toplaxrecruits.com
toplaxrecruits.com -
By Jaclynkelli Kronemberg
TopLaxRecruits.com
NORTHPORT, N.Y. – Jake McCulloch scored off a Dan Bucaro feed with 1:19 to play, lifting Ward Melville to an 11-10 win over Northport today in a Section 11 (Suffolk County) Class A semifinal.
Jake McCullough
Ward Melville (17-2), the No. 4 seed, advances to meet Smithtown East (a 17-11 winner over Smithtown West) in the Section 11 championship game on Wednesday at Stony Brook (5:30 p.nm.).
Top-seeded Northpoirt closes at 17-2.
McCullough had three goals and an assist to offset five goals by Michael Trainor and avenge a 7-6 loss to the Tigers on April 22.
“Northport is a great team,” said McCulloch. “They beat us at our place in the regular season so we wanted to get back at them for that.
“There were a lot of runs in this game. We got lucky to get that one shot at the end and come out on top.”
Dan Bucaro
On the game-winner, McCullough credited Bucaro.
“Danny did a great job drawing two guys and I just stepped into the soft spot and shot it past the goalie,” McCullough said. “We’ve done that a million times, me and Dan. We are confident. If we play our game we are a pretty tough team to beat.”
Ward Melville led, 3-0 after one period, but the Tigers used a 5-0 run to seize a 6-5 halftime lead. The Patriots then used their own 5-0 spurt to go ahead 10-7. Northport responded with its own 3-0 surge to tie it on Trainor’s fifth goal with 6:58 remaining.
“This was an unbelievable team effort,” said Bucaro. “I can’t believe this right now. It all feels surreal. We all came together at the end. That is what we have to keep on doing, just play four quarters and we will get it done.”
Corey Aviles (one assist), Eddie Munoz and Connor Grippe each scored two goals for Ward Melville.
“The boys did a great job,” said Ward Melville head coach Jay Negus. “We gave up a couple leads. Hats off to Northport; they did a great job.”
Austin Henningsen won 22 of 25 face-offs for Northport and helped his team own the possessions.
“Their face-off guy is unbelievable,” said Negus. “They had a ton of possessions. We were talking all year about winning individual matchups all over the field, whether it be a ground ball, a shot or a slide and we did it at the end when it counted so I’m just real happy for the boys. They have been working hard all year and it’s a testament to them. They’ve done a great job.”
Nick Roros had three goals and Jake Carrol tallied five assists for Northport.
“I thought it was a superior game,” said Northport head coach Greg Searing. “This was two high level teams going back and forth.
“I don’t think you’re going to find better high school lacrosse then this anywhere in the country.”
Ward Melville 11; Northport 10
WM: 4-1-5-1-11
NP: 1-5-1-3-10
WM: Jake McCulloch 3G, 1A; Corey Aviles 2G, 1A; Eddie Munoz 2G; Connor Grippe 2G; Dan Bucaro 1G, 4A; Young Hur 1G; Christopher Grillo 1A
NP: Michael Trainor 5G; Nick Roros 3G, 1A; Rocco Sutherland 1G, 1A; Jack Sullivan 1G; Jake Carrol 5A; Finn Goonan 1A
Saves: DJ Kellerman (WM) 7; Scott Hatch (NP) 6; Billy Kelly (NP) 3
The post .@LacrosseWM tops @NorthportLax, 11-10, to advance to NY Section 11 Class A finals appeared first on toplaxrecruits.com.