The University of Maryland Baltimore County men’s lacrosse team stopped by Sachem High School North on Thursday afternoon for an open practice session.
The Retrievers play Hartford in the America East Conference Championship Thursday evening at Stony Brook’s LaValle Stadium. If they win, they’ll play in the finals on Saturday, also at Stony Brook.
Sachem alums Timmy Lang and Jack Gannon are both midfielders for UMBC and made a return home at Fred Fusaro Alumni Stadium for the practice session. Sachem lacrosse coaches and players were able to attend the practice.
“It’s always great to have a major Division I college lacrosse team on our field,” said Sachem coach Jay Mauro. “It’s great to show off our facilities. Coach Zimmerman has been great to us, allowing us to use his facilities down in Baltimore when we go down to play their. Also, having two former players from our program on their team and getting to come back is what it’s all about.”
Sachem has attended practices at UMBC during its annual early-season trip to Maryland the last two seasons.
This is not the first time a collegiate athletic program has used the sports facilities at Sachem. Two years ago the University of Delaware men’s lacrosse team practiced at Sachem, and last summer the Stony Brook men’s football team had its red and white scrimmage on the turf at North as well.
Earlier this week, Sachem North also had a random surprise when NBA player and Long Island native Tobias Harris worked out during an open gym session with student-athletes during ninth period.
-Words by Chris R. Vaccaro