Five Herricks Boys Lacrosse Players Preparing for Next Level

Gregory Giaconelli
From top left to bottom right: Senior Anthony Picano, junior Greg Capelle, junior Danny Woska, junior Danny Lopes, and junior Connor Dillon. Photos courtesy of Mike Chin.

Five student athletes from the Herricks High School boys varsity lacrosse team have finalized their decisions to further their athletic careers.

Greg Capelle is heading to  Air Force Academy, while  Anthony Picano, is Wingate University bound.  Danny Woska, Danny Lopes and Connor Dillon are all going to Mercy college.

Capelle, who is a junior, said he is committed to Division I Air Force Academy in Colorado.

Capelle describes himself as a selfless, coachable player who is prepared to make any adjustments to become a better player.  He said he has been playing with the varsity squad since eighth grade and will lead Herricks’ strong defensive corps this upcoming season.

His accolades include two Nassau County All-Conference honors, two Nassau County Rising Showcase Team appearances and played for the Philly Freshman Showcase All-Star Team two years ago.

“I expect to be the leader of the defense this season,” Capelle said. “With this being my fourth season on the varsity team, I know how the defense operates and what we need to do to be a successful, dominating defense.”

Picano said he is committed to Division II Wingate University in North Carolina.

“Going into my final year at Herricks, I look back at all of the people that have impacted my game on and off the field,” Picano said. “Coach Mike Chin and Coach Jason Joiner put their heart, blood, sweat, and tears into this game and would do anything for anyone in this program. Herricks has taught me hard work, dedication, and maturity both on and off the field.”

Picano, a 6’3 235 pound senior goaltender, said his biggest attributes are his size, which gives him a huge advantage against the opposition and his team leadership experience.

Woska, an attacker made the Nassau County Rising Showcase Team as a junior while Lopes made the Nassau County Rising Showcase Team as a sophomore.

According to Woska, his focus this season is to continue working hard along with his teammates to ensure a successful campaign.

“This season, I will be pushing myself harder,” Woska said. “I know I can achieve that goal with all the work I have put into the off-season. I also have great teammates that will help me reach my goal.”

Lopes, a midfielder, said some of his best attributes include scoring, clearing the ball and providing team spirit. He added that his ability to read the game will be beneficial in helping him succeed at the next level.

“Herricks is a phenomenal program and it has allowed me to improve greatly,” Lopes said. “At the next level, I think my ability to understand the game quickly will help me adapt into the college environment.”

Dillon, a defender, said his time at Herricks has helped him develop his skills in all aspects of the game. He said the coaching staff helped him mature both on and off the field and taught him the essence of hard work.

According to Dillon, his biggest strength is his ability to communicate, as well as his knowledge of lacrosse.

“In lacrosse, especially on defense, communication is key to keeping your opponent scoreless, as well as directing the younger and more inexperienced players in game,” Dillon said.

Each of the student athletes said they were helped in preparing for the next level by Chin, Joiner and the Herricks lacrosse program.

With prior coaching experience on the college level, Chin said, he is always there to give advice to his high school student athletes as they prepare to take the next step.

“It is indicative that a coach believes in you and views you as a wise investment,” Chin said. “As they do this for a living, they have to believe you will work out and are worth it and will pay off.  However, you have to live up to your end of the bargain.”

He said he reminds his players that it is important to work hard and stay motivated year after year because good coaches recruit top players every year.

According to Chin, that’s how a great program works.

“Enjoy the commitment and have fun most of all,” Chin said. “It is a very select and prestigious group to earn a scholarship for anything.”

TAGGED: herricks, lacrosse
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