WARD MELVILLE 11 FARMINGDALE 9
The Ward Melville “Patriots “ (6-0 ) defeated the Farmingdale “Dalers” in the second game of an evening double header that also featured Baldwin vs. Sachem in the opener. The Sachem “Flaming Arrows” defeated Baldwin in a hard fought contest 13-7.
The Dalers came to play, opening the first quarter with two unassisted goals by Sophomore Midfielder Matt Danowski for a 2-0 early lead. Melville Senior Attackman Matt Monfett( 3 goals, 2 assists) got the Patriots on the board by beating Goalkeeper Senior Corey Gibbons who was stellar in goal, making 16 saves throughout the game. Farmingdale answered back at 1:03 of the first with a goal by Sophomore Attackman Jonathan Engelke ( 4 goals, 1 assist ). With 13 seconds left in the 1st, Melville Junior Attackman Jon Matsui ( 3 goals ) came around the left side and slide the ball through as he was falling to the ground from a trip by his defender. The first quarter ended with Farmingdale in front 3-2.
The second quarter had both teams trying to establish dominance to no avail. Melville added 3 goals from Seniors Monfett, Shane Ferraro and John Salvesen (2 goals ). Ferraro, Salvesen and Senior John Maher were solid at face-offs, winning 18 of 23 to give the Patriots important possession of the ball. The Dalers’ Engelke added one more to end the half at 5-4 Melville.
The 3rd period saw some sloppy play with both sides struggling to pick up ground balls and maintain possession. Farmingdale seemed more determined and was able to score 3 unanswered goals by Engleke, Junior Midfielder Rob Bonaguro ( 2 goals ) and Senior Midfielder Chris Padden, giving the Dalers a 7-5 lead with 7:39 left to play in the 3rd. Melville Senior Billy Jautze eventually found the cage, picking up a loose ball and beating Gibbons. Teammate Matsui followed up with his second goal to bring the score to 7-7 and at the end of 3 periods.
The game would be decided by who brought the “ will to win “…
Farmingdale scored first on an unassisted goal by Bonaguro. Two minutes later, Monfett found Salvesen cutting through the crease, who put it in the back of the cage to bring the score to 8-8. With about 8 minutes left to play, the Patriots were looking for some momentum and called upon Senior Nick Miaritis who was sidelined for much of the game with an injury. Miaritis took the ball to the cage, but was denied by Gibbons; however, the rebound came behind the goal where Miairits was able to pick it up and slice through two defenders and get near the cage. With only one man left to beat, he launched himself from behind the cage and fired the ball passed a “frozen” Gibbons for a 9-8 Melville lead.
It was the inspiration the Patriots were looking for…Matsui and Monfett then sealed the game by scoring goals 10 & 11, respectively. Farmingdale was held scoreless for the remainder of the game until Engelke found the net with just one second left on the clock to bring the final score to 11-9.
The Miaritis family, on behalf of the entire Melville program, wish to thank all involved in making the fund raiser for the Louis J. Acompora Foundation a wonderful success and a special evening for the Acompora Family.
Unofficial
Scoring Totals:
Goals-
WM- Monfett (3), Matsui (3), Salvesen (2), Ferraro, Jautze,
Miairits…F-Engelke
(4), Danowski (2), Bonaguro (2), Padden
Assists-
WM- Monfett (2)…F- Engelke, Sweeney
Saves-
WM- Gentilesco (3)…F-
Gibbons (16)
Face-offs-WM-
18/23…Ferraro 9/12, Maehr 6/8, Salvesen 3/3…F- 5/23
The Patriots will face-off
against rivals Northport in what promises to be an outstanding lacrosse game on
Wed., April 18, at 4:30PM at home.
GO PATRIOTS!