1999 NEW YORK STATE CLASS A CHAMPIONS!!!

JUNE 12, 1999

The game started with two Casino faceoff draws in our favor but not the possessions. The defense holds. Mike Carolan, Chris Mele, Bryan Mendez, Nick Belvedere, and Chris Passavia worked the long sticks against the Wildcat's shooters. Todd Cunningham again worked the short stick defense and played hard. On our first possession Drew Casino charges into the box and finds Brendan Morgan-low right who already knew…fires across to Derrick Preuss on the crease. Derrick expertly beats the goalie for the first score of the game and a 1-0 Melville lead. The crowd goes nuts! With a change of lines, Chris Biel follows with the next possession after an unsettled situation and brings the ball into the box. As he moves downfield he sees the play. Brett Raboy trailing to the right. Biel goes deeper, looks off the defense to the left, turns and delivers to Brett running through. Raboy receives in stride and rips a 10 yarder off stick side for number two! Patriots lead 2-0! It looks like we could run! West Genee seemed stunned. Certainly their fans were. The Patriots were obviously for real and today might not be what some of the Wildcat followers had hoped for…the hope that this years Melville might only be pretenders to the tradition, not the real deal.

Aha! Not so! …It’s never an easy game with these two premier programs!

At this point, up 2-0, the Melville team seemed to change. All the basics were slipping. The Wildcats earned a goal on some very accurate passing in sequences that were well honed, finishing in a fine shot to cut the deficit in half at 2-1. They masterfully pulled our zone apart and struck as the chance unfolded. Melville had good opportunities after that but played erratically and didn’t finish. The quarter runs rough for the Pats but ends with their 2-1 lead intact.

In the second quarter the wheels come off...the Pats can't clear, miss ground balls, and send passes flying. Pressure, pressure, pressure. You can’t allow West Genee the ball so much if you want to win this thing. The Wildcats find their stride and hammer us for one goal to tie and then add one more for their first lead of the game in the second quarter.

After a while, Melville gains a possession and sends the ball behind to Morgan who switches back and forth watching his team’s motion. Nick Mayer bursts out and cuts down Broadway on the right side, receives from Morgan (who was tracking him) and hits a quick shot home at a high angle, low-just inside the pipe. Great execution! The game is tied again at 3 each but we looked like we were struggling for possession. We couldn’t hold onto the ball let alone settle in. Fortunately, the boys just kept working. WG strikes again for their second lead of the day at 4-3 with the Melville ‘D’ obviously not happy with the openings. The play follows with Melville on one of its rare possessions of the quarter and works the ball quickly. Nick Mayer carrying finds Drew Casino top center who fires a carpet burner around his defenseman that arrives at the lower right corner for goal number four. Smooth motion and on target…making it look easy. The Patriots had some promising plays and opportunities here but they were brief and unsuccessful. Genee used its possession time to exploit our disorganization for a 5-2 second quarter and a 6-4 lead at halftime. The one saving grace here, the mistakes seemed obvious and correctable. Just know that if you continue to make them, the Wildcats will make you pay.

The second half opens with a renewed Patriot spirit as we’ve seen so many times this year. Drew wins his faceoff cleanly (as he would do many more times from here on in) and bolts downfield. He delivers to Preuss who knows where it’s going…to Matty Mo’ on the crease for goal number 5 at six seconds of the second half. Now that’s much better! A definite crowd pleaser. We win the next faceoff, lose the ball, get it back…a ward is called.. and a big save on the crease. Willy Passavia takes the ball up on the clear and has to run the West Genee gauntlet just to get to the other side. Their rides were tough and ours invisible. We were happy to secure the possession. The ball is worked and delivered to #33 who puts the moves on his ‘D’ man and pops one in close to tie again at 6-6 very early in the period. Great stuff. No worse for the wear, Melville restores itself and looks good doing it. But once again we slow ourselves down with unprecedented unforced errors. Brett Raboy gets the ball after a Chris Passavia strip check and moves well to the O'Zone. He misreads the box line, steps in the wrong spot, and backs out. We have never seen this before and Brett was playing great…but..another turnover. The way things were going on offense it seemed like ‘if we could get into the box’, we would score on each opportunity. The ball is won back by the defense which had adjusted considerably, giving few good looks to work with. A good clear this time and the ball delivered to Preuss who is checked while surveying his options; but knocks the ball out of the long stick and out of bounds. Morgan controls the restart…patiently working behind the cage as Matty makes his move. A pinpoint pass from behind and a surgical finish from our cagey sophomore and Melville regains the lead at 7-6!

As we daze in the glory of the moment, WG strikes quickly. Winning the next ball, the middie comes down the center and sends a frozen rope pass down left at the cage which is returned ‘give and go’ style to a middie on the run who fires a 12 yarder to tie again at 7. Bing, bang, boom! These teams are explosive! Don’t turn your back! Don’t look around at the scenery! Don’t even sneeze! You might miss the play of the day! These Wildcats were able to execute fast breaks, set plays, and almost anything else if you leave them with the ball.

