SACHEM  7  WARD MELVILLE  6

 

 

5/30/01

 

The #4 seeded Sachem Flaming Arrows defeated the #1 seeded Ward Melville Patriots 7-6 in the Suffolk County semi final game at King’s Park in front of 1,200 cheering fans.  Sachem will face Northport in the County Championship on Sat. June 2nd at Hofstra University.

The two-time NYS Champion Ward Melville Patriots were denied a chance to defend their title by an aggressive Sachem team who kept the Patriots out of rhythm throughout the game.

Senior All-County Midfielder Nick Miaritis opened the scoring on an unassisted goal to put the Patriots up 1-0.  Just 20 seconds later, Sophomore Midfielder Mike Ward fired one passed Sachem Goalie Senior Matt Darak to make the score 2-0.  Sachem answered back with their first goal by Senior Midfielder Paul Blumenauer on an assist from Senior All-County Attackman Jamie Lovejoy, who lead all Sachem scoring with 5 assists.  Sachem scored their second goal on a good shot from Senior Midfielder Cody Shea, off Lovejoy’s second assist.  The first quarter ended at 2-2.

Sachem scored first in the second period with Senior Attackman Luke Daquino, (2 goals), finishing an assist from Senior Attackman Steve Camarda(1 goal, 1 assist). Melville’s Senior All-American Attackman Matt Monfett (2 goals) scored unassisted to tie the game at 3-3 just before half time.

The third quarter opened much like the first with Melville scoring the first two goals.  Goal #4 came from Junior Midfielder John Keysor (1goal, 1 assist) from a good look from Senior All-Division Attackman Billy Jautze.  Goal # 5 was scored by Monfett on an assist from Sophomore All-Division Attackman Dave Schwartzberg.

Sachem put in the next three goals on assists from Lovejoy…Goal #4 by Junior Midfielder Ryan Schoening, #5 by Camarda and #6 by Daquino, his second of the day.  The score at the end of 3 periods was Sachem 6, Melville 5.

Just 21 seconds into the 4th quarter, Sachem’s Senior Defenseman Jared Brush picked up a loose ball from the face-off and rushed upfield, shooting one passed Melville’s Senior All-County Goalie Nick Gentilesco (10 saves).  Gentilesco played a solid game keeping the Patriots in the game from a pressing Sachem offense.  The score was 7-5 Sachem with 11:39 left to play.

Melville was to be denied another goal until 1:28 of the 4th, when Senior All-County Midfielder Shane Ferraro scored on an assist from Keysor to make the score 7-6 Sachem.

Ferraro gained possession on the next  face-off, but the ball was returned to Sachem on an infraction.  As Sachem Goalie Darak set-up to put the ball in play, Monfett pressed and was able to steal the ball from a surprised Darak who was 20 yards out from the cage. Monfett raced to the open goal, but shot high over the crossbar giving possession back to Sachem.

Sachem remained unsettled however, throwing the ball out of bounds with 50 seconds left.  Melville called time-out, putting the ball in Miaritis’ stick to tie the game.  Miaritis advanced to the cage, dodged left and shot, however Darak was up to the task, making a good save with just 34 seconds remaining, giving the Framing Arrows possession for the last time.  Final score 7-6 Sachem.

The Melville families wish to thank the Coaches and Players for a terrific year of Lacrosse.  Best wishes to the Seniors as they move on to college, and the best of luck to the underclassman who will carry the pride and tradition of Ward Melville Lacrosse in 2002.

GO PATRIOTS!

Unofficial Scoring Totals:

Goals:  WM- Monfett (2), Miaritis, Ward, Keysor, Ferraro… S- Daquino (2),

           Blumenauer, Shea, Schoenig, Camarda, Brush.

Assists: WM-  Jautze, Schwartzberg, Keysor…S- Lovejoy (5), Camarda

Saves:  WM-  Gentilesco (10), Darak (8)

Faceoffs-  WM-  11of 17; Ferraro (9/11), Middleton (2/6)…S-  6 of 17; Schoenig (3/11),NMauro (3/6)