Justin Pagan fires it in for Commack. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Ward Melville first baseman Jason Stiles put the tag on shortstop M. Heller. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Luke Krzemienski makes solid contact. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Commack baseball vs. Ward Melville April 11 and 12. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Commack baseball vs. Ward Melville April 11 and 12. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Commack baseball vs. Ward Melville April 11 and 12. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Ward Melville starter Connor McFarland. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Commack baseball vs. Ward Melville April 11 and 12. Photo by Steven Zaitz
Joey Karpowicz rips a two-run double. Photo by Steven Zaitz
By Steven Zaitz
The game took 19 hours to complete, but the defending Long Island champion Commack Cougars baseball team took out the Ward Melville Patriots by a score of 8-3 this past weekend, April 11 and 12.
Suspended after 5½ innings due to darkness on Friday, April 11, Commack finished off the Patriots on Saturday despite gloomy weather conditions. Reliever Justin Pagan pitched a scoreless three innings to earn the win that improved the champion Cougars’ record to 5-1 and put them in a first-place tie in Division II with Connetquot. Ward Melville dropped to 1-2 after the loss.
Trailing 3-0 in the third, a two-run double by Pats third baseman Joe Karpowicz highlighted a three-run rally that tied the score at three. It stayed that way until the top of the sixth when the Cougars broke the game open with a 5-run frame. Cougar centerfielder Anthony Antorino hit a two-run triple in that inning that made the score 6-3. They tacked on two more runs with the help of an infield error that allowed both Antorino and catcher Robbie Mascia, who reached on a walk, to score. Ward Melville reliever Dan Cornish was charged with four runs, three of which were earned, in that decisive frame. He suffered the loss.
Ward Melville committed three errors in the game, Commack committed none.
When the game resumed on Saturday morning, Sam Kay, brother of former Commack star and current Stony Brook pitcher Evan Kay, pitched the final inning and a third and struck out three batters.
Commack has won four straight Suffolk County titles and two straight Long Island Championships. During Spring recess, they will play nonleague games against St. Anthony’s and Longwood, resuming league play on April 22 against Lindenhurst.
Ward Melville plays a three-game set against those same Lindenhurst Bulldogs on April 14, April 15 and April 19.
Both teams wore military tribute-style uniforms for the game, with Ward Melville sporting a full camouflage top and Commack, whose school colors are black and gold, wore khaki green shirts.
From left, Anthony Anatol, Luke Jantzen, Jon Seyfert and Andrew Senf after running the relay. Photo courtesy of David Seyfert
By Sabrina Artusa
The Ward Melville High School boys track team have proven themselves as formidable competitors repeatedly this season — the Ward Melville name consistently high on the rankings. In this year’s winter season, the Ward Melville Patriots upheld their reputation.
On March 8 senior Jon Seyfert stepped up to the line for the 1600-meter race telling himself that winning was the only option. Seyfert, usually calm before racing, was nervous.
Jon Seyfert running his leg of the 4 x mile relay at the New Balance Nationals. Photo courtesy of David Seyfert
He knew he wanted to give his coach and parents a state championship. His goal was to secure a position in front in the first 100 meters. Having done so, he held his position, waiting for the right moment to push ahead. In the seventh lap, he took the lead: a move that did not go unchallenged.
“Another kid comes out from [lane] three or four trying to cut off,” Seyfert said. “[He] either had to go faster or go behind me and at that point I was like, ‘I got this.’”
The other runners were unable to catch up and Seyfert, remembering his coach’s advice to run through the line, flew past it with 13 others chasing behind, making Seyfert the state champion in the mile.
He completed the mile in 4:15:68, utilizing months of hard summer and fall training to push him past the competition.
“[There was] a lot riding on it,” he said. “You don’t know how many chances you are going to get for a state championship.”
“From the time the gun went off, I couldn’t be more excited as a coach,” Coach Ryan DeLuca said. “He took his experiences from his past races and experiences and did everything right.”
From the initial positioning to mid-race strategy to patiently waiting to make the final move in the seventh lap, Deluca said the race was Seyfert’s “best executed race in four years.”
Last year, Seyfert came in second in Suffolk County’s cross-country championships. Now, he is first in the state in the indoor 1600 meters.
Having become a state champion, Seyfert said his primary goal in every race is to reach his potential. “I just want to say I couldn’t have gone any faster. I want to finish and say I gave it my all. I really did try.”
On March 8, running the 1600 meters, Seyfert tried and succeeded.
New Balance Nationals
On March 14 and 15, the Patriots were back for the New Balance Nationals for the distance medley relay and the 4x mile relay.
