WARD
MELVILLE 17 WHITMAN 0
The
Patriots began their 2000 season with a home opener in the stadium
against familiar rival, Walt Whitman High School. A good crowd was on
hand to enjoy some unexpected but welcomed sunshine and reasonable
temperatures to go along with a better than usual performance this early
in the season. The boys showed skill, confidence, and patience on a day
and circumstance that can often lead to breakdowns in team play. Every
line was energized and made the viewing that much better. Special thanks
to a sparkling defense and solid midfield play. The attack looked good
on and off the ball and will likely get even better in the games to
come. All but 4 of Melville's 17 goals were assisted and the final 5
goals of the game were scored by the very talented and deep Patriot
bench.
Matty Monfett picked up where he left off,
bringing home 6 points with 4g,2a. He was joined by neighborhood friend
Nick Miaritis with 7 points at 4g,3a. We welcome Nick's decision to
leave the hallowed halls of Stony Brook School and join his mates at
Melville this year (Nick's brother Jay is playing for Cornell). It's
looking good. Todd Cunningham has moved back to the attack from his
outstanding playoff performances at defensive midfield. He brought home
3 for the Pats at 1g,2a. The unit has some rough spots but watch out for
them with a couple of games under their belts.
Drew Casino changed his style a little but the results were the
same. Drew controlled faceoffs and scored 3 (1g,2a) points. Kurt Gerry
and Will O'Dwyer rounded out the first line showing their experience and
netting one goal each. The second line continues to show their
determination and ability from faceoffs to offense as well. Shane
Ferraro, Ian Applegate, and John Cleaver worked the ball well with Ian
netting 2 on good plays. Chris Mele returns at the pole and is joined
this year by soph Thomas Theodorakis, each performing well with Theo
getting his first point with an assist.
The veteran defensive unit led by seniors Chris Passavia and Nick
Belvedere along with junior Ryan Kelaher, was excellent. The boys have
been to war and back and it shows. Not only do they prevent shots, this
unit made it difficult for Whitman to keep the ball in their sticks.
This line has the chemistry and the skill from 22 games in '99 and they
play like they want it. Nick Gentilesco looked focused in goal and ready
to take his place in nets for the Patriots. His Empire Team and Peddy
Tournament experience has prepared him well. Kevin Woods was a welcome
site in goal, getting a touch. And Ricky Freud also got to put his stick
on one.
John Matsui rotated into the attack early and played well,
scoring his first varsity goal in the game (brother Nathan at Umass will
be proud). Josh Ben-Eliyahu and Cole Ferraro round out the second
attack unit...also moving the ball well and playing smart. Josh added 2
points with 1g,1a. Billy Jautze also netted his first varsity goal with
a fine finishing shot. John Salvesen and Jared Funt rounded out the
scoring.
Craig Middleton was 3 for 3 in faceoffs demonstrating his
tenacity in coming up with the ball in a crowd. Carl Reinke showed
his quickness... Craig Decollibus has the tools. All the long poles
showed they can play...they can move and shake that 6'
stick. John Stebbins, Paul Marchisoto, Jason
Rapisarda, Brad Lutzer, Jeff Morse, and Charles Cirelli have all
demonstrated good skills. Their is more depth here than anyone can
remember.
Midfielders Eric Meier, Doug Von Bargen, Mike Murphy, and
Joey Maeyhr have the skills and the speed to play the game. Attackman
Steve Cartier is a solid player with good instincts. Nick Searle and
Jordan Funt are quick with good sticks. These players have all been
competitive in each of their games. (Also- a get well to Chris Rampone
sidelined with a leg injury).
The 2000 Patriots look like they are ready to carry on the
Melville tradition as they are called upon to hold up their end of the
bargin. They are working hard for their coaches and their team...and it
shows.
STATISTICS
| TEAM |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
FINAL |
| WHITMAN |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| MELVILLE |
5 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
17 |
| PLAYER |
GOALS |
ASSISTS |
TOTAL |
|
MONFETT |
4 |
2 |
6 |
| MIARITIS |
4 |
3 |
7 |
| CUNNINGHAM |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| CASINO |
1 |
2 |
3 |
| APPLEGATE |
2 |
0 |
2 |
| BEN-ELIAYHU |
1 |
1 |
2 |
| GERRY |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| O'DWYER |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| MATSUI |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| JAUTZE |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| THEODORAKIS |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| SALVESEN |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| FUNT,
JARED |
0 |
1 |
1 |
| TOTALS |
17 |
13 |
30 |
| GOALIE
STATS |
SAVES/SHOTS |
GOALS |
|
| GENTILESCO |
8/10 |
0 |
|
| WOODS |
2/2 |
0 |
|
| FREUD |
2/2 |
0 |
|
| FACE-OFFS |
TAKEN |
WON |
PCT. |
| CASINO |
9 |
6 |
67% |
| FERRARO |
4 |
3 |
75% |
| SALVESEN |
3 |
1 |
33% |
| MIDDLETON |
3 |
3 |
100% |
| VON
BARGEN |
2 |
0 |
0% |
Welcome
team 2000! Sweat Equity. (Work your butt off) See
you at West Islip. PS.
Don't forget to check the 'Bulletins' button for the latest special
announcements! Look for the Alumni Game Info!
Photos
by Bruce Larrabee
Nick Gentilesco |
Nick Belvedere |
Ryan Kelaher |
Chris Passavia |
Todd Cunningham |
Matt Monfett |
Nick Miaritis |
Will O'Dwyer |
Drew Casino |
| |
|
|
|