PATRIOTS TOP HUNTINGTON IN 22-16 SHOOTOUT

Ward Melville won their home opener against a persistent Huntington team in a shootout that ended in a 22 – 16 victory on a brisk Saturday afternoon at WM’s Patriots field. Junior attackman David Schwartzberg led the Patriots with 7 goals and 3 assists and senior midfielder John Keysor and senior attackman Jon Matsui each scored 5 and 4 goals, respectively, to account for 16 of the Patriots 22 goals. The game was an offensive battle for both teams. Just as the Patriots seemed to pull ahead comfortably, the Blue Devils from Huntington kept answering with their own offensive threats.  

Ward Melville held the lead at the end of the 1st quarter (4 – 3) with John Keysor setting the tone by winning most of the face-offs and scoring the game’s first goal on a nice feed from senior attackman Peter Kasper. Huntington returned with two great ball movement goals, but senior midfielder Jordan Funt came roaring back when he scored in WM’s first man-up situation. Keysor assisted Funt after shaking the ball loose with a picture perfect over-the-top stick check.  

The 2^nd quarter quickly became a scoring fest with 14 goals scored by both teams. WM’s junior midfielder Ryan Preuss scored twice and Schwartzberg lit up the scoreboard for four more as Melville outpaced Huntington 9 – 5 in the period. Senior goalie Ricky Freud made two huge saves to hold the Blue Devils back. The 1^st half ended with the Patriots leading by a score of 13 – 8.  

The Blue Devils took early momentum in the 3^rd quarter by scoring three unanswered goals, but the Patriots again put on a barrage of scoring with Matsui, Schwartzberg, and junior midfielder Michael Ward. Freud made a big save in a man down situation at the end of the quarter with the score standing at WM 17 and Huntington 13.  

The 4^th quarter became a slugfest with physical play on both sides of the field. There were penalties by both teams which led to many man-up, man-down situations. With 5:00 remaining, Huntington narrowed the margin to 19 – 16. Ward Melville iced the game, however, when Michael Ward finished on a fast break play. Matsui fed a streaking Ward from behind the goal, but Ward’s momentum had carried him too far for a clear shot. Ward then flipped a beautiful behind-the-back shot past Huntington goalkeeper Charlie Paar. The Patriots fans cheered wildly when it seemed that WM had finally put the game out of reach.  

The game ended on a coast-to-coast action play when senior defenseman Thomas Theodorakis picked up a loose ball on the defensive side, ran the length of the field, dished off to Peter Kasper, who sent it across to Matsui for the Patriots 22^nd and final goal.  

CONTRATULATIONS TO THE PATRIOTS ON WIN #2!!

WM takes on William Floyd at home field again on Monday, April 8, 4:00 p.m.

Please be there to support your Patriots 2002!

Go Patriots!

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