After not performing as well as they hoped in the distance medley relay, sophomore Andrew Senf, juniors Anthony Anatol and Luke Jantzen and Seyfert approached the 4x mile race hopeful and ready. They had trained for months,
DeLuca told his team, ‘You guys can rebound from this in a big way. And the race that didn’t go well was a good chance to flush [your] legs.”
“They came back with vengeance,” he said.
Senf was the lead-off runner. As he prepared at the line holding the baton, he endeavored to set up his teammates for a good race by getting out in front and pushing the pace in the last 300 meters. With the disappointing distance medley relay behind him, he felt that there “was no pressure” and that being at nationals was itself an accomplishment.
Senf ran a personal best and “took charge” early on, according to Seyfert, who said “it was really cool to see.” He created such a large gap between himself and the next runner that, when he handed off the baton, completing his mile in 4:26, Jantzen was in “no man’s land,” as Seyfert put it.
Jantzen, excited to race, knew that they were going to break the school’s record for this event. He visualized the race and tried to mentally prepare for the mile ahead of him.
He handed off the baton to Anatol, who held the team’s position and, with the help of Senf and Jantzen, was able to lap some of the competition. Seyfert took the baton from Anatol and finished the last leg. The four finished with a time of 17:51:90, making them 12th fastest in the country.
“After that night we came back the next day and we put it all together. We did what we were supposed to,” Jantzen said.
“A lot of what helped get us to this point is that we all have such a good dynamic as a team and not just the four of us on the team but the guys that didn’t go as well,” Senf said. “Being with the coaches and the other kids is just such a pleasure. If I were on another team I don’t know if I would find the same enjoyment. The people just make it so fun.”
For more information visit the school website: www.threevillagecsd.org.
Ward Melville running back Joey Benedetto bolts out of the back field. Bill Landon photo
The Patriots take the field in the Suffolk Division I semi-final game Friday night. Photo by Bill Landon
Joey Benedetto eyes an opening for the Patriots in the semi-final round against Longwood. Bill Landon photo
Jesse Spronck sheds a tackler for the Patriots in the semi-final round against Longwood. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville head coach Chris Boltrek. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville quarterback Hudson Philbrick on keeper for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon
Joey Karpowicz eyes the end zone for the Patriots in the semi-final round against Longwood. Bill Landon photo
Joey Karpowicz lunges for the end zone for the Patriots in the semi-final round against Longwood. Bill Landon photo
Ethan Jargo splits the uprights for the Patriots in the semi-final round against Longwood. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville quarterback Hudson Philbrick looks down field. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
No. 3 seed Ward Melville came calling on No. 2 seed, Longwood Lions, in Friday night’s Suffolk Division I football semifinals. It was a ground-and-pound battle where the Patriots nipped the Lions 14-7, punching their ticket to Saturday night’s championship final at Stony Brook University.
Longwood opened the scoring in the second quarter with a 29-yard breakaway run by Kalen Percer, but the Patriots answered in the closing seconds of the half when Joey Karpowicz plowed into the end zone on short yardage to knot the game at 7-7. Six minutes into the fourth quarter, Ward Melville running back Joey Benedetto, who piled up 186 rushing yards, punched one in on a four-yard run, and Ethan Jargo’s kick split the uprights for the 14-7 final.
Ward Melville (9-1) will square off against William Floyd (9-1) in the Suffolk Division I championship game at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 7 p.m.
The Ward Melville boys volleyball team, two-time consecutive Long Island champions. File photo
Ward Melville’s 2024 Game Day state champion cheer team. File photo
The Ward Melville girls volleyball team competes at the Long Island championship in Wantagh. File photo
The Ward Melville boys volleyball team competes at the Long Island championship in East Meadow. File photo
The Ward Melville boys volleyball team competes at the Long Island championship in East Meadow. File photo
By Steven Zaitz
Undefeated seasons, long winning streaks and milestones? Check, check, and check.
Suffolk County crowns, Long Island championships, New York State supremacy and dominating dynasties? Yes, we’ve got those too.
It has been an unprecedented, exhilarating and ultra-successful fall season for the entire Ward Melville Patriot athletic program in 2024 — and the green and gold are not even close to being done.
In what stands as one of the most impressive athletic dynasties in New York State history, the Ward Melville Lady Patriot girls soccer program won its third straight New York State Championship on Nov. 17. The team traveled to SUNY Cortland and defeated upstate Arlington 1-0 in the tournament’s final match. Senior goalkeeper Kate Ronzoni made a lunging save on a penalty kick in the dying moments of regulation to preserve the win while Adriana Victoriano scored the game’s only goal in the 62nd minute. The Lady Patriots now boast a 63-game unbeaten streak and finished 2024 with a sparkling 20-0-1 record.
