TBy Oscar Matos ’18

The Chaminade Varsity Lacrosse team faced a tall task on Wednesday, April 27, as they looked to take down one of Long Island’s top teams, Massapequa.  While every game carries great importance for the Flyers, there was extra incentive for this contest, as the team looked to avenge last year’s 13-11 loss to the Chiefs.  After a slow start to the season, the Flyers rebounded to the tune of a four-game win streak, while Massapequa entered the match with an impressive 8-1 record.

The Flyers started the game off slowly, giving Massapequa an advantage.  The Chiefs jumped out to an early 2-0 lead and seemed to be running away with the game before the Flyers knew what had hit them.  However, Chaminade regained composure, made some necessary adjustments, and the tide turned in their favor.  Three consecutive goals, including a difficult on-the-run shot from Frankie Tangredi ’17, put the Flyers ahead with a score of 3-2.  The lead would continue to change hands throughout the remainder of the first half, and it was the Chiefs who went into the break ahead 6-4.

Chaminade came out of the half firing on all cylinders offensively.  A goal from Thomas Martello ’16 trimmed the Massapequa lead to 6-5.  This kicked off several minutes of neck-and-neck fast-paced play during which neither team was able to pull away.  The two teams traded goals throughout the third quarter.  The Flyers clawed their way back to tie the game, only for Massapequa to regain the lead once more.  By the time the third quarter came to a close, Massapequa led 8-7, and the Flyers seemed to be staring down the barrel of another gut-wrenching loss to the Chiefs.

Despite the deficit, the Flyers proved that defeat was the last thing on their minds in the fourth quarter.  Two quick goals, including Martello’s second of the game, gave Chaminade a 9-8 lead and put them in the driver’s seat in what had become one of the team’s most thrilling games of the season. Not to be outdone without a fight, Massapequa scored two goals of their own to take a 10-9 lead with minimal time left on the clock.  Just when it looked like a Flyers’ loss was inevitable, Regan Quinn ’18 managed to score between multiple defenders to tie the game at 10 with 1:30 to go.  The game remained tied for the rest of the fourth quarter, setting up a sudden death overtime period.

The majority of overtime was a staring contest during which neither team was willing to blink.  The defensive lines for both teams remained rock solid, and after several fruitless possessions for both sides, time began to run out.  Chaminade then embarked on a long, methodical possession, determined to end the game right then and there.  Eventually the patience from the Flyers forced a restless Chiefs defender to make an ill-advised foul, and Chaminade began to play a man up.  This advantage gave the Flyers the opportunity they needed, and they did not let it pass.  A goal from Joe Carney ’16 gave Chaminade an 11-10 victory to extend the team’s winning streak to five games, take down a lacrosse powerhouse and, most importantly, avenge their crushing loss from last year.