Wantagh boys lacrosse's Luke Martini leads dominant second half in win over South Side
Wantagh goes up 10-5 on a goal by Luke Martini, far right, during a Nassau boys lacrosse game against South Side in Wantagh on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Wantagh is trying to go from repeat to three-peat in Nassau Class C boys lacrosse. There’s no complacency inside these helmets.
“I would say we’re really hungry,” senior attackman Devin Paccione said. “We’re starving, I mean to do something that hasn’t been done here [by the program] ever in history.
“… Last ride with my best friends. So we’re going to make this one count.”
Last year’s ride to the title took them to overtime against South Side in the final. Wantagh showed the Cyclones Wednesday that it will be a handful if these teams from the two power leagues advance to a championship game sequel June 1 at Hofstra.
After being stuck in a tie at halftime, Wantagh dominated, scoring nine of the 10 second-half goals in a 14-6 home victory.
“I think it said today that we were a good team,” coach James Polo said. “We know that the next time we see them, if we get to see them, it’s going to be a challenge just like any other time we play them.”
Luke Martini delivered five goals and two assists, Paccione contributed three goals and five assists and Joe Nicholson posted three goals and two assists. And Gianni Passaro made 11 saves.
Brendan Vetter had two goals for South Side (6-4), which could be seeded second behind Wantagh (8-3), barring anything unexpected for both.
Should they meet again, can the Cyclones beat Wantagh?
“If we put our best game together, I think we can,” coach Steve DiPietro said. “Obviously, it’s going to take our best game. They’re very tough and they’re very talented and they’re very fast.”
Paccione gave Wantagh a 6-5 edge 2:02 into the third. Then the Villanova commit dumped the ball down to Nicholson for a goal.
Martini fed Nicholson for the next goal. Martini followed with two, and Sean Stachlick scored with 4.6 seconds left in the quarter — 11-5.
“We started slowing it down and playing our speed and not South Side’s speed,” Martini said.
Paccione whipped two quick shots for goals from about 5 yards out on the left side in the fourth.
“That’s what I’ve been working on my whole entire life, that shot,” Paccione said.
Passaro was a large reason for Wantagh not being behind at halftime. He made nine saves.
“He’s really becoming one of our most consistent players, and it’s great to see,” Polo said. “A lot of work put in by him.”