Both the boys and girls volleyball teams will compete in their respective State Championship tournaments after winning Long Island titles.
The boys secured their second consecutive Long Island Championship by defeating Massapequa in a five-set marathon in East Meadow on Nov. 15. They were led by senior Kyle Fagan, who earlier this fall recorded the 1,000th kill of his high school career. Now, the team heads to Albany to face upstate powers such as Penfield and Shenendehowa. After falling in the round-robin stage last year, the boys hope for a different result in 2024 bolstered by the valuable experience gained in 2023.
Fagan, who will attend Penn State next year, appreciates being part of Ward Melville’s winning tradition.
“It’s really cool being a part of a program that is so successful across the board. By being part of this program, it sets the expectation of excellence which I believe pushes its athletes and teams to work harder and do better. And so far, most teams have lived up to or exceeded these expectations,” he said.
The girls volleyball team will compete for a state title in Glens Falls this weekend against yet-to-be-determined opponents. Senior Emma Bradshaw, a Gettysburg College commit, led the team to victory over Plainview-Old Bethpage last week in Wantagh with 22 kills. The Lady Patriots dropped the first set, 22-25, but rallied to sweep the next three, 25-18, 25-23 and 25-20, earning a trip upstate. They remain flawless at 20-0 this season.
The football team advanced to the county final after two playoff wins. The Patriots will take a short trip to LaValle Stadium at Stony Brook University to face the William Floyd Colonials. The Colonials, talented and determined, are still smarting from a 21-20 loss to Ward Melville earlier this season. In that game, Floyd coach Paul Longo opted to go for a two-point conversion with no time left, but Ward Melville’s defense forced an incompletion, handing Floyd its only loss of the year and setting off joyous bedlam at Ward Melville stadium.
The Patriots reached the county final by defeating Longwood 14-7 last Friday, despite being dominated by the Lions in the regular season matchup 35-7. Sophomore quarterback Hudson Philbrick has been a key contributor this season, throwing 14 touchdown passes against seven interceptions. Excluding the loss to Longwood, the Patriots’ defense has held opponents to 14 points or fewer in seven of nine games this season.
While on the subject of football and game days, the cheer squad traveled to Hudson Valley Community College in Troy earlier this month and won a New York State Class A title in the Game Day Cheer competition, improving on its second-place finish in 2023. They earned the Suffolk County Championship in Game Day the previous week, outperforming local competition at Sachem North High School. Chalk up another county and state title for Patriot Nation.
The boys cross-country team also made history, capturing the Suffolk County Championship at Sunken Meadow for the first time in 51 years. Seven runners advanced to the state finals in Queensbury, just south of Lake George. Senior Jon Seyfert led the way, finishing 12th in the 5K race with a time of 15:41.70 while teammate Anthony Anatol placed 22nd with a time of 15:51.20. Andrew Senf, Matteo Ritieni, Tim Brown and Matt Fumai also represented the green and gold. Elizabeth Wright qualified on the girls’ side, finishing 45th overall in 19:13.80.
The Patriot field hockey team, a perennial powerhouse, made headlines by defeating the dynastic Northport Lady Tigers in the Suffolk semi-finals 1-0. Peyton Phillips scored the game-winning penalty stroke in the final minute, marking the first time in five years Ward Melville eliminated Northport in the playoffs. The Lady Patriots ultimately fell to Sachem East 1-0 in the county final. But they have made it to the Suffolk County finals for five consecutive years.
If you’re keeping score, that’s two state championships with two more pending, five Suffolk County championships and the football team aiming for a sixth. Add a program-wide winning percentage exceeding 90% and Ward Melville High School has firmly established itself as Long Island’s premier athletic powerhouse this fall.
“There has definitely been a buzz around the school and the community,“ said Ward Melville Athletic Director Kevin Finnerty. “We’ve been very successful over the years and many of our teams succeed year after year, but this year has been exceptional. We have great support from the community and the school district but most importantly our coaching staff. We have a very passionate and experienced coaching staff and they take a lot of pride in what they do.”
So far in 2024, Patriot Nation has countless reasons to be proud.
