WARD MELVILLE 16      YORKTOWN 8

APRIL 17, 1999

The Coca Cola Classic

JV Game, B school game, A school game

The weather acted much like it has for past Coca Cola Classics. The rain was pushed out by the late afternoon sun for another exciting lacrosse event. The first game of the day saw the Melville JV defeat the Yorktown team 12-3 on the traditional lacrosse field at Melville. Congratulations to the guys on a very convincing victory. The second game of the day was a battle between B school power Stony Brook and up and coming Shoreham-Wading River coached by Melville alumn Tom Rotanz. The game was well played and exciting with end to end action with SWR having the advantage in size and speed. Rotanz also has his team skilled in the basics as SWR realized their first ever victory over the Bears.  Melville's varsity game started at 8pm in the stadium before a large enthusiastic crowd that seemed to enjoy all the food, drinks, pictures and lacrosse clothing that were available. (Special thanks to all the volunteers that put it together).

Varsity Game

The game got off to a great start for the home team. Chris Biel controlled the opening face-off and worked the ball down to the offense where Todd Cunningham beat his man on an inside roll and ran passed the sliding defenseman who blocked his goalie as Cunningham shot into the gaping hole. But this was not how the game would go. Yorktown equalized as Melville showed it was prone to turnovers. For each great play someone would make, Yorktown would regain possession. We passed almost directly to the opposition on many occasions, we missed passes that we never miss, and again we started slowly on our ground balls. We chased the game to 2-2 when Yorktown took their only lead of the night at 3-2 in the first period. They were quick to capitalize on our errors and showed that they could play. Yorktown exhibited a good passing game and shooting ability. Melville tied it up at 3 all and added 2 more to go up 5-3. You know the Melville fans expect a great deal from their teams and thought it was time to bury the opposition. It didn't happen. Trading goals at 5-4; 6-4; and 6-5 on a last moment goal by Yorktown to end the half. Yorktown was excited and Melville was calculating.

Melville's Green Machine came out for the second half with renewed purpose. Junior defenseman Chris Passavia had another outstanding game for the Patriots.  He dominated the close defense, was amazing on his clears adding another goal to his credits, and was used as a long stick wing on the face-offs.  Basically they worked harder, ran faster, hit harder and played their best lacrosse of the young season. It looked like the bunch of players who got together in March became a team last night in the second half. Yorktown didn't know what hit them. They got hit from everywhere. Morgan all over, Cunningham on the left, Monfett on the right, Mayer at the crease, Gerry outside, Willy Passavia driving down the middle, Casino up top, Chris Passavia from long stick at the face-off. The ball moved, the players intensified, the defense held their ground and Yorktown went down 16-8.

The Melville fans are beginning to see a team that is improving with each game.  Hopefully they will continue to improve and peak as the playoffs begin.

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STATISTICS

PHOTOS (By BRUCE LARRABEE)