Boys lacrosse: Daniel Picart and Pleasantville give Somers the runaround

Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News
·4 min read

LINCOLNDALE – Pleasantville is really good right now.

And when this team corrects the miscues and controls the aggression, look out. The Panthers are by no means a lock to win another Section 1 title, but they are quickly becoming the Class D favorite.

The quality wins are beginning to stack up.

Pleasantville got a needed spark from a stubborn defense Tuesday and made a clean getaway at Somers, posting a 13-5 win over an improving team that is expected to contend in Class B this season.

“We have a couple of things we need to polish up, stickwork and offensive sets, but the way we are now I’m confident that going into May we’re going to be perfectly fine,” said Panthers midfielder Daniel Picart, who was a matchup nightmare and poured in seven goals.

Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) fires a shot for a first half goal against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.
Pleasantville's Daniel Picart (10) fires a shot for a first half goal against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.

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Somers built an early lead, then fell victim to a 12-2 closing run.

“We came out hot with a lot of energy, but we let it die down a little bit when we started losing possessions and they started to score goals,” Tuskers attackman Mac Sullivan said. “The defense held its ground and did everything they could to get us the ball. We turned it over way too many times. We got a little selfish.”

Pleasantville has five legitimate finishers who are going to overshadow a capable defensive unit all spring. Andrew Nessel came up with 10 saves, teaming with Aidan Picart, Ethan Berger, Tyler Challice and Brian McPhee to make a string of man-down stops before halftime.

Confidence is not going to be an issue for the Panthers, who over the weekend got a notable win over Greenwich, Conn. and had a 7-4 lead at the break in this one.

“The one thing I like about this team is they’re all super competitive,” Pleasantville coach Chris Kear said. “When things are going well, they don’t lose their composure too much, they just start fighting. They really stepped it up after a slow start.”

Somers' Miguel Iglesias (7) tries to get between Pleasantville's Hank McCourtney (33) and Emmet McDermott (22) during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.
Somers' Miguel Iglesias (7) tries to get between Pleasantville's Hank McCourtney (33) and Emmet McDermott (22) during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.

What it means

If you’re in the mood to see a pair of undefeated Class D programs more than capable of playing up a class or two, Shoreham Wading River is coming to Pleasantville on Saturday for a 2:30 p.m. faceoff. It’s a barometer game for both teams.

Player of the game

Daniel Picart was as good as he’s ever been, changing speed, changing direction, changing planes.

“I think the game is slowing down for him,” Kear said. “When he was up with us as a freshman, things were happening really fast. Even last year, I think Daniel took a long time before adjusting. He is really maturing as an athlete and as a lacrosse player. Everything is happening in slow motion for Daniel and he’s become a dynamic player with a high lacrosse IQ.”

Pleasantville Erik Coleman (5) and Daniel Picart (10) celebrate a first half goal by Picart against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.
Pleasantville Erik Coleman (5) and Daniel Picart (10) celebrate a first half goal by Picart against Somers during boys lacrosse action at Somers High School April 4, 2023. Pleasantville won the game 13-5.

Somers (1-2): Sullivan delivered the first three Tuskers goals. … Ryan Brush added one goal and one assist while Miguel Iglasias scored once. … There was a 25-minute gap between Somers’ fourth and fifth goal. … Landon Pepe made 14 saves.

By the numbers

Pleasantville (3-0): Michael Hundzynski netted a pair of goals. … Emmet McDermott had a goal and three assists. … Hank McCourtney, Erik Coleman and Nick Reich each had a goal and an assist. … Nessel finished with 10 saves.

They said it

“I don’t know if that was my best game,” Daniel Picart said. “I like to mix in more assists. I didn’t hit my teammates as much as I’d like to and I had some chances, but I knew my shot was on today. It helps so much to have so many options. It takes so much weight off your shoulders, knowing that when it’s not your day you can go to a teammate who can get it done.”

“No doubt, there is time,” Sullivan said of a potential rebound by Somers. “We have to keep after it in practice. We have to be team players. It takes six guys to score a goal, not one. The defense did its job today and Landon Pepe did all he could for us. We just gotta keep working.”

Mike Dougherty covers lacrosse for The Journal News and lohud.com. He can be reached at mdougher@lohud.com. Follow along on Twitter @lohudlacrosse.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Boys lacrosse: Pleasantville runs through Somers, improves to 3-0

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