Howell Plays For Another NCAA Title

It’s a big week for Long Island lacrosse. Former standout Zach Howell will play for a national championship over Memorial Day weekend.

His fifth-seeded Duke Blue Devils will face Atlantic Coast Conference rival Maryland in an NCAA men's lacrosse national semifinal Saturday at 6:30 p.m. (ESPN2-TV) in Baltimore. 

Howell was named to the NCAA All-Tournament team after the national championship a year ago. Now a senior attack, Howell is looking to finish his prolific career as a two-time champ. While at Huntington, Howell led the Blue Devils to back-to-back state titles.

The United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association announced All-American teams earlier in the week. Howell was selected as an All-American Third-Team and a Scholar All-American. It’s his first All-American award at the college level after scoring 42 goals and 16 assists. Howell’s 58 points rank third in the ACC.

In the opposite bracket, No. 7 Virginia takes on No. 6 Denver. Another Huntington standout, Rhamel Bratton, will be on the Virginia sideline but won’t play, according to reports. The senior midfielder hasn’t played since he was suspended and twin brother the team April 29.

The title game is Monday at 3:30 p.m. (ESPN-TV).

Former St. Anthony’s standout John Antoniades, a sophomore midfielder at Hofstra, was named an Honorable Mention USILA All-American.