Andreassi, Gamblin, Cabble Headed back to LI

Three Sachem alums who started the school year at colleges off Long Island to play lacrosse are headed home.

Michael Andreassi and Brandon Gamblin are leaving the University of Massachusetts, while Jake Cabble is transferring from Robert Morris.

Andreassi and Cabble are headed to play at Stony Brook, while Gamblin will play at New York Tech, where his brother Corey, a senior at Sachem this year, is committed to play.

Until they sign their National Letters of Intent or grant-in-aid paperwork, or have a housing deposit with the schools, the announcements can not be officially made by their respective colleges.

First year Stony Brook coach Jim Nagle is not able to comment on prospective student-athletes either, according to the university.

All three said they were unhappy with their surroundings and felt comfortable returning to their native island.

Sachem coach Jay Mauro, who by next year will have more than 30 former players on the college level, offered comment on the transfers.

“It's their decision and I support whatever decision my players make,” he said. “The only thing I care about is that they are happy at the end of the day. My goal is to help guide them to hopefully become contributing members of society. As long as they are happy, I am happy.”

Andreassi and Cabble will be reunited with Sachem teammate Alex Harris at Stony Brook.

“It’s going to be great playing with them,” Andreassi said. “Having those guys back with me and being able to play with them is something special.”

“I’m so happy to be reunited with my main guys,” said Cabble, who has to red shirt this season because of tearing an ACL for the third time. “I can’t wait.”

Andreassi, Cabble and Harris all won gold medals with the Long Island Empire State Game (ESG) team last summer. It was the last ESG team Long Island will have until they reinstate the games.

As for Gamblin, who was rated as one of the top 15 incoming freshman by Lacrosse Magazine this year, he said playing at Massachusetts wasn’t what he expected. He’s looking at the bright side of playing with his brother starting in 2013.

“The best thing about it is that I’m going to be playing with my brother who has become an outstanding defensemen,” he said via Facebook message.

Andreassi said Massachusetts coach Greg Cannella was obviously upset upon learning about the transfers.

“But he understood,” said Andreassi, who was on the sidelines for the last two Sachem football games. “They don’t treat me any differently up there and it’s making my decision easier.”

Michael’s decision leaves his younger brother, Sachem junior Tyler Andreassi’s commitment in question. Tyler, the No. 37 ranked junior lacrosse recruit, according to ESPN, is currently a linebacker and full back on Sachem’s football team, which is in the midst of a championship run. He said he will make a decision after the season is over.

“I was shocked,” he said. “I thought it was going to be us playing on the same field come 2014.”