Allowing one goal in a New York State girls lacrosse final was unheard of — until Saturday, that is.
Clichés carry a lot of truth. That’s how they become clichés. What Mattituck/Southold achieved this past weekend is further evidence that defense does indeed win championships.
Make that an awful good defense. READ
As the girls stepped off the bus back at Mattituck High School Saturday night, “We are the Champions” began to blare over a portable speaker. The girls on the Mattituck/Southold girls lacrosse team began singing along as friends and family that had gathered to welcome home the state champions snapped photos. READ
First they survived, and then they thrived.
That was the interesting path Mattituck/Southold took to its first high school girls lacrosse state championship. READ
South Jefferson did a remarkable job of defense, face guarding Mattituck/Southold’s Riley and Mackenzie Hoeg in Friday’s New York State Class D girls lacrosse semifinal. The Hoeg sisters, who have combined for 155 points this year, were held to no points.
That’s right. Zero. Nada. Zilch.
But there was one Hoeg South Jefferson didn’t account for. READ
The Pleasantville Panthers had their pawprints all over this one.
Except, perhaps, for the first quarter. READ
The Mattituck/Southold Tuckers are back where they want to be.
Since Mattituck’s six-goal loss to Bronxville in last year’s New York State Class D girls lacrosse semifinals, the Tuckers have been itching to return to that stage. “Ever since that loss I think it’s been our motivation,” said senior midfielder Jane DiGregorio.
On Sunday they got their wish. READ
In the tradition of championship lacrosse teams, the Mattituck Tuckers raced onto the Hofstra Stadium field to mob, hug and congratulate their goalie, Shaun Howell, after securing the Long Island Class D boys title Saturday morning. READ
Call them Hoegie’s heroes.
That would be a reference to sisters Mackenzie and Riley Hoeg as well as their cousin, Claudia Hoeg, not to mention the rest of the Mattituck/Southold girls lacrosse team. READ
With scant seconds remaining in a tightly contested match, Dane Reda flipped the ball as high as he could to make sure no Babylon player could get it. (more…)
Patience is not only a virtue, but to play winning lacrosse, it just may be a necessity.
Both coaches clearly understood that, spending a good deal of their time on the sideline Saturday morning, reminding their players to remain patient when they had the ball. Mount Sinai’s Al Bertolone repeatedly yelled out the “p” word. “Patience! Patience!” he implored. “Stay patient!” READ
