The Mineola Chiefs sixth grade lacrosse team had a great opening day be beating the Bayville Hawks with a score of 4 - 3. In an exciting game, where after two quarters Mineola fell behind 3 - 1, they came storming back in the second half to score three unanswered goals.

Goalie Bruce Defino, making 13 saves, along with a strong effort by the defense kept Mineola close in the game. Despite falling behind early in the game, the Chiefs remained focused. Behind crease defenseman Shamar Stephen, who led the way with bit hit after big hit, and with Brian Vesely and Kyle Krass clearing the ball from their zone, Mineola was able to keep the Hawks from scoring. Also performing well in his first game was defenseman Joe Annunziata.

Offensively, all Mineola could master in the first half was a beautiful goal scored by attackman Louis Flaherty. Mineola picked up their intensity level in the second half and dominated Bayville limiting them to four shots while amassing 16. Early in the third quarter, attackman Connor McCann let loose a wicked shot and beat the Bayville goalie to pull Mineola to within one goal. The rest of the quarter, Mineola kept the pressure on Bayville but could not beat their goalie. Attackman Chris Olsen kept battling for loose balls along with midfielders Ryan Gillooley, John Sullivan and Troy Kerney, keeping the ball in Bayville territory.

Midway through the fourth quarter, attackman Paul Krumholz made a great pass from behind the cage to midfielder Jack Lehmann, who finished off the play with a nice shot, tying the game 3 - 3. Applying constant pressure, midfielders Kevin McCann, Joey Purcell and Greg Tannenbaum along with attackman Philip Schreiber kept Bayville busy in their own end.

With about three minutes left in the game midfielder Rocco Redmond won the face-off, took the ball down the middle, and scored the tie-breaking goal putting Mineola ahead 4 to 3. Final shots on goal was Mineola 25, Bayville 16.

A solid team effort contributed to this season-opening win.