Suffern is no stranger to the Section 1 championship.
In addition to having hosted the event (including last season), the Mounties have also played in it quite a bit – a total of nine times. The Mounties last appeared in the final in 2003, losing to Lakeland/Panas 11-7.
If they are to make it back this year for the first time since then, Kevin McNally will be one of the main reasons why.
The 6-foot, 190-pound senior attackman/midfielder is one of the leading players in Section 1.
It should come as no surprise that the son of Suffern coach Dave McNally first picked up a lacrosse stick at age 3. Next year, he’ll be playing at the Division I level for the University at Albany.
Here are Kevin’s thoughts on his college commitment and his senior season:
What were the main factors in your decision to attend Albany?
The atmosphere really influenced my decision. I had visited some schools before Albany and thought they were the schools for me. Then I went upstate to visit UA and loved it.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
My Top 5 schools were Albany, Stony Brook, St. Johns, Penn State and Manhattan.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My one strength is my speed and the way I see the field. I would describe myself as a player who has a heavy Maryland cradle.
What areas of your game do you think you need to improve on?
I tend to dodge in a phone booth. I need to work on my “one dodge and go” ability.
How does this year’s Suffern team look? What are the team’s strengths? What players do you think will surprise some people, and what games are you looking forward to the most?
This year’s team is very similar to last year’s. Our strengths this year will be in our offensive unit.
Standing out last year, Peter Sharp provided power to our offense. In the offseason Pete grew about three inches, lifted and shot all the time.
We will help this year’s Suffern team play well against our toughest opponents. Lakeland/Panas will be a good game, as always. Last year, they beat us both times by one goal. We look forward to playing them again on their turf for a change.
* For more info on Kevin, check out his player profile by clicking here.
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Posted In: Recruiting Rundown, Section 1
i want to say congrats to kevin on albny he a very good fit with the thopmes caz and got a goo team for the next six years in my eyes
Great Job, I remember when you played for your dad in ESG games. Marr getting a well coached kid. As a junior Kevin stepped and had a so many great games. Now being a senior I believe Suffern will be a tough out in Class “A” if they L/P in semis they will play Yorktown in a great final. Good luck Kevin and we will see you in the American East conference.
well west lax your right bout suffern that they well be a taught team to be in class A but yorktown is in class B so Suffern would play a a team like lakeland in the semis or finals but i well say that this year final for in class A well be suffern L/P Mamaroneck and Mahopac
Suffern…Rockland favorite,yes.
But North Rockland and Clarkstown South narrow the gap in the County. Both these teams bring back the important players from last year. Suffern has lost some, but we’ve seen the Mounties replenish in years past.
Lion says u are right south and north rockland are bring alot of guys back but suffern got a good core with player like Peter Sharp John Redgate and i think Steven Vaccari well have a big year now mcnally well score but who going to help him at the midd now deff suffern has all ways been konw for that but they got good player with that player like Phil Tomassi who had a awsome year in football help his foot work out at lot along with Billy O’connor Christopher Leary and Eric Pugliese in goal is Kevin Haggerty kid a stud i aslo think peter shatp brother tom going to put big number up with mcnally but they need that last midd to help them out they have a very good shot at section this year very good shot
Suffern sounds like they will be in contention again. Wonder if they can slip into the finals?
if suffern can get a high seed and play a team like Arlington Mamo in the frist round well prolby get the win and then get LP in the semi for revenge for last year 3OT lost am saying it going to be pac and suffern
In my opinion, both Arlington and Mamaroneck are EASILY better than Suffern. Suffern is greatly overrated this year
wall-ballers are back at it. suffern has a tough road this year, so don’t count them in for a section final appearance just yet. seeing is believing with suffern, and we have not seen much consistency from them during the past few seasons.
Saturday both Suffern and Arlington were missing several key players and were very evenly matched when both had core of starters and back ups in the game. Huge advantage Arlington in goal. Arlington’s schedule is very tough and Sufferns not so much. These 2 teams will be very different when they meet in May and will give some insight as to how they stack up if they meet in the playoffs. Typically Suffern plays a light schedule(this year tougher then last 3 years) and gets a high seed. Arlington will be battle tested regardless of seed. A will be more interesting then most think I believe. Its not just the same ole pac, lp and suffern like the last few years. I could be wrong but just a hunch?
Best of luck to Kevin, Coach McNally and Suffern this season.