Unfortunately for Melville, more inexplicable unforced errors were laced into this period (it has happened in each of the three meetings of these teams with everyone having a share). On an offensive break with Casino carrying, the first pass goes to MM and then to DP who loses the handle (rare). Genee goes into the box where the D men reclaim the ball and deliver to DK. DK looks upfield but sends it over the mark (rare again). These possessions were key to a possible win in regulation but that’s what makes a game. Another save and a check and an outlet missed, Wildcats gets it back again. Another check and clear that gets to Brett Raboy who brings it to the line but gets doubled at the last moment. The ball is knocked loose and picked up by WG. They lose the ball but we don’t clear again! WG back to the offense. This was unprecedented in this season, and it happens all in one game! A strange mixture of excellence and edginess; but the boys keep on working. No one is phased, all systems go. (Only the fans riding the emotional roller coaster). On the next possession Matty Mo’ has a shot that misses and ends up in Morgan’s stick. He stalks the back of the cage then bolts for the right side coming around, turns and fires the hot rock from an impossible angle…skinning the goalie for the lead again at 8-7. What a game! What a play!

Melville goes back on offense with Preuss getting a good look that narrowly misses followed by a Genny break and shot that also misses. WG keeps the ball and works it this time, pulls the zone to the right side and opens a shooter on the low left who buries his shot... stick side low for the tie. Again. At 8-8! This is grueling…and very exciting. The pace is fast and relentless on both ends from both squads.

Chris Mele then intercepts a pass and brings the ball to midfield, passing to Biel.. to Preuss..to Monfett..lefty..off stick side low for the lead! Another great play! Excellent ball handling and vision. Lightning strikes! 9-8 at 7:56 of the fourth. This is big! But there’s a lot of time left. WG gets the ball from the next faceoff and runs into Nick Belvedere who strips it back. Kunkel’s clear ends up with a loose ball in the offensive zone. WG settles, gets stripped, then regains possession. A frustrated Willy Passavia tracks down the ball carrier to the left of the cage but looses his stick out to the sideline on the wrap check. Chris Passavia chases the ball down and battles with a WG player who veers away from the ball and knocks over at least two defensemen and they all fall to the ground. This went unnoticed by the officials. Another Wildcat picks up the ball, goes behind to the left, delivers to the crease…shot…score! (5 on 4) Tied. Again. 9-9 at 5:34 of the fourth. (Those with heart and lung problems were asked to leave the stadium for their own protection).

Biel gains possession on the next faceoff and gets knocked to the ground but manages to get off a pass to the offensive zone that bounces away from the Patriots and into the stick of the WG keeper. WG mishandles the ball and we regain possession but an unsettled battle ensues. The Patriots prevail and Morgan controls on the back right; but behind the play, suddenly Chris Biel is writhing on the ground with pain, holding his shoulder. (This mystery hit by the invisible man caused a severe dislocation and a whole lot of pain. The ball was not in the area. Play resumes after a number of minutes treating Chris Biel on the field until he was able to move on his own). (One faceoff man/ defensive backer is out of the game and Drew will have double duty until the end of the game). Matty Mo’ starts the next play, drives and dodges to the cage from the right side but misses wide left. Preuss retrieves and passes to Willy Passavia. Will drives around the area and works up top, splits the defense and fires lefty off stick side that hits the butt end of the keeper’s stick. They’re getting looks but no luck. The Wildcats pick up the ground ball and work an easy clear. In transition now, they need only one pass to get to a Wildcat on the crease…he fakes twice and scores. Excellent execution. No chance for Kunkel as the Wildcats take the lead at 10-9. These guys don’t stop.

And neither do the Patriots! Drew Casino wins another clean faceoff… drives downfield and finds Preuss… to Monfett…rapid acceleration… and in for goal number ten! (#5 on the day for Matt). These are magical sequences performed by very talented players. Great fun to see. And now we're...Tied! Again! We win the next faceoff but lose the ball; then get it back on O’ to Willy Passavia who inverts, powers up the left side from the rear, beats his cover, turns, but shoots just wide to the right. Matt Monfett goes again, zigging and zagging, turning his man around and drives to the crease where he is hacked as he shoots…and stopped by the goalie. WG outlets and Chris Mele enters the field and pursues the ball carrier but is called for a technical off-sides (re-play showed the call in error). This brings a 30 second penalty into the last 2 minutes of regulation in a tied State Championship game. The West Genny Wildcats begin their rotation but a quick stick by Nick Belvedere knocks the ball to Chris Passavia who bolts upfield and into the O’Zone. One dodge and he’s open to the cage… Raises his long stick and fires a sharp angled bouncer... that hops over the goal. (I’m sure some of us were re-living Matt Grosso’s 97’ run). This is edge of your seat stuff!

