WARD MELVILLE 11 MASSAPEQUA 4
JUNE 8, 1999
GREAT TEAM EFFORT. LOOK FOR AN LISN BROADCAST SOON.
Tonight no one was absolutely sure what to expect. Farmingdale was the target from the start of the season but Massapequa had taken them out. The game starts and in under a minute, the Patriots are behind 1-0 on a well executed sequence and finishing shot. Many Melville games have started that way this season (like Mattingly always taking the first pitch for a strike) with a similar outcome. It took a while for the team to get going as they searched for soft spots. The game was tied on a man-up situation for Melville with only one more goal added to close the first at 2-1. A few good opportunities had been turned aside by the Chief's goalie. This would be a chronic condition for the evening. In the second, Melville started to find a rythmn. You could feel it happening. The passing sharpened up and the players began to find their motion. Despite the heroics of Massapequa's goalie, stopping many shots from the crease and everywhere else, five unanswered goals were added to build a 7-1 lead at intermission.The first goal of the second half was scored again
by Massapequa but the Pat's would control and pepper the Pequa goalie; adding only two
more for their efforts and ended the third at 9-3. The Melville squad was too much for the
Chiefs who played as if they were in over their heads. It's tough playing for
championships in this area and you could see the lack of experience and depth take its
toll as the game wore on. Brendan Morgan, Drew Casino, Chris Biel and Todd
Cunningham were in top form and elevated play. The assault was on and once again the team
utilized new and rediscovered approaches in a concerted team effort...Morgan feeding the
sharks...Casino sweeping and firing...Preuss and Monfett driving...Biel working in
close...and Gerry finding his range. The Chiefs goalie played admirably, keeping the score
down, and forcing the Melville attack squadron to work harder for their opportunities. And
they did, creating some picturesque teamwork, drives, and shots. The faceoff men
controlled their area and the secure sticks of this Patriot squad held possessions as they
constructed scoring opportunities. The defensive work was on target for the most part
tonight with everyone to their marks executing shot prevention, ball stripping, and slides
that put a smile on Coach Martens face. Nick Belvedere rose to his starting role and had a
solid performance as did with Chris Mele. The defensive midfield was once again
outstanding with transitions looking very smooth. Derek Kunkel had another strong
performance guarding the goal, seeing the field very well on shots and clears.
Great job boys. Get ready for Yorktown!
Downstate finals on thursday at 7:30pm. This is a required assembly for all Patriot fans. Be there!
Play Hard. Go Patriots!! Play Hard. Go Patriots!!!
STATISTICS
| TEAM | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| MASSAPEQUA | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| MELVILLE | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 11 |
| PLAYER | GOALS | ASSISTS | POINTS |
| MORGAN | 1 | 5 | 6 |
| MONFETT | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| PREUSS | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| CASINO | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| GERRY | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| BIEL | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| GOALIE | SHOTS | SAVES | GOALS |
| KUNKEL | 26 | 8 | 4 |
| FACE-OFFS | CASINO 4/7 | BIEL 9/10 |