WARD MELVILLE 13   WEST GENESSEE 12 (OT)

1999 NEW YORK STATE CLASS A CHAMPIONS!!!

JUNE 12, 1999

This was one fabulous day of lacrosse! The Patriots were ready for their biggest test as a team, taking the big stage for all the marbles. This is as big as it gets in high school lacrosse and this contest lived up to its expectations. Two quick goals by Melville to help the Wildcats understand what they were in for. One response for a 2-1 first quarter lead. Then the wheels come off...the Pats can't clear, miss ground balls, and send passes flying. Pressure, pressure, pressure. This segment ends with a 6-4 West Genee advantage going into halftime...the Pats outscored 5-2 in the second period.

The second half opens with two quick goals from the Melville squad to tie again at 6-6! Things are looking good, they don't get rolling but outscore WG 4-1 for an 8-7 lead after 3 quarters.

The fourth quarter runs with Melville leading at 8-7, 9-8, then falls behind 10-9, and ends tied at 10-10 ! Overtime! Again!

Monfett, Preuss, Morgan, Casino, Mayer, and Raboy had done the damage so far. Melville's 3 attack men were seeing each other very well while the midfield was exploiting seams and short stick coverage. After some great saves by Kunkel the Pats worked the ball and score the first OT goal for a 11-10 lead. WG answers with two to end the first OT up one. In the second OT the Patriots work some shots including a great effort by Morgan on the crease, but they come up empty including a 30 second penalty opportunity. With 18 seconds on the clock Melville began another man-up. The ball moved from Kurt Gerry to Willy Passavia who guns a 15 yard shot past the Wildcat keeper for a 12-12 tie with 13 seconds left! Drew Casino wins the next faceoff as if there is no one else in the circle! Picks up the ball and blazes down field and delivers to Preuss on the left who cranks another 15 yarder into the net for goal 13 and the lead with 5 seconds remaining! Incredible! Two goals in 8 seconds! Still 5 seconds to go. Casino wins the clamp and the clock ticks down..4.. 3..2..1..State Champs!!

Game Awards: Derek Kunkel Time Warner MVP, Matty Mo' (6g,1a) MVP, Chris Passavia MVP

There's a lot more to this story! Please tune in later!

(to be continued)

They Play Hard! They Never Quit! They Won It All!

GO PATRIOTS!!

STATISTICS