Brooke Raber from the service line, for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
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Michaela Legge with a kill shot for the Patriots. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
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Izzy Ruehle from the service line. Photo by Bill Landon. COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
Ward Melville’s Keira Kenny with a kill shot for the Patriots in a home game Saturday afternoon. Photo by Bill Landon COPYRIGHT BILL LANDON
By Bill Landon
The Ward Melville girls volleyball squad finished last year’s regular season , atop the League I leaderboard.
With several core players returning, on Sept. 4, the Patriots opened their 2024 campaign with a 3-0 sweep of William Floyd, and followed it up with another dominant performance at home, that Saturday. The Patriots’ attack was overwhelming, as they blanked Central Islip 25-7, 25-8, 25-2.
Ward Melville maintained the momentum by beating their hosts, Walt Whitman, 3-0, Sept. 9.
Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss pushes up-field in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
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Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss pushes up-field in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Robert Hauss heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Owen Haviland heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Wilman Castellon battles for possession in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Sawyer Meckley settles the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Jack Zazzera heads the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Justin Clarke heads the ball in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Jack Salgado clears the ball in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior goalie David McElroy makes another save in the Suffolk class AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Justin Clarke heads the ball in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior goalie David McElroy makes the save in the Suffolk AAA final against Brentwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Owen Haviland battles for possession midfield. Photo by Bill Landon
By Bill Landon
The Patriots of Ward Melville (No. 3) entered the final round of the Suffolk Class AAA championship soccer game against undefeated Brentwood, who had an 18-0 record and were looking to keep their spotless season intact.
Patriots senior midfielder Wilman Castellon was the spark for their offense when he drilled a scissor kick that stretched the net giving Ward Melville the lead with eight minutes left in the opening half.
Brentwood, finding itself in the unusual position of trailing at the halftime break, got down to business. In keeping the pressure upfield and scoring three unanswered goals, they clinched the Suffolk Class AAA championship game, 3-1, at Patchogue-Medford High School Thursday Nov. 2.
Ward Melville senior goalkeeper David McElroy had two saves in net.
Ward Melville wrapped up its 2023 campaign with an impressive 13-3-2 record, concluding the varsity careers of its 15 seniors.
Ward Melville’s Madden Murphy wins at “X” in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Madden Murphy wins at “X” in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville’s Madden Murphy wins at “X” in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport scores. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore Logan Cash passes behind the cage in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport freshman midfielder Luke Loiacono fires at the cage in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport freshman midfielder Luke Loiacono from behind the cage in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Nick Gaffney rips a shot on goal in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Loose ball in the Suffolk division I semi-final playoff game May 24. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport midfielder Luca Elmaleh grabs possession in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Nik Barbero uncorks a shot on goal in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Nik Barbero scores while falling down in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport longstickman Giancarlo Valenti pushes up-field in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport senior defenseman Andrew Miller heads towards the cage in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore attack Jack Deliberti splits the pipes in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport freshman midfielder Luke Loiacono dives for a loose ball in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior defender Michael Stellwagen breaks up-field in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round at home against Northport. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore attack Jack Deliberti scores in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Full house. Photo by Bill Landon
Northport sophomore Logan Cash rips a shot at the cage in the Suffolk Div-1 semi-final round against Ward Melville. Photo by Bill Landon
Victory in hand. Photo by Bill Landon
Tigers WIN! Photo by Bill Landon
The Ward Melville Patriots hosted the Northport Tigers in the semi-final round and managed to stay within striking distance through the first two quarters of play, looking to avenge their one-point loss to the Tigers earlier in the season, but faltered in the second half.
Northport freshman Luke Loiacono with a dominant performance beyond his years, topped the scoring chart for the Tigers with five goals along with an assist with teammate Luca Elmaleh’s three goals proved too much for the Patriots slamming the door for the 13-4 victory, Wednesday afternoon May 24.
Northport senior goalie Mike Tittman had 12 saves on the day.
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp rifles a shot on goal in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Andrew Belli splits the pipes in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville attackman Trevor Murray with a behind the back shot on goal against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Trevor Murray looks for an opening in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville goalie Charlie Giachetti makes another save in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville attackman Stephen Rosano from behind the cage in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville attackman Stephen Rosano pushes past a defender in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Brody Morgan shoots in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Trevor Murray looks for a cutter in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
It was a wet one.
