WARD MELVILLE 18      HUNTINGTON 3

MAY 7, 1999

Huntington started very aggressively and scored twice to go up 2-0. The Patriots answered back with a goal for 2-1 but traded at 3-1, then 3-2, and 4-2. The boys seemed to be working on something while Huntington pursued its game plan. Melville climbed back in it scoring two unanswered goals to tie the game at 4 a piece. The Patriots score the next goal but are not yet energized. Still thinking about their game plan. Huntington kept on plugging and scored again in the closing seconds to end the half at five all...

Wait a minute...that was last year.

April 25, 2000-Today was very different. This was not the kind of contest we have seen over the recent years.  The Patriots began the contest with a face-off  possession. They would not yield a face-off for almost the entire game. With each attacking player feeling out his defender, the play seemed out of character until Gerry found Cunningham up the middle who spins and shoots for the first mark with less than a minute off the clock. Matty Mo then out-ran his defenseman, sending one of his knucklers passed a stunned goalie (a 'four seamer' shouted someone to remain nameless). Huntington had a man up opportunity soon afterwards that they were unable to capitalize on (this ended up to be their best scoring chance of the game against the starting team). At this point in the game it was evident that Melville would control the flow. 

The Huntington offense was dispossessed  in almost every series with outstanding play from Chris P and Ryan Kelaher, with Nick Belvedere keeping Huntington's newest scoring threat under wraps for the entire contest. Nicky G had very little to do as shots were few and far between. LSM Chris Mele was relentless in his pursuit of the ball in all segments of the field. Drew Casino, Todd Cunningham, and Kurt Gerry played hard at both ends of the field, working  for ground balls and marking tightly. Shane Ferraro and Will O'Dwyer had outstanding games on D and O, with Ian Applegate rounding things out with a very solid performance. 

Today saw Melville play seamless lacrosse from each position to the next. It was pretty to watch in its execution and remained under control for the entire game, regardless of which line was out there. This kind of workmanship should serve the Patriots well in their future games as it shows they have learned a lesson from previous outings, to be ready to play for each and every contest. They were... and they did. Matty Mo played with patience and precision. Nick Miaritis had an outstanding game as did Todd Cunningham. Each had terrific goals. Josh Ben-Eliyahu got the start and played his role well. 

Drew Casino had three big league goals and was joined in the scoring by Will O'Dwyer, Shane Ferraro and Craig Middleton. Billy Jautze had a sweet finishing shot on a great look from Cole Ferraro. Cleaver and DeCollibus had good showings as all the lines moved the ball well. Chris Passavia had a few full field rushes with great feeds, one resulting in a goal -to Nick Miaritis to Matty Mo to the back of the net. Von Bargen to Jordan Funt to the right pipe. Carl Reinke wins a faceoff...Stebbins played most of the second half...Thomas Theodorakis played with speed and poise...

They did it all. Too much to list here. But this is not about self congratulation. It's one more game on a long road to one more chance to compete for the New York State title in Class A. 

Keep your focus. One game at a time.

Work Hard. Patriots 2000. Go Patriots!!!

 STATISTICS

PHOTOS BY BRUCE LARRABEE

Attackman Nick Miaritis	Coaches Hoppey, Cuozzo, and Martens	Senior Defenseman Chris Passavia
Senior Midfielder Drew Casino	Junior Midfielder Shane Ferraro	Senior Defenseman Nick Belvedere