WARD MELVILLE 8 DARIEN 6
April 11, 2001
Darien, Ct.
Melville
8 Darien
6
The two–time defending NYS Champion Ward Melville Patriots (5-0) held off a determined Darien, Ct. “Blue Wave” team for an 8-6 victory. This rematch of the cross sound rivals brought a second year of exciting lacrosse to cheering fans who were still talking about last year’s one-goal contest.
First quarter scoring opened up with Melville’s Senior John Salvesen finishing a good look from Senior Matt Monfett for a 1-0 lead. Darien evened up the score at 1-1 on an unsettled play that caught Patriot goalie, Senior Nick Gentilesco, out of cage (13 saves). Melville scored goal two in transition on a strong shot from Junior Jon Matsui, assisted by Junior Ryan Blaney.
The second quarter scoring was all Darien, with the Blue Wave holding Melville scoreless. #17 scored twice, the first coming on an extra-man opportunity. Blue Wave goal #3 came just 3 minutes later on an assist from #21. At the end of two periods of play, Darien had a 3-2 lead.
The third quarter opened with both teams looking to establish control of the game. Darien face-off specialist, #5, was too much for Melville as he controlled the draws throughout the game, winning 14 of 17 face-offs. However, Melville’s defense was up to the challenge and was able to return possession to the attack, who put in three unanswered goals, two from Senior Billy Jautze and one by Jon Matsui (2 goals,1 assist) on an assist from Junior John Keysor. Darien Head Coach sensed the momentum change and called time-out to settle his club.
The time-out worked as Blue Wave midfielder, #6, scored two unassisted goals within two minutes of each other. Melville’s Matt Monfett was able to add goal 6 near the close of the 3rd quarter on an unassisted, no- look shot coming from behind the cage. The score at the end of 3 quarters was 6-5 Melville.
With the game up for grabs, it became a question of who wanted it more. The Patriots scored first at 8:23 of the 4th, on a goal by Sophomore Mike Ward from Matt Monfett (1 goal, 2 assists) to make it 7-5 Melville. Melville’s defense was starting to control play when an inadvertent pass slipped by the Melville goal- keeper for an “own-goal” score to make the game 7-6 Melville with 6:16 left to play.
It appeared that this was the break that the Blue Wave was looking for… you could see a renewed effort to tie the game at 7 all. However, Darien was to be denied as Patriot Jon Matsui , found cutting mid-fielder Junior Jordan Funt, to make the score 8-6 with 3 minutes left to play. From there on, Melville was able to hang on to their two goal lead and run out the clock.
Congratulations to
both teams on a well played contest and thanks to Darien for hosting this
year’s “Battle of the Sound”. GO
PATRIOTS!
Unofficial Scoring Totals
Goals: WM- Matsui (2), Jautze (2), Salvesen, Monfett, Ward, Funt…DARIEN- #17 (2), #6 (2), #21, Own goal
Assists: WM- Monfett (2), Blaney, Keysor, Matsui…DARIEN- #21
Saves: WM- Gentilesco (13)…DARIEN- #4 (6)
Face-offs: WM- Ferraro (0/8), Middleton (3/9)…DARIEN- #5 (14/17)