Chiefs 6 - Floral Park 3

Mineola was successful in spreading the offense, getting goals from five different players. Using its team speed and athleticism, the chiefs took a commanding 4 to 1 lead in half-time. Dan Powell opened the Chief's charge by scoring the first two goals of the game, one coming on a nifty pass from Chris Ruscillo. On face-offs, Mineola was 10 out of 11. They controlled ground balls (GB) by a 2 to 1 margin, and fired 19 shots on goal. The middle lines: White - Chris Ruscillo (1 assist - 2-0 on face-offs), Campbell Goulet (1 goal - 3-1 on face-offs) and John Keyes (1 goal); Blue - Joe Grimm (1 goal - 2-0 on face-offs), Joe Salamone (3 GB), and Dylan Parzych (5 GB); Red - Brendan Krebs (3-0 on face-offs, 4 GB), Wil Kinney (2 GB), and John Mike Wozniak (1 GB); Gold - Adian Diskin (2 GB), Chris Keyes (2 GB), and John Stabile (3 GB). Scoring and physical play also came from the attack - Dan Powell (2 goals - 4 GB), Mike Scaldateri (1 goal - 6 GB), Neal Ressa, Jake Lopez (2 GB), Tom McCune (3 GB), X-man Kevin Small (3 GB), and ground ball magnet Connor Feit (7 GB). Their hustle and determination kept the pressure on Floral Park defensive players. Early in the third quarter, Floral Park scored two quick goals to close to within 5-3, but the Chiefs again played their physical and aggressive defensive, keeping Floral Park off-balance and scoreless for the rest of the third quarter and the entire fourth quarter. Mineola went at Floral Park hard, racking up seven penalties. But the solid play of its man-down unit contained Floral Park's offense on all seven chances. Members of this elite unit are: Mark Cavalaro, Omar Burns, Max Gerow, Joe Grimm and Joe Salamone. Defensively, the Chiefs played their usual efficient game, containing Floral Park's offense from start to finish. Members of this group are Mike Chase (2 GB), Luke Pacher (2 GB), John Stabile (3 GB), Charlie Clancy, Mark Cavalaro (3 GB), Max Gerow (3 GB) and Omar Burns (5 GB). Once again goalie Joe Megiel played outstanding, with 11 saves, plus crisp passes on his clears. Game balls to attackmen Dan Powell and middie John Keyes. Another outstanding effort from our third graders, who remain unbeaten at 2-0-1.

The Mineola PAL Chiefs 5th Grade Boys Lacrosse Team tied the Lynbrook Owls 4-4 on the road April 12. The tie also keeps the Chiefs undefeated season alive at 2-0-1.

The game was like a street fight. Hard hitting, bodies flying and even a little blood as our own defenseman Gavin Dowd went to the hospital in the middle of the game to get some stitches. The Owl’s goalie and our own John Clancy were like bulletproof vests stopping shot after shot. Defensemen Jake Connors, Chris Asam and Dowd carved up the Owl’s attackmen to keep the pressure off Clancy in front of the net.

Offensively, Lynbrook could not keep up with the Chiefs’ speedsters Peter McCormack, Mikey Elefonte and Kyle Dunleavy. Midfielders Brian Smith, James Gerstner and Thomas O’Connell battled hard and contributed to the domination of Lynbrook on groundballs 54 to 15. In the first half and with a man up Dominic Paggi scored the first goal of the game as the Chiefs took the lead 1-0. Then a short while later, Midfielder Brian Smith scooped up a ground ball and headed for the offensive zone. With some nifty moves Smith got around the defenders and bounced the ball past the goalie for the quick 2-0 lead. But a very talented Lynbrook team kept the pressure on the Chiefs scoring four consecutive unanswered goals to take a 4-2 lead.

The second half was just as physical as the first. The Chiefs have been their best in the fourth quarter all year long and today was no different. This time from behind the cage the talented Chiefs attackman Chris Lockwood passed the ball to a cutting Thomas O’Connell in front of the crease. With one swift motion O’Connell shot the ball past the goalie for the goal, but still trailed Lynbrook 4-3. It didn’t end there. With about a minute to go in the game O’Connell checked an Owl’s attackman and stole the ball. O’Connell then made his way to the net spinning and cutting through the defense. With one last dodge O’Connell shot the ball pasted the goalie for 4-4 game ending tie. The Mineola fans went wild as the Lynbrook fans went silent.

Other players who contributed in the comeback tie were Patrick McGowan, Jacob Correia, Alex Taveira, Gerard Boniello, Trifon Boniello, William Berger and Daniel Zabarauskas. Nice job by the Mineola coaching staff.