Garden City boys lacrosse's Charlie Koester scores seven goals in non-league win over Northport
Garden City celebrates a win against Northport during a non-league boys lacrosse game at Garden City on Saturday, April 18, 2026. Credit: Brittney Dietz
On Saturday, the Garden City boys lacrosse program honored the 1985-87 teams that won 47 straight games, led by coach Doc Dougherty and assistant Doug Dwyer.
Current coach Steve Finnell challenged his team to live up to that standard.
“We asked the kids to play at a high level,” Finnell said. “We wanted them to show respect to the previous programs.”
And the request was granted.
Charlie Koester had seven goals and two assists to lead the host Trojans to a 19-7 non-league victory over Northport.
“We wanted to show out and show [the older team] what we can do,” Koester said. “When the ball came to me, I just wanted to do my job and finish.”
“The legacy at Garden City is very good,” said Finnell’s son, Jeff, an attackman. “We try to play with those teams in mind and try to replicate what they did in the past.”
Northport got the better of the Trojans last season, beating them, 13-9.
“They had the upper hand last year for sure, and that lit a fire under us,” Koester said. “We were able to come out and put them away early.”
Koester scored the opening goal less than three minutes into the game, off a feed from Jeff Finnell.
After Northport midfielder Luke Loiacono responded with a goal, Koester answered with two straight to secure a first-quarter hat trick.
“[Koester] always finds a way to create space,” said Jeff Finnell, who had five assists. “We built a great connection. Sometimes, I don’t even have to look. But I know Charlie is always going to be open.”
Garden City’s Brayden Robertillo went 16-for-22 on faceoffs and scored two goals in transition to set the tone early in the first half.
“We can have a lot of guys on defense that can play really good offense,” Robertillo said. “It starts in the middle of the field. We have been clearing the ball well.”
Ben Smith scored four goals, Michael Ferrucci had two goals and James DeBusschere added a goal and an assist for Garden City (9-0).
“We have a great scheme,” Smith said. “We have so many options, and there are so many different varieties to get guys open. The ball is being spread everywhere. There’s going to be multiple guys with points, there’s a lot of unselfishness within our offense.”
Ryder Maag scored two goals, Greyson Cabrera had a goal and an assist and Gavin O’Brien had four assists for Northport (6-2).
Steve Finnell believes playing teams such as the Tigers will prepare the Trojans for the postseason.
“We’re trying to get to the county finals,” he said. “We’re trying to challenge ourselves with our non-league schedule the best we can.”
Jonathan Ruban covers high school sports for Newsday after graduating from St. John’s.