Ward Melville goalie Charlie Giachetti makes the save in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville goalie Charlie Giachetti makes the save in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville attackman Stephen Rosano looks for a cutter in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Aidan Valeiko pushes up-field in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Dan Cosentino fires at the cage in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Brody Morgan fires at the cage in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville midfielder Brody Morgan charges past a defender in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville attackman Zack Brittman pushes up the left sideline in a home game against Longwood. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville rattled off four unanswered goals before the Longwood Lions found the net in the final minutes of the second quarter in the Suffolk Division I quarterfinals on a wet Saturday afternoon. The Patriots held Longwood to a single goal the rest of the way as they cruised to a 10-2 victory punching their ticket to the semi-final round.
Seniors Nik Barbero and Andrew Belli both scored twice as did Brody Morgan. Filling out the scoreboard were teammates Jaron Popp, Aidan Valeiko, Stephen Rosano and Madden Murphy, who each found the back of the net. Goalie Charlie Giachetti had 10 saves on the day.
The win lifted the Patriots to 13-4 who faced Northport, the No.3 seed, at home Wednesday May 24. Results were not available at press time.
Ward Melville sophomore Julia Dank breaks free up the left sideline in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Johnna Rosenth sees and opening in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Pixabay photo
Flag football fans. Bill Landon photo
Patriot huddle. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Julia Dank in on the “tackle” in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville quarterback Kaitlyn Lawrence throws deep in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Ophelia Rosenth makes the catch in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lydia Cuff catches the sideline pass in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville senior Lydia Cuff pushes up the right sideline in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville freshman Anja Rosenth breaks free up the right sideline in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Julia Dank scores for the Patriots in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Julia Dank breaks free down the left sideline in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Timeout Ward Melville. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville quarterback Kaitlyn Lawrence throws over the middle in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville sophomore Julia Dank plows past a defender in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville quarterback Kaitlyn Lawrence on the sideline in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
Ward Melville freshman Anja Rosenth scrambles out of the backfield and turns up-field in a home game against Eastport South Manor. Photo by Bill Landon
With two games of the inaugural flag football season left, the Patriots of Ward Melville (5-1-1), in second place one game behind top seeded Patchogue, hosted the Sharks of Eastport-South Manor (3-4) in a League II matchup May 9.
The Patriots struck first when sophomore Julia Dank broke free and went the distance for the score 10 minutes into the opening half followed by a touchdown pass from Kaitlyn Lawrence to Lydia Cuff to make it a two-score game. Eastport-South Manor answered when they scored with 16 seconds left and with the point after, trailed 12-7 at the halftime break. Dank scored again to open the second half on a 22-yard run but again Ward Melville failed at the point after attempt, to edge ahead 18-7. Both teams traded touchdowns late in the game, but Ward Melville slammed the door shut winning 25-13.
The Patriots retake the field May 11 with a road game against William Floyd before post season play begins Tuesday, May 16.
Ward Melville senior Charlie Giachetti with one of his thirteen saves for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Nik Barbero scores for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Injury timeout. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Trevor Murray scores for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Trevor Murray shoots for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior midfielder Andrew Belli shoots for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Charlie Giachetti with a kick save for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Charlie Giachetti with another save for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Madden Murphy wins another one at “X” for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior midfielder Andrew Belli scores for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville midfielder Brody Morgan grabs a loose ball from the scrum for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville midfielder Thomas Murphy grabs a loose ball for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Trevor Murray clears the ball for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Charlie Giachetti with another save for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Nik Barbero splits the pipes for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Jaron Popp pushes up-field for the Patriots in a home game against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville senior Charlie Giachetti with a save for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Loose ball midfield. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville junior Madden Murphy wins at “X” for the Patriots at home against Connetquot. Bill Landon photo
Ward Melville broke out to a three nothing lead in the opening quarter thanks to a pair of goals by Nik Barbero along with teammate Stephen Rosano, who scored with minutes left in the opening quarter, but the Patriots soon saw that lead evaporate. Connetquot surged back rattling off three unanswered goals to close out the first half making it a new game. Ward Melville trailed 7-6 to open the final 12 minutes of play but Ward Melville outscored their visitors to close out regulation with both teams deadlocked at nine goals each forcing overtime. With 55 seconds left in the overtime period it was the hat trick by Barbero that decided the game when his shot found its mark to win the game, 10-9, Saturday, April 15 in the Division I matchup.
Rosano topped the scoring chart for the Patriots with two goals and two assists. Barbero followed with his three goals, and Trevor Murray and Zach Brittman each scored along with one assist. Ward Melville goalie Charlie Giachetti, a senior, had a busy day in net where he tallied 13 saves.
The win lifts the Patriots to 5-0 in their division 5-2 overall. The Patriots retook the field Wednesday, April 19 with a road game against Middle Country at Newfield High School. Results were not available at press time.
