History was made this past week for the Smithtown High School East boys lacrosse team as the Bulls captured their first Suffolk County championship since 2015, bringing a county title back to the program after a decade-long wait.
In a thrilling Class B Suffolk County Championship game at Stony Brook University, Smithtown East edged West Islip by a score of 8-7 in a contest that came down to the final minute. With the game tied late in regulation, sophomore Brock Bernhardt delivered the biggest moment of the season, scoring the game-winning goal with just 37 seconds remaining to give the Bulls the dramatic victory.
The championship marks a significant milestone for the program and adds another memorable chapter to Smithtown East’s rich lacrosse tradition. The win was especially meaningful for the school community, which has watched the team battle through a competitive season to reach the top of Suffolk County.
The last time the Bulls won a county championship was in 2015, when current Smithtown Central School District Director of Athletics Jason Lambert served as the team's head coach. Now, 11 years later, the program has once again reached the summit under the leadership of Head Coach Kevin Huff.
For Huff, the title carries special significance. He previously guided the Bulls to a county championship in 2003 and now adds another championship trophy to his impressive coaching résumé.
Following the victory, the school celebrated the accomplishment and recognized the efforts of the players and coaching staff.
“Congratulations to the team and Head Coach Kevin Huff, who won a county championship as head coach of the Bulls in 2003,” the school said in a statement.
From the opening faceoff to Bernhardt’s dramatic late goal, the championship game showcased the determination, resilience, and teamwork that defined the Bulls throughout the season.
Now county champions once again, Smithtown East has given its players, coaches, and supporters a moment they will remember for years to come while restoring the program’s place among Suffolk County’s elite lacrosse teams.