WARD MELVILLE 17      WEST BABYLON 5

MAY 14, 1999

All the fans fondly remember John Karcher "the vacuum" sucking up ground balls last year. The guy designated to fill his shoes this year has been Mike Carolan. This is no simple task given Karcher's outstanding level of play. Mike started the season with talent and promise but not quite the skills or experience. To his credit and his teammate's benefit he has continued to work diligently to improve and it's showing. Last night Mike, along with Willy Passavia, flanked Drew Casino for the opening faceoff. With the draw won Melville had to fight for control in WB's side of the field as Mike and Willy converged to the ball to help Casino. Carolan successfully scoops it up and heads towards the goal, takes his opportunity and fires the first shot home for the opening goal of the game! Well done Mike and keep on working. This seems to be how the entire team is applying themselves on a daily basis. It's central to their combined success.

Casino wins the following faceoff cleanly and drives to the box initiating a rapid passing sequence to goal #2 with only 18 ticks off the clock. Yes, WM found West Babylon's seams very quickly. Two goals in 18 seconds. WBab scores the next one ten seconds later to wake up the defense. The long sticks shake it off and they all go back to work. Faceoff work was outstanding once again with Chris Biel at 9 of 10 and Casino at 11 of 14 with each them scoring convincing goals in the game. There were thirteen assists in the game to help sharpshooters Matt Monfett (7g,1a) and Derrick Preuss (5g,3a) work their magic. This is unselfish team play with one unified objective... to finish a given play with a Melville goal. DeCollibus and Billy Pohmer also scored for the Patriots. (See stats below story). Cunningham, Gerry, Raboy, and Mayer all with great assists.

As fan's we naturally gravitate to goals and saves. It's the same in every sport. As you spend more time following any particular sport you grow to appreciate how a team creates it's opportunities. In high school lacrosse it is easy to overlook the midfield. But a look at West Genny will tell you how important it can be to have 6+ skilled and conditioned athletes to play end to end. Melville's starting midfield of Biel, Casino, Gerry, Mayer, Passavia, and Raboy are offering a balance that is rare at Melville. In this game there are no individual stats for the work these boys do unless they have the last feed before the shot or the goal itself (it's rare to count ground balls at this level). But watch closely, the ground balls, passing sequences, defensive takeaways, and possession help weld together Melville's scorching attack and vaunted defensive scheme. Again, they keep getting better. More work, better results. Keep it going.

Tonight the midfield controlled and the 6 man attack picked their opposition apart with movement and took quick advantage of any opportunity. Occasionally the boys got a little overanxious and unsettled but those moments were brief. Chris Passavia keying the defense with hard work from linemates Bryan Mendez and Ryan Kellaher. All in all Melville played well although they slowed significantly in the second half with the game well in hand. Nick Belvedere, Shane Ferraro, Steve Cartier, Ian Applegate, Magro, Funt, O'Dwyer, and other Patriots showed their talent during the second half, working the ball well and with confidence. They can certainly play the game.

This team is good. The competition is good. This ain't Kansas.

No Pain No Gain? No work. No win.

STATISTICS