excellent tutelage. Miller is proud to provide Mustang alumni with the ability to mentor. Mike Perro as the varsity assistant and Chris Grimm (junior varsity), Matt Antoniou and Tom Grimaldi (both at the middle school) help the boys learn both the tradition and skill of a truly American game while continuing to extend their own careers in Mustang red and black.