JUNE 10, 2000 SATURDAY 4:00 PM

THEY DID IT!
STATE CHAMPS! 2000!
BACK TO BACK!
TWO IN A ROW!
THREE WINS IN FOUR CONSECUTIVE TRIPS!
UNDEFEATED SEASON!
44-0 RECORD OVER TWO YEARS!
87-1 RECORD OVER FOUR YEARS!

INCREDIBLE TEAM! UNFORGETTABLE SEASON! THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE PROUD OF WHAT YOU'VE ACCOMPLISHED AND HOW YOU DID IT. WOODSIE!!!

UNPRECEDENTED FOUR COMEBACK WINS IN THE LAST TWO MINUTES OF THE GAME THIS SEASON! TWO BACK TO BACK GAMES WITH HIGH STAKES! THREE NIGHT GAME APPEARANCES WITH HUGE CROWDS IN THE REGULAR SEASON!

BRAVO PATRIOTS...EACH AND EVERY ONE!

This determined group of players took the field in tremendous heat with the burden and pride of the program's legacy to uphold. Within seconds, a Drew Casino faceoff, and Matty Mo driving the cage from behind for goal number one, surprising no one but the Orchard Park defense! Their defense buckled down after that, but the Patriots controlled the play. Each time a shot was saved or a ball worked loose for the turnover, Melville's D-men would get it back! If they did get a shot off, Nicky G was all over it. The Patriot offense moved the ball patiently, testing the defense in all different locations. They took their time and worked their way to a 2-1 first quarter...adding only one more in the second period until Matty finishes a fast break with one second on the clock for a 4-1 half time lead. But you could feel it...the game was over at 2-1 in the first. Orchard Park could not handle the awesome Melville defense...Passavia, Kelaher, Belvedere, Mele, Theodorakis...they were on and wouldn't let Orchard Park breathe. Dispossession after dispossession. Passavia and Kelaher took their opponents ball and sometimes their stick as well. It was only a matter of time before the offense would pick off more goals and complete their mission. 
Drew Casino dominated the faceoff circle and the offense with three goals, giving the team the lift they needed. The midfields controlled the play...excellent clears, ground balls...Melville dominated in every way. Jon Matsui worked the ball for a two goal performance to finish the scoring with Drew at 3 goals and Matt and Jon with 2 each. Nick Miaritis worked his butt off against an Orchard Park defense that proved to be very difficult to drive on. Ian Applegate and Kurt Gerry were again outstanding. Ferraro, O'Dwyer, and Cleaver controlled their shifts as well. They all played so well today...and all year. Todd Cunningham leading the spirit of these magnificent Patriots...reminding each one of how special it is to be able to take the field!

Guts, grit, determination, refuse to lose, tradition...

The tradition continues...

(GAME STORY DETAILS TO COME...)

Incredible Effort!  Hard Work! Go Patriots 2001!