Patriots Let One Get Away! Heartbreaking Loss ... Up 9-4 at Half...Down 12-13 at End!
Northport scores winner as Time Evaporates!

The Ward Melville vs. Northport game lived up to its build up as THE classic annual  Suffolk County rivalry between two undefeated teams right down to the last second of the game. Unfortunately for the Patriots, they came up one goal short when Northport scored on a ‘Hail Mary’ underhand shot from the restraining line as the clock ticked :01, :00… What a way to end a game that started with the Patriots taking it to the Tigers early on and convincingly won the first half of play, only to let it slip away in the second half.

For a refreshing change, the Patriots started hot in the 1^st quarter and kept up the pressure early. Patriots fans knew this would be a key to winning against the defending State Champion Tigers. Both teams were a bit nervous in the first few minutes, but then senior attackman Jon Matsui settled in for WM and hit for the game’s first goal at the 8:00 minute mark, assisted by junior attackman David Schwartzberg. Northport scored the next two with one by Empire Team midfielder Kyle Dowd who went in unassisted. The Patriots came right back, however, with three more of their own with each attackman, Schwartzberg, Matsui, and senior Peter Kasper contributing goals, the last with a nifty feed by Matsui. End 1^st quarter WM 4 Northport 2. It’s feels like a tight, hard fought, close game, everything it was supposed to be.

The 2^nd quarter unleashed what soon would  become a faceoff clinic by Empire Team junior midfielder Drew Thompson for Northport, who started to dominate the faceoffs. However, the WM defense led by senior defensemen Thomas Theodorakis, Doug Seale, and Brian Lange, and senior goalie Ricky Freud denied the Tigers many offensive possessions and Freud caught fire stopping shots at point blank range. Kasper scored unassisted for WM with Northport defenders all over him. Schwartzberg scored with an assist from senior Ed Rogan, then Northport scored the next two goals. Thompson was still picking up the faceoffs, WM even tried Thomas Theordorakis (long stick) on him. But the momentum really moved in the Patriots direction for the quarter when junior midfielder Ryan Preuss had a  short stick defender on him and took him to the cage with some quick footed moves. Matsui put on his magic for 2 more goals, one assisted by senior midfielder John Keysor.  The 1^st half ended with the Patriots fans ecstatic with Melville ahead 9 – 4.Can this be real?? Yes, folks, the 2002 Patriots are FOR REAL!!

In a turnaround for the Patriots this year, the 3^rd quarter was dominated by the opponent,

instead of Ward Melville. The Pats were outscored 5 –1 for the period, but it could have been more if not for goalie Ricky Freud who made save after save. But the quarter belonged to Empire State attackman for Northport Brett Caretsky who scored 4 of the 5 goals in the period for Northport. WM added a huge goal, however, to keep ahead when Ryan Preuss made good on his signature fast feet move scoring unassisted for the Pats 10^th goal. End 3^rd quarter WM 10 Northport 9.  The momentum swung in the Tigers direction, but WM’s fans were sure we could come out ahead.

The 4^th quarter was as intense as ever with thrilling action on both ends of the field which included hard shots, physical play, and penalties by both teams. Caretsky scored the Tigers 10^th goal and it was all tied at 10 apiece. At 6:00 minutes, Kasper scores with assist from Matsui for WM’s 11^th goal.. The next three minutes featured big shots, saves by both goalies, and at 3:00 minutes Matsui got crunched in the crease, Northport penalty 1:00 minute. WM could not take advantage with some errant passes in the man-up, and Thompson scored unassisted man down to take the lead for the Tigers. Caretsky scores for Northport with Dowd’s  assist, but John Keysor comes up big for the Pats after winning the faceoff and senior Kevin Sullivan picks up a ground ball and dishes off to Jon Matsui who whipped a pinpoint assist to a cutting John Keysor. All tied at 12. The stage is set for the final 40 seconds of play. Keysor wins a face after junior midfielder Michael Ward fights for a groundball, and Schwartzberg fires a bullet that hits a Tiger’s helmet and out of bounds. Melville loses the next possession, however, and Northport calls a time-out with :08 seconds to play. Northport takes the inbound play to the restraining line and attackman Kyle Herrman takes the final ‘Hail Mary’ shot that somehow finds the net for the game winner.

An unbelievable finish to a great game played by both teams. Obviously, the boys were down after their dramatic loss, but the good news is that the Pats showed they are for real and can play straight up against the reigning state champs.

WE WILL SEE NORTHPORT AGAIN IN THE PLAYOFFS…

WM plays Darien, CT  Sat May 04, 8:00 p.m. at the Patriots home Field.

Please be there to support your Patriots 2002!

Go Patriots!

FACE-OFFS