Genny gets quick to the offense and sets up a golden opportunity. Conklin, one of the Wildcats' most dangerous shooters is in close and loads up for what would likely be a winning goal. Kunkel looks focused and ready; Conklin fires but Derek stuffs the shot neatly. (No big deal with your senior classes' chances riding on your stick). DK punches it up and it’s the Patriots to the offense once again. The ball is worked to DP who is checked at the crease…turnover…the outlet to a Wildcats midfielder racing down into shooting range, gets a clear look with Kunkel at his mercy. West Genny's Lykudis has been here many times before with great success...he's agressive and accurate...picks his spot and  fires sidearm...but Derek is locked on...Lykudis is stopped cold by Kunkel, who saves the tied game. Melville ball held with no shots to the end of regulation.

This is unbelievable. The fans need respirators to stay in it but the team looks calm and determined. I don’t know how they do it. Two three minute overtime periods are played. If there is no leader after this, sudden death periods are played until someone scores. (You remember 98’ don’t you?)

Drew Casino wins the first possession and works the ball to Willy Passavia who drives to the crease and is hacked by a double team. A penalty is called and Melville’s potent man-up gets a chance. Kurt Gerry shoots first but fires wide from the top. Derrick Preuss gets in front of the cage but the shot nicks the stick and/or crossbar. Melville ball goes to Matty Mo’ who drives behind the cage, unsettles his cover, turns back and fires an outstanding shot for goal 11 (#6 on the day!) and the lead. Great move. Great finish.

Drew wins the next faceoff but gets trapped and is checked. Genny moves to a fast break but comes close enough for Kunkel to come out and intercept the pass. But we can’t clear! With 38 seconds remaining in the first OT we lose possession again. West Genny outlets to a middie who slams a bounce shot from the top that hits and side spins away from a surprised Kunkel and passes untouched into the net. Leads don’t last long around here! Tied. Again. 11-11.

Casino wins the opening faceoff of the second overtime period and is on fire in the circle. No one can touch him now. Willy P carries and dodges but is checked as he shoots; the ball retrieved by Brendan Morgan. Morgan works it, gets checked, regains, shoots but is blocked and Genny possesses. They come downfield and are greeted by Chris Passavia who promptly removes the ball from their possession and returns it to its rightful owner (we hope). Willy Passavia brings the clear through a gauntlet (Genny rode hard all day) and delivers to Morgan who totally fools his cover, drives alone to the cage and scoops a low shot only to hit the keepers feet! The Melville crowd inhales at the same time…with a long exhale. The Wildcats move downfield and work the offensive zone but are disrupted by Bryan Mendez with an outstanding check with Melville recovering. Great D work at a critical time.

The Patriots controll the ball on offense and draw another penalty. The movement begins and the penalty time is used up in passes when Matty Mo’ takes one more drive at the goal. Once again he is double hacked on the crease but the flag flies with 19 seconds remaining in the second overtime. The Patriots are staring at another year as number 2, not only in the State, but by some poles, in the entire country. The only way to get to the top is to win this game. Behind by one with 19 seconds to work with. But there is history here. We tied with 3 seconds in 97’. We tied from two goals down with 48 seconds in 98’. Could it be done again? There are no fans who could even hold a stick at this point, let alone play. But play they did.

Monfett starts with the ball at right crease, up to Morgan, who goes to Gerry centered and over to Willy Passavia on the left at 15 yards. He has enough space, winds up with the long stick coming at him, and unleashes another blistering Wildcat nightmare. The shot screams into the net with the keeper staring in disbelief and the Melville people going bonkers! Thirteen seconds on the clock! (but it’s Patriot time!) The score now tied. Again. 12-12! What a great time for Willy to find his range! In fact, the only one not jumping is Joe Cuozzo. He’s got plans.

Drew Casino, who hasn’t even given his opponent a whiff in the OT snatches it clean and races down Broadway and finds Preuss on his left at the blue line and hash marks and delivers on the run. Derrick looks for his options but knows its up to him. He strides and sets a full three quarter right hand rocket…fifteen yards out… (from the identical spot as Willy, seven seconds earlier). The ball whistles past the keeper who is again frozen in disbelief by another monster shot. In nanoseconds the Wildcats' dread sets in…Melville is about to do it again! Casino is crying and holding Derrick Preuss who, like the good captain that he is, sends Drew back to finish his work. He knew no one but him would touch the ball in the last six seconds.

The whistle blows, the iron clamp of Casino locks the ball and draws…4…3…2…1…STATE CHAMPIONS 1999!!!!

An incredible effort by the entire Melville team. Great games by Chris Mele, Mike Carolan, Nick Belvedere, Bryan Mendez, and Todd Cunningham in addition to those cited in the story.