MELVILLE 10   SACHEM 2 

April 28, 2001

The two time defending NYS Champion Ward Melville Patriots put together their best game of the season to defeat their talented and determined rivals, the Sachem Flaming Arrows, 10-2, in a prime-time game under the lights in front of 2,000 cheering fans.

Melville had plenty of "Senior moments" with Co-Captains Ferraro, Gentilesco, Kelaher, Miaritis and Monfett providing the leadership to dominate the contest… Shane Ferraro excelled at face-offs winning 9 of 14 and assisting on a goal. John Salvesen played well (1 goal) both on offense and defense, and Billy Jautze scored twice to help the Patriots seal this important win.

The key to Melville’s success was their best defensive effort of the year. All- County Goalie Nick Gentilesco made 7 saves, while getting plenty of help from the long poles who limited Sachems total shots to just a handful. The defensive unit featured All- County Ryan Kelaher (1 Goal), Senior Jay Rapisarda, and earning his first Varsity start, Junior Doug Seale, who was solid in keeping the Flaming Arrows from getting near the cage.

The Patriots opened the scoring with All-American Attackman Matt Monfett

(3 goals, 1 assist) scoring unassisted at 8:02 of the 1^st period. Just 36 seconds later, Rookie Sophomore Midfielder Mike Ward put one by Sachem Goalkeeper Matt Darak on an assist from fellow Rookie Sophomore Attackman Dave Schwartzberg (1 goal, 2 assists). Ward played his most confident game of the season, taking good shots and picking up several ground balls. Monfett scored Melville’s 3^rd goal unassisted at 6:03 of the 1^st, giving the Patriots a 3-0 lead and causing Sachem Head Coach Rick Mercurio to call a time-out to settle his club.

The time-out did slow the pace with Melville not scoring goal 4 until 7:35 of the second period when Billy Jautze (2 goals) scored from the crease, assisted by All-League Midfielder Miaritis (1 goal, 2 assists). Melville’s 5^th goal featured Defenseman Ryan Kelaher breaking up field and catching a bullet pass from teammate, Junior long pole Thomas Theodorakis. Kelaher then raced straight to the cage and put one by a stunned Sachem Goalkeeper with just 58 seconds remaining. Melville went in at half-time leading 5-0 and with the momentum clearly on their side of the field.

Melville came out where they left off… just 40 seconds into the 3^rd, Schwartzberg picked up a loose ball in front and put it in the cage for goal #6. Goals 7, 8 and 9 came within 1 minute, 22 seconds of each other, making the score 9-0 Melville.

Goal 7 was scored by Jautze from Ferraro; #8 came from Miaritis, who fired a rocket waist high, passed Sachem’s Darak, on a good look from Monfett. It was the first time in 5 games that Monfett found Miaritis waiting for a feed, as Miaritis has been side lined with an injury. Monfett put in goal 9 on a nice look from Schwarzberg.

Again Coach Mercurio called time-out to slow the surging Patriots. His team finally responded with an unassisted goal by All-County Senior Attackman Jamie Lovejoy at 1:22 of the 3^rd.

With just 28 seconds left in the 3^rd, Coach Cuozzo called on the man-up team to take control. Miaritis brought the ball into play and held it until the 10 second mark when he dodged to the cage, looked up and found Salvesen wide-open 8 yards in front, Salvesen ripped one passed Darak with 2 seconds left to end the 3^rd at 10-1 Melville.

As the 4^th quarter began, Coach Cuozzo called on his talented corp of players who gained valuable experience in a pressure filled game as Melville looks to regain its top form.

Sachem’s Junior Midfielder Ryan Schoening, who played hard all game, scored the Arrows second goal unassisted at 7:14 of the 4^th quarter, to make the final score 10-2 Melville.

Congratulations to both teams on a well played game and thanks to our hosts, the Sachem Flaming Arrows, for their good sportsmanship and hospitality.

The Patriots return to action at home on Tues., May 1, at 4pm vs. Longwood.

Goals- WM- Monfett (3), Jautze (2), Ward, Kelaher, Schwartzberg, Miaritis,

Salvesen… S- Lovejoy, Schoenig

Assists: WM- Miairits(2), Schwartzberg (2), Monfett, Ferraro

Saves: WM- Gentilesco (7)… S- Darak (5)

Faceoffs: WM- 9/14; Ferraro 9/12, Middleton 0/3

S- 5/14; Schoenig 2/10, Mauro 3/4