Smithtown East boys lacrosse's Brock Bernhardt scores in final minute to win Suffolk Class B final
Smithtown East wins the Suffolk Class B boys lacrosse final against West Islip at Stony Brook University on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Smithtown East’s Brock Bernhardt spent all season as part of the team’s man-up unit, practicing a play where he cuts into the seam for a potential shot. He usually passes out from there to the dismay of coach Kevin Huff, who encourages him to take the shot with the power of his pole.
With 54.5 seconds left against West Islip, tied in the Suffolk Class B title game, Smithtown East went a man up. Naturally, the same play was set up, one Bernhardt said he’s struggled with drops and missed shots at times, and Cameron James set Bernhardt up.
“I knew, when I saw Cameron and I saw that seam, that there was no way I’m passing this,” Bernhardt said. “I’m going to bury this shot.”
With 37 seconds left on the clock, that’s exactly what the sophomore did.
Top-seeded Smithtown East’s boys lacrosse team lifted its first county title since 2015 and third in program history, beating No. 3 West Islip, 8-7, at Stony Brook’s Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium Saturday.
“That shot is something you dream of in your backyard all day,” Bernhardt said. “I’m so grateful for that. It’s not me, it’s my teammates; they make that work.”
“He’s got a rocket,” Huff said. “You’re a long-stick on a man-up; you’re there to shoot. There’s a number of times he didn’t. Hopefully now, every time in the future he will, too.”
What a day for Smithtown East’s boys lacrosse program.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) May 30, 2026
A pole goal from Brock Bernhardt, his fourth score of the year, serves as the winner here as the Bulls become county champions for the first time since 2015.
The goal, final whistle and celebration here👇@NewsdayHSsports pic.twitter.com/VzDmT6Umku
Highlights from Smithtown East v West Islip.
— Michael Sicoli (@Michael__Sicoli) May 30, 2026
SE’s Cameron James rips a low shot for 1 of his 3 goals.
WI’s Brendan McMahon makes a terrific stop.
SE’s Brendan Power battles through multiple defenders to score.
WI’s Kyle Busking ties the game at 7 with 4:07 left. pic.twitter.com/NAHWs37HMz
Smithtown East (15-3) will face the winner of Nassau’s Garden City and Manhasset Saturday back at Stony Brook at 10 a.m. in the Long Island Class B championship.
James led all players with three goals and two assists. He recalled the last time he and the Bulls played at LaValle Stadium, a 5-2 county final loss to Northport in 2023.
“We had a bad taste in our mouths. We waited four years,” James said. “But who cares about that? We came here, we walked on the field and looked around thinking, this is our time.”
Smithtown East trailed by one at halftime before scoring four third-quarter goals, with two from Campbell Cracchiola, to take a 7-6 lead into the fourth quarter. West Islip’s Kyle Busking scored with 4:02 remaining to equalize before Bernardt’s winner.
Hunter Hughes of Smithtown East goes up for a shot on goal during the Suffolk Class B boys lacrosse final against West Islip at Stony Brook University on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
CJ Stein was outstanding, making six of his 12 saves in the fourth quarter. He ran into the stands after the game to greet his mother and grandmother.
“They’re the ones who got me here,” Stein said. “Can’t give enough credit to them.”
Brendan McMahon made 11 saves for West Islip (12-7). Senior captain Chase Busking had two goals and two assists, battling through some big hits in the contest.
“They’re great kids that just want to get out there and want to get better,” West Islip coach Sean McAleavey said. “Hats off to senior leadership."
Michael Sicoli covers high school sports for Newsday. He graduated from Quinnipiac in 2022 and left with a master’s degree in sports journalism in 